I've worked so hard to lose weight.; I fear that when I start taking the lithium I will gain it all back. I've been taking bupropion for a long time which if anything helps me keep the weight off unlike all the other meds I've taken which have caused me to gain. Have many of you had a noticable amount of weight gain when using this drug? Does it make it harder to lose weight?
Is weight gain a common side effect of lithium?
Question posted by booboo02 on 20 March 2010
Last updated on 16 March 2018 by WildcatVet
7 Answers
WildcatVet
16 March 2018
Rarely, and it can go either way:
"Metabolic
Frequency not reported: Anorexia, dehydration, weight gain, thirst/mild thirst, weight loss"
peterbateman
16 March 2018
I have been taking Lithium for many years and have never experienced any weight gain.
Curvesarein
16 March 2018
I gained 10 lbs in two months. I’m so ridiculously swollen. I switched to Lithium Orotate which is natural and has no side effects. Plus I tried my first CBD oil! I took 5 drops on a manic episode and was asleep by 9:30 and slept like a baby. I took 5 drops today and felt great.
kate smith
14 May 2015
did you gain or lose
Seezig
25 Oct 2012
I have gained 10 pounds in 3 weeks. I also take Lamictal, but I've taken that for years with no issues. This is just dumbfounding, especially because I don't feel like my eating has changed! VERY frustrating for me.
pumpkinanne
10 Feb 2013
I also have juststarted on lantus 10mg. I have ony been on it for 10days and havegained 7 pounds. The problem is I am a weight watchers lifetime member and now cannot weigh in until I lose this weight. I have been on a 1000 calories a day and the last 4 days have been doing 5 miles of excercise. I am ready to go off this injection. I have worked to hard to get to my goal weight. What did your dr. say about this weight gain. I am calling mine again on Monday. I can't keep gaining weight. How much more am I going to gain?
cspecialmom1111
28 April 2010
I have been on lithium for over a year now and i really think it is working well. I have not had any weight gain experience, in fact i have lost 20 pds. since i went on it after being on Abilify. However, when I first started taking it, within 2 hours, my vision was blurry. I was started on a standard adult dose of 900mg once a day. my daughter had been on lithium, and she got toxic once and had to have IV's. Your lithium level should be between .5 and never over 1.0!!! because i didn't have the same side effect as my daughter, i did not realize i was at a toxic level. I was toxic for 7 days before the lab caught it. My lithium level was 1.8!!! Lithium is an old drug from the 1950's and is very good, but you must know the side effects that could occur if your level is too high. If you experience any toxic symptoms go directly to the ER. The biggest issues with lithium is that one, stay hydrated...
you must drink alot of water when on this drug, especially if you are going to be in warm temperatures or in the sun. The second is whenever a Dr. prescibes any new med. for any reason, it is very important you let him know you are on lithium! lithium has some severe drug interactions. If you feel toxic side effect, start drinking water. Water dilutes the lithium concentration in your body. When you get dehydrated, the lithium becomes stronger in the blood. hope this helps, hope i didn't scare you away from it, give it a try! keep us posted.
hucklebery324
21 March 2010
I was on lithium, and can say I had more weightgain from other psych drugs... however... are you someone who takes care of yourself? Do you listen to the dr when he says you can do this or you cant do that? Lithium requires regular lab testing and refraining from some foods ect... Lab work must be done to ensure a toxic level does not accumulate in your liver, which that level is VERY close to toxicity... this is what scares me personally, Im assuming your doc has run the standard tests for thyroid problems? Anyway your doc should know right away if you experience any yellowing of the skin or eyes... I drank alchomahol for a while and had to quit because of lithium, if you do drink it could pose a serious health threat. Just remember the best solution for depression/mood is excercise you could be just a gym visit away from happiness!
Related topics
depression, bipolar disorder, weight loss (obesity/overweight), panic disorder, bupropion, lithium, side effect, weight
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.