I just started taking Abilify, hoping it doesn't cause me to gain weight or screw up my creativity or anything. I didn't have any problems like that on Geodon and even lost a little bit of weight on it so hopefully this follows in its footsteps. I was even on the highest recommended daily dose of Geodon (160mg) taking it all in one go and still didn't gain weight thank god. Had to be taken off that though because it started causing chest pains.
I have found that Abilify causes significant weight gain. I only take a very small dose and it seems like my metabolism has shut down... this is very frustrating. My doctor basically lied to me about it. The scary thing is that I really need the medicine... it REALLY helps my depression, so I feel stuck. The weight gain has been a big source of stress and heartache for me, so I think I am going to try to get off it.
Being on abilify made me gain 30 pounds in just 2 months! I stopped taking it a little over a week ago and have already lost 6 pounds. I hate that I started taking it. On the other hand, it was great for my depression. I guess you just have to choose what's more important. I personally don't want to get big as a house! ;-)
Abilify is a dextroamphetamine, meaning that it usually increases a persons motor activity, and therefore normally would cause weight loss if anything. of course not all people are the same, and it could cause some weight gain in people who have the opposite expected affect from dextro( motor function stimulants) amphetamines, like those who are ADHD, or have a hyperactivity disorder already. There is no hard evidence that it can cause weight gain, but in some people amphetamines seem to sedate them, and sedation can cause weight gain from a decrease in activity, and an increase in appetite.
im 32 and have been on abilify for 8 months.after a lifetime of trying to put on weight,i am now a size 14 to 16.befour i was a size 6 to 8.abilify has allowed me to get to a safe weight but now im putting on to much.im going to watch what i eat and if that dont help i will change meds
I have gained 40 pounds on abilify, and I was already overweight. I want to sue my doctor!
I have been on cymbalta for years with no weight issues. I have now been on abilify for 2 month and have noticed a strong appetite increase. I can't seem to quench my hunger. I have gained approx 7 pounds with strong efforts to prevent it.
I have been on Cymbalta for about four years now. About seven months ago my Doctor added Abilify. Since this time, I have increased my activity levels, and overall I am not a big eater, and have gained over twenty pounds since starting the Abilify. Just today my Doctor took me off of the meds and did blame the weight gain on the medication. She started me on Topamax, which from everything I have read, actually makes you lose weight! Lets hope it not only helps with the moods, but with the weight.
I've been on Cymbalta for over five years. I've haven't gained any weight from it. I think you have to be very careful what you attribute your weight gain to. Sometimes when people are happier, they eat. Cymbalta gives you peace of mind, stress mgmt., and helps to logically solve issues without getting overly emotional. I'm on 90mgs. which is a high dose. The only side affect I have is an upset stomach, but I've learned to manage it by taking Cymbalta with food. I also break up my dosage so it's not too much at one time. Another really positive side effect has been that it has cleared up my dry eye condition. It took me a long time to make the connection and I would have never expected this added benefit. Hope this helps.
I have been on Abilify for 3 months and have LOST 7 pounds. Everybody always blames the medications when sometimes they it is their diet and lifestyle that need to be changed.
I've been on Abilify 4 separate times for various periods of time. It caused rapid weight gain for me each time I took it. Even when I was eating normally, even when I cut my meals down (and I don't eat that much). There is no question in my mind that Abilify causes weight gain for a lot of people. Doctors told me I was wrong and they refused to look at the evidence (my weight vs. my normal weight). Abilify promoters will not admit that Abilify causes weight gain because they want more people to take it. I refuse to take it. I gained 3 clothing sizes. I've lost about 3/4 of the weight, but I still don't fit into my regular clothes. I hardly have anything to wear. The drug helped me -- I felt stable, but I couldn't deal with the weight. I've been anorexic in the past and I can't bear to gain weight.
After 1 month of being on Abilify I started to gain weight. Eleven months later, I have gained 25 pounds, even with eating the SAME amount of food. If I don't watch what I eat I gain very rapidly. I am 5' 8" this is the most I have ever weighed even during two pregnancies!!!
I gained at least 50 lbs in 2-3 months on this med. It was added to prisitqe, I blew up like a house and it was not from eating. MY dr lied to me, I quit all meds and stopped seeing him. It's been 5 months now that i am off it I have lost some of the weight but have a long way to go. Face it, it's all about the money.. I hate these drug manufactures, they made things so much worse for me.. be strong, tell them to shove their meds!
i have been on abilify for 7 months and i have gained a ridiculous amount of weight. my doctor put me on topamax (for appetite suppression) and that did not work at all. i quit taking the pills about two weeks ago and haven't seen a difference. i exercise and eat very healthy. i went form a size 6 to a size 14. i am extremely upset with this and it SUCKS.
My grandaughter gained in excess of 50 lbs. when she started taking abilify. She was tall and thin but gained weight so fast that she developed stretch marks even on the back of her calves. The doctor said it could not possibly be the abilify but after stopping the drug last May, she dropped 30 pounds in about three months and continued to lose weight rapidly and now she's back to her normal weight of about 120 lbs. Abilify should be on the 1-800-BAD DRUG list. She also started acting normally after 6 weeks off the drug. Her diagnosis was mild depression, but after taking it, she started to literally flip out on a regular basis, where she was then being diagnosed with ODD and bipolar, probably side effects of the stupid drug. She is a teenager, by the way.