Can you lose weight on Abilify and Prozac? (3+ ways to do it) 

In this blog post, we are going to answer the question, “Can you lose weight on Abilify and Prozac?”. Abilify is an atypical antipsychotic medication, whereas Prozac is an antidepressant. Both of these meds are used for the treatment of a variety of mental health-related problems. 

However, the two can also be used together. This blog will cover the impact of this combination on your weight and will discuss some weight loss tips that may help you lose some extra pounds on these meds. 

Can you lose weight on Abilify and Prozac?

You may or may not lose weight on Abilify and Prozac. Both of these meds are somewhat linked to weight gain and they do not interact with your fat-burning process. However, some people may still lose some weight, but as a side effect. 

Make sure you don’t take these meds together for the purpose of weight loss, as they are no weight loss pills. Always talk to your healthcare provider regarding the use of medications. Only take those meds that are prescribed or approved by your doctor. 

What is the difference between Abilify and Prozac? 

Abilify, a brand name for Aripiprazole, is an atypical antipsychotic medication. It is primarily used for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The drug can be used for other conditions as well, including autism, irritability and major depressive disorders. 

Its exact mechanism of action is still unknown. However, experts believe that the drug acts as an agonist of some of the dopamine receptors including D2 receptors and some of the serotonin receptors including 5HT1A receptors. 

The experts have also added that Abilify can inhibit serotonin 5HT2A receptors actively. As Abilify is an atypical antipsychotic, it is considered safer than typical antipsychotics which possess a higher risk of causing extrapyramidal side effects. 

Prozac, on the other hand, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It works by actively inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin by blocking serotonin transporters (SERT). 

This way more serotonin is available in the synaptic cleft to bind to its respective receptors. The excess serotonin compensates for its deficiency and actively counteracts the symptoms associated with depression and other mental health conditions. 

What does research suggest regarding weight gain or loss induced by Abilify and Prozac? 

Several research studies have covered these meds individually and have studied the effects of Abilify and Prozac and they have observed variable results. Some cases showed weight loss and some cases showed weight gain. 

If we specifically talk about Abilify, studies suggest that this atypical antipsychotic may make you gain weight. This is because the drug may increase your appetite. If it is paired with Prozac, it may boost appetite. When you consume more calories than you should, it definitely makes you gain weight. 

However, some case studies showed weight loss with Abilify. One case study included an antipsychotic medication which was associated with weight gain. When this excess weight started to become a health concern, the medication was stopped and was switched to Abilify. 

Within just a few weeks, the patient lost a tremendous amount of weight. This indicates that Abilify can make you lose weight as compared to other antipsychotic agents. Even if it does make you gain some pounds, the effect is not intense as Abilify is less likely to cause weight gain. 

As far as Prozac is concerned, it is an SSRI. Antidepressants belonging to this class are known to cause weight gain as a side effect. However, Prozac is said to differ from the other SSRIs. 

Some case studies revealed that Prozac can actually help you lose weight, especially during the early course of the treatment. These findings indicate that it’s not certain whether these meds will cause weight gain or loss in people. 

The combination of Abilify and Prozac may make some people lose their appetite. In some cases, these two can help people recover from an eating disorder comorbid with depression. This can make them lose weight. 

However, in some cases, this combination may enhance appetite. When you eat more than your body usually requires, it results in fat deposition and weight gain. 

This is why weight loss or gain associated with the combination of Abilify and Prozac totally depends on the person taking the med and the way he or she responds to them. 

What are the additional side effects associated with the use of Abilify and Prozac? 

Both Abilify and Prozac are associated with some side effects. Let’s look at some of the common side effects caused by these meds individually. 

Additional side effects of Abilify 

• Restlessness 
• Nervousness 
• Confusion 
• Headache 
• Dizziness 
• Drowsiness 
• Fatigue 
• Diarrhoea 
• Constipation 
• Abdominal pain 
• Increased appetite
• Excess salivation 
• Body pain

Additional side effects of Prozac 

• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea or Constipation 
• Acid reflux or heartburn 
• Abdominal pain 
• Loss of appetite 
• Excessive sweating or night sweating (nocturnal/night hyperhidrosis) 
• Frequent urination 
• Polydipsia or excessive thirst
• Tremors 
• Muscle twitching and pain
• Drowsiness 
• Dizziness 
• Excessive tiredness or fatigue 
• Insomnia or inability to fall asleep 
• Xerostomia or dry mouth 
• Dysmenorrhea or heavy periods
• Flu-like symptoms, including irritation in the eyes and runny nose
• Sexual side effects in both men and women

How to lose weight on Abilify and Prozac? 

