Researchers Find Way to Help those with Bipolar Disorder Keep Weight in Check

I hate to support solving the side effects of one drug with another drug, but since so many of my clients suffer weight gain from medications for Bipolar Disorder, with no easy solution, I had to share this.

A new study has found that a drug commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes can also help people with bipolar disorder avoid weight gain caused by their medication.

The study, led by the University of Cincinnati (one of my favorite research institutions for bipolar disorder), found that metformin can help prevent or reduce weight gain with people taking second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) for bipolar disorder. 

The study involved 1,565 patients and all of the participants received counselling on healthy eating and exercise. Half of the participants were also given metformin.

After six months, the researchers found that the group that took metformin gained less weight than the group that didn’t take the drug. Metformin was also found to be safe, with the only side effects being some mild stomach upset.

The researchers say that metformin is not a weight-loss drug, but it can help those with bipolar disorder manage their weight by reducing their appetite. They say that the drug may also make it easier for people to stick to a healthy diet and exercise plan.

Of course the best way to not gain weight on bipolar medications is to reduce the number of different meds you take, and/or reduce their dose.  This can be accomplished by the Bipolar Wellness nutrition program, and while it takes a few months to find the right nutrients for you, and to wean yourself off of some meds, it is being done by many clients of Michael Rose, MA.  To see if you might benefit from the Bipolar Wellness program, schedule a free phone conversation with Michael today.