Risperdal, the brand name for the medication risperidone, is an antipsychotic medication used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. It helps control mood swings, hallucinations, delusions and disorganized thinking. One of the side effects of this medication may be weight gain. The exact amount of weight gain can vary among individuals, and some individuals may not gain any weight. If you are on Risperdal and want to lose weight, talk with your doctor about safe and healthy actions you can take to minimize weight gain and promote weight loss.
Step 1
Participate in regular physical activity. It is not always easy to start an exercise routine if you are struggling with mania, depression or a mood disorder, but staying active can help prevent weight gain from Risperdal and help you lose weight. It can also help boost mood and alleviate fatigue, which can be a side effect of many medications. PsychEducation.org suggests starting with walking just 10 minutes a day and adding on to that.
Step 2
Talk with your doctor about changing your medication or adjusting the dosage. According to PsychEducation.org, a newer form of the antipsychotic Zyprexa, called Zydis, has been shown to cause less weight gain than other antipsychotics, and some patients even lost weight. This may not be appropriate for you, but your doctor can review your medication options with you to find something that may be effective without the weight gain.
Step 3
Eat more plant-based foods. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are often lower in calories and fat than foods that are not plant-based. These foods also tend to be lower on the glycemic index, or GI, meaning they do not cause a sharp rise in blood sugar. Foods high on the GI can cause weight gain if consumed in excess. Foods low on the GI have been shown to improve mood, MayoClinic.com says.
Step 4
Choose lower-calorie, lower-fat versions of your favorite foods. Use turkey bacon instead of bacon, reduce the amount of sugar you use in baking, and find low-sodium versions of high-sodium foods like soy sauce and soups, MayoClinic.com suggests. Taking better care of your physical health can help boost your overall feelings of wellness.
References
- PsychEducation.org: Bipolar Medications and Weight Gain
- MayoClinic.com: Weight Loss: 6 Strategies for Success
- MayoClinic.com: Healthy Recipes: A Guide to Ingredient Substitutions
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Risperdal
- MayoClinic.com; The Food and Mood Connection; Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.; May 2009
