Lithium/Risperidone combo--weight gain - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

hopetofeelwell1 · 05-09-2009, 07:37 PM

Hi all! As I have said in my previous posts, I take a combination of Lithium and Risperidone and so far it's worked welll for my mood up until recently. The problem that I'm having with my mood is that I feel like a beached whale taking this stuff! I have packed on about 12 lbs. since I've started these two and my ankles feel a little swollen. I almost crave salt and liquid all the time and my stomach bothers me from time to time. I'm having bloodwork done this week to check thyroid and prolactin, so if these areas are off I'll soon find out. Has anyone else suffered with these symptoms? Thanks so much! Hopeto--

dreams in neon · 05-09-2009, 07:48 PM

Hopeto,

I've been taking Risperdal for the past 2 years and gained quite a bit of weight on it. I was also taking Depakote at the time, so I don't know exactly how much weight I gained in respect to each med. (I gained 30 pounds in one year, but lost it all after several depressive episodes.)

Weight gain is a well-known side effect of Risperdal. I would let your pdoc know about your concerns regarding weight.

If you are taking Risperdal as a mood stabilizer or an antipsychotic, you could always switch to Geodon which is also a dual acting mood stabilizer/antipsychotic and does not cause weight gain.