There are some tips that may help you lose some weight while being on Abilify and Prozac. These include:

Exercise 

Exercise is one of the best ways to keep your body in shape, no matter what medication you are taking. When you’re mentally depressed, you do feel like you have no energy to even move, but if you do some exercise while feeling that way, you will notice a surge in your energy levels. 

It not only helps you lose weight but working out also helps you out with your depression symptoms by releasing happy chemicals in your brain. Several studies have indicated that the use of Prozac as an antidepressant can help increase your energy levels. 

As Abilify can augment Prozac, the combination can be used to increase your energy levels and fight against lethargy that may stop you from working out. You don’t have to spend hours doing so. 

If you are not a beginner, you can simply engage in a 10-minutes high-intensity interval training session, which will help you burn calories for the next 48 hours. 

Even if you are a beginner, you can search online for beginner-friendly workouts and do them for 15 to 20 minutes. Just make sure you move enough during the day. Sedentarism can make you gain a tremendous amount of weight. 

Eat the right foods. 

“You are what you eat”, there’s a reason why they say that. If you don’t take good care of your diet and continue to consume unhealthy food, it doesn’t even matter which meds you’re taking as you sure as hell will gain weight. This is why you need to eat the right kinds of food. 

This doesn’t necessarily mean to stop eating what you love. You can still enjoy eating fast or junk food, but only if you know how to maintain a balance. If you continue to intake unhealthy kinds of food, you will continue to gain weight, irrespective of your prescription. 

Make sure you add lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water to your diet.

Try Intermittent fasting 

Intermittent fasting is a kind of irregular fasting where you can eat whatever you want to, but just during a specific time window. This can help balance the number of calories you intake and can also help you lose weight. 

Several research studies have indicated that IF can make you lose weight much earlier than conventional weight loss methods, without even changing much in your diet. 

Conclusion 

In this blog post, we have discussed weight loss on Abilify and Prozac. You may or may not lose weight on Abilify and Prozac. Both of these meds are somewhat linked to weight gain and they do not interact with your fat-burning process. 

However, some people may still lose some weight, but as a side effect. Make sure you don’t take these meds together for the purpose of weight loss, as they are no weight loss pills. 

Always talk to your healthcare provider regarding the use of medications. Only take those meds that are prescribed or approved by your doctor.

FAQs: Abilify and Prozac weight loss 

Does Abilify help with weight loss?

Abilify is associated with weight gain as a side effect, but it may help some people lose weight. One case study included an antipsychotic medication which was associated with weight gain. When this excess weight started to become a health concern, the medication was stopped and was switched to Abilify. 

Within just a few weeks, the patient lost a tremendous amount of weight. This indicates that Abilify can make you lose weight as compared to other antipsychotic agents. Even if it does make you gain some pounds, the effect is not intense as Abilify is less likely to cause weight gain.

Can I take Prozac and Abilify together?

Yes, you can take Prozac and Abilify together, but only if prescribed by your healthcare provider. Abilify and some other atypical antipsychotics are now used in clinical practices for the augmentation of antidepressants. This combination can work wonders for some people and can significantly help in the management and treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, you should always consult your healthcare provider for such matters.

Does Abilify speed up metabolism?

No, Ability has no impact on your metabolism and it does not make you lose weight by making any kind of change in your metabolism. Abilify can actually boost your appetite. It’s a fact that when you consume a higher amount of calories, you end up gaining weight no matter what kind of meds you may or may not be taking. This is why you should never use Abilify for the purpose of weight loss as the drug does no such thing. 

What antidepressant goes well with Abilify?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the common antidepressants which go well with Abilify and other atypical antipsychotics. The combination of these two is now quite frequently prescribed in clinical settings because of the added benefits. One of the major benefits of using Abilify with SSRIs is the faster onset of action of this antidepressant. The concomitant use can also be used in the management and treatment of the major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Why is Abilify added to antidepressants?

Abilify is added for the augmentation of antidepressants. This practice is more common in case of patients who do not respond properly to initial therapy with antidepressants. Even the strongest of antidepressants may not be adequate for the treatment of persistent depression and augmentation by Abilify can significantly help recover such patients. However, more research is necessary to determine the best way to use them.

References 

• Changsu Han, Sheng-Min Wang, and Chi-Un Pae (2015) – Optimising the Use of Aripiprazole Augmentation in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: From Clinical Trials to Clinical Practice https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4543152/#!po=57.6923 
• Dramatic Weight Loss Following Addition of Aripiprazole to Olanzapine in a Patient With Treatment-resistant Schizophrenia: A Case Report https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30849062/