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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Epilim Have An Alternative Substitute To Avoid Weight Gain?

I take 300mg epilim and 400 epilim at night. I have gained a lot of weight especially on my bust. I have been diagnosed with bipolar 2 about 4 yrs ago. is there an alternative drug I can take? the 300mg is for the day. I am on half a cytalopram in the am
posted on Tue, 14 Oct 2014
Twitter Tue, 4 Nov 2014 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 10 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello,
Almost all mood stabilisers can cause weight gain. If you are gaining weight with epilim, you can try Lithium 300mg twice a day.
But you must be cautious in changing the drugs. slowly decrease the dose of epilim and gradually increase the dose of lithium simultanoeusly.
Also please take care of side effects of lithium like hypothyroidism, polyuria, tremors etc.
Also talk to your treating psychiatrist regarding this.
Thanks.
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Psychiatrist,  Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi's  Response
Hello Welcome to HCM

Epilim consists of Sodium Valproate. You are taking sodium valproate 700 and citalopram. The drugs are causing weight gain. You have been suffering from Bipolar disorder and you are on these drugs since last 4 years. Most of common mood stabiliser cause weight gain but few drugs like Topiramate don't cause weight gain. You can consult with your psychiatrist for change of drug to topiramate. Exercise daily and have balanced diet to decrease increase in weight gain.

Hope this helps you, thanks
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Does Epilim Have An Alternative Substitute To Avoid Weight Gain?

Hello, Almost all mood stabilisers can cause weight gain. If you are gaining weight with epilim, you can try Lithium 300mg twice a day. But you must be cautious in changing the drugs. slowly decrease the dose of epilim and gradually increase the dose of lithium simultanoeusly. Also please take care of side effects of lithium like hypothyroidism, polyuria, tremors etc. Also talk to your treating psychiatrist regarding this. Thanks.