Weight gain from medication?

[KiraKiraHikaru]

What is it exactly that causes weight gain when taking medication. Is it due to changes in metabolic rate? Increased hunger? Does it change the way your body processed fat?

If you are on meds that cause weight gain how do you manage this? I’m already overweight and starting meds that cause weight gain and I’m very eager to combat this.

Does anyone have any insight or advice?

Of course there is.

a) see the contribution the medication is making to improving your mental health
b) make changes to your diet
c) start exercising

unless your diet is flawless and you exercise religiously - there will be things you can do

I'm in the same situation. Finally started losing small amounts of weight after finally coming off it. (partly because it wasn't working - GPs solution? up the dose, despite knowing full well I don't want to be on it)

Just to mention that aripiprazole is an antipsychotic, that can also be used as a mood stabiliser, and is much less likely than eg quetiapine or olanzapine to cause weight gain. Indeed in can help some people lose weight.