How To Lose Weight Gained From Zyprexa

How to Lose Weight Gained From Zyprexa

Apr 26, 2011 | By Erin Beck

Zyprexa, or olanzapine, may cause substantial weight gain in some people. Zyprexa is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Make sure your doctor knows about your weight gain. Weigh yourself regularly. Talk to your doctor about weight-control strategies.

Step 1

Monitor calorie intake. Because Zyprexa may increase appetite, consume plenty of fiber-rich foods to feel full. Examples of high-fiber foods include raspberries, pears, whole-wheat spaghetti, barley, split peas, lentils, artichokes and black beans.

Step 2

Exercise more often. Exercise can help prevent weight gain because it burns calories. Find an activity that you enjoy, so you'll be more likely to stick with it. Exercise also has mental health benefits.

Step 3

Ask your doctor about adding the drug metformin or modafinil to your treatment plan. Metformin is a drug that helps to regulate glucose in your blood and may help prevent Zyprexa-induced weight gain, found a 2008 study published by Ren-Rong Wu and colleagues in the "American Journal of Psychiatry." Modafinil is a drug used to increase wakefulness in individuals with sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy. It may also reduce weight gain in people taking Zyprexa, according to a 2009 study published by James Roerig and colleagues in "Biological Psychiatry."

Step 4

Participate in an established weight loss program, such as Weight Watchers. These programs may result in weight loss in patients with schizophrenia who have Zyprexa-related weight gain, according to a 2001 study published by M. Patricia Ball and colleagues in "Psychiatric Services." In this study, the effect was only found in men.

Step 5

Ask your doctor about switching medications if weight gain is excessive. Ziprasidone is another atypical antipsychotic with less chance of weight gain.