Pot belly on olanzapine

[Ballerina123]

I've noticed that olanzapine gives me a pot belly.
I don't really eat that much and what I do eat is usually healthy. I'm only gained a tiny bit of weight on it but my belly sticks out, which it didn't before.

Does anyone know what this is? How can I combat it? Does it happen to anyone else?

[Arienette]

Are you bloated?

Could it be gas build up maybe? or constipation? Are those side effects of olanzapine maybe?

[Doikers]

This is happening to me too , I was told by my SW that it is nick-named 'Olanzapine-Belly' as it's such a common side effect , I got rid of mine in a really un-healthy way of crash dieting and exercising until I could hardly breathe then doing 10 more minutes but I really don't recommend you do that , could you voice your concerns to the Dr who gave you the perscription?

[EyelinerAndCigarettes]

I find Olanzapine makes me really bloated/constipated & I get a pot belly from that.

x x x

[sherlock holmes]

I have a really bad pot belly. I don't take olanzapine, I'm on other meds, but mine is caused by severe bloating. I have irritable bowel syndrome which a lot of the time goes hand in hand with mental health problems (your gut is very sensitive to stress, emotions etc) and with it I also get badly constipated.

My doctor told me that the bloating could just be part of the IBS or it could be a food intolerance (common ones for bloating are wheat and dairy).

It might be good for you to get a blood test to rule out coealic disease (gluten allergy).

If you are bloated then drinking lots of water helps.

Personally I've find that exercise has no effect on my bloating.

Also you mention you've been eating really healthily- fruit and veg are bad culprits for bloating, and as they contain lots of fibre then a sudden increase in fibre will make you bloated. Also fermentable foods will make you bloated, things like beans, lentils, pulses, certain fruits and vegetables.

It's a bit of a nightmare finding out what causes it really.

[Ballerina123]

good to know Im not the only one.
my friend and I call it an olanz-a-belly.
Im gonna keep up with the healthy eating for a month or so and see how my belly is.
After a month I may be able to lower the dose anyway.

Ive had a test for coealic disease. It was negative and I dont have IBS or constipation.
Im wondering if its water retention? maybe?

[Patch.]

I get this with another antipsychotic. I was going to suggest constipation as that's quite a common side effect with APs.

I don't really have anything useful to add accept I really do understand how annoying it is x

[MissAnonymous]

With healthy eating try and make small changes at a time, changes in diet can make bloating loads worse so don't be thinking your not eating healthily because your bloated cos fruit and veg can bloat some people too.

[consequential]

I put on savage weight from meds, I don't have a pot belly, I have obese flab sticking out on my stomach and above it. No matter what I eat and even with exercising it's no good. You just sound bloated, but that medication is the worst for weight gain but luckily you don't have that. Have you tried sit ups?

[random.swirls]

I've noticed a huge correlation between pot bellies and psych meds

[consequential]

Everyone in the hospital had weight on their stomachs from the meds, it goes on there first I would think. Very few were slim.

[Sneckie]

I saw my psych today he told me olanzapine is famous for putting weight onto woman in particular really fast. He said its common to go up as much as 2 clothes sizes in a month.

[Steel Maiden]

Olanzapine causes preference for abdominal fat distribution. It also changes metabolism to preferentially put on fat stores rather than burn them all up. I put on 2 clothes sizes on Olanzapine.

[[Luna]]

I have had this experience with a lot of anti-psychotics. I have put on a lot of weight on my stomach and get bloated/constipated a lot!
I found exercise the most effective tool to reducing the belly fat.
It's comforting to hear that meds affect others in this way too xx

[Ballerina123]

Thansk guys. I have been eating really healthy and it has helped a lot with the bloating and weight gain.
I plan to start exercising soon once I get a guy subscription.

[consequential]

Don't know what that is but good luck. i can't seem to lose weight, I am afraid to try to fit on my graduation dress. I walk every day and cut down on eating but it's not working.

[Arienette]

I'm on olanzapine now and remembered this thread.

I have got a pot belly and it's making me feel very self conscious. And normally before my stomach was OK. I only just started to feel confident with my body, and now I have a pot belly. I don't mind the weight gain but wish it would go to other places as well.

I'm going to start exercising properly - i.e. i'm devising a plan tonight to hopefully feel a little better about myself.

*hurrumph!*

[Ballerina123]

I'm on olanzapine now and remembered this thread.

I have got a pot belly and it's making me feel very self conscious. And normally before my stomach was OK. I only just started to feel confident with my body, and now I have a pot belly. I don't mind the weight gain but wish it would go to other places as well.

I'm going to start exercising properly - i.e. i'm devising a plan tonight to hopefully feel a little better about myself.

*hurrumph!*

Lol bit of a zombie thread but yea I'm still having a problem with this but trying to let it go because I'm not overweight or anything so that "should" mean I'm ok I rekon.

Plus I'm my birthday photos the belly didn't show up so im pleased with that :)

[Arienette]

Plus I'm my birthday photos the belly didn't show up so im pleased with that :)


true i didn't notice it at all. maybe mine isn't that noticeable and I'm just freaking out a little. i've set an upper limit which is quite a lot above my natural weight, but still healthy where i will draw the line. i spoke to gf about it and she agreed thats sensible: is that fair enough do you think?

Lol bit of a zombie thread i didn't feel like making a new thread for the same thing again. :p

[Arienette]

I think i was constipated. I went to the toilet last night and woke up and I'm all back to normal. *yay*

[Ballerina123]

I think i was constipated. I went to the toilet last night and woke up and I'm all back to normal. *yay*

Yeay for poop :)