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Abilify Weight Gain: A Giant Fat Pill?

By Cliff Meade


Abilify does cause weight gain in some people. While a small weight gain in not uncommon, many people report substantial weight gain while taking Abilify. Because excessive weight can cause a host of health and social concerns, it is critical to minimize it as much as possible. Furthermore, excessive body fat decreases the body's ability to metabolize energy.

Each person taking Abilify will have a different result. While weight gain is not uncommon, there are also reports of patients taking Abilify actually losing weight. How much weight can you expect to gain on Abilify?

A clinical study of children taking medications in the same drug class as Abilify showed an average weight gain of about ten pounds over an eleven week period. The children also gained an average of two inches around their waist.

The more someone is overweight, the greater chance they have for developing diabetes and other diseases, such as heart disease and hypertension. These risks increase dramatically if someone is twenty pounds or more over weight. If you are required to be on Abilify but gain weight from it, ask your health care professional what she can prescribe to boost your metabolism and energy. In many cases this will prevent weight gain.

Some people have complained about how difficult it is to lose the weight they gained while taking Abilify. Others claim they cannot lose the weight at all. The reason Abilify causes weight gain is probably because Abilify makes the tissues of the body resistant to insulin much like diabetes does.

When the tissues resist insulin, the body cannot easily absorb excess sugar from the blood stream. This means residual sugar is floating throughout the body. Excess sugar can harm organs, particularly the brain and heart. To prevent organ damage, the liver absorbs the excess sugar.

However, when the liver cleans the sugar out of the blood, it stores it as fat on the belly. This naturally packs on the pounds and may eventually lead to diabetes if not corrected. This is why it is critical that you tell your doctor about any weight gain you experience. It may also helpful to monitor your blood sugar. This is easily done with a glucometer available at most drug stores.

Discuss a proper diet, activity program and mood management with your doctor before you begin an Abilify regime. Actively pursuing a healthy strategy may prevent weight gain or at least keep it to a minimum. Also, seeking out and implementing natural methods of overcoming depression, such as adequate sleep, fresh air and sunshine, and a supportive social network all contribute to beating depression without jeopardizing your health.




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