Like other medications that are used to treatbipolar disorder, lithium can carry the risk of weight gain as a side effect.Weight gainis one of the more common reasons why people may choose to stop using medication.

While older studies have demonstrated that lithium can cause weight gain,newer research is questioning how significant the weight gain from lithium really is, especially when compared with other bipolar medications.

Is Weight Gain a Side Effect of Lithium?

If you have been prescribedlithium, there’s a chance your healthcare provider discussed potential side effects of taking the drug. These include diarrhea, increased urination, shakiness, dizziness, and weight gain.

Although weight gain is listed as one of the more common side effects, the chances of your gaining weight from lithium alone can greatly vary:

The results vary when it comes to how much weight is usually gained. Many trials show that weight gain was not directly due to starting lithium but rather that the individuals had multiple underlying potential causes for weight gain.

Factors affecting weight gain included body weight before treatment, use of other antidepressants, and dosage.

Why Does It Happen?

There are several factors that could contribute to weight gain while taking lithium, such as:

Timing of Weight Gain

One review published in theInternational Journal of Bipolar Disorders, which compiled data from several other studies addressing lithium’s side effects, found that weight gain is most commonly seen in the first two years of using lithium.

Do Any Bipolar Medications Not Cause Weight Gain?Some studies showed that Effexor XR (venlafaxine), an antidepressant, actually caused some people to lose weight.Venlafaxine, however, is not as proven to help manage all symptoms of bipolar disorder the same way lithium can.Anticonvulsantssometimes used for bipolar disorder, such as Lamictal (lamotrigine), Tegretol (carbamazepine), and Topamax (topiramate), are also unlikely to cause weight gain.

Do Any Bipolar Medications Not Cause Weight Gain?

Some studies showed that Effexor XR (venlafaxine), an antidepressant, actually caused some people to lose weight.Venlafaxine, however, is not as proven to help manage all symptoms of bipolar disorder the same way lithium can.Anticonvulsantssometimes used for bipolar disorder, such as Lamictal (lamotrigine), Tegretol (carbamazepine), and Topamax (topiramate), are also unlikely to cause weight gain.

Some studies showed that Effexor XR (venlafaxine), an antidepressant, actually caused some people to lose weight.Venlafaxine, however, is not as proven to help manage all symptoms of bipolar disorder the same way lithium can.

Anticonvulsantssometimes used for bipolar disorder, such as Lamictal (lamotrigine), Tegretol (carbamazepine), and Topamax (topiramate), are also unlikely to cause weight gain.

How to Prevent Weight Gain

There are steps you can take to minimize or prevent weight gain while taking lithium, including:

When to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider

Like all medications, lithium can carry the risk of side effects. Aside from possible weight gain, talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:

Other symptoms that should warrant a discussion with your healthcare provider include:

These symptoms can be due tohypothyroidism, and can seriously impact your ability to continue taking lithium.

Normal lab exams will ensure that you are staying healthy while on treatment.

Summary

Starting a new medication is always difficult, and side effects such as weight gain can further increase the challenge of managing treatment.

Earlier studies have indicated that noticeable weight gain associated with lithium is common. However, new studies suggest that the true amount of weight you might gain with lithium is much more manageable and is even less than other medications used to treat bipolar disorder.

Always discuss your side effects with your healthcare provider, and never stop your medication suddenly, as you run the risk of serious complications.

12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gomes-da-Costa S, Marx W, Corponi F, et al.Lithium therapy and weight change in people with bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2022;134:104266. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.011Gitlin M.Lithium side effects and toxicity: prevalence and management strategies.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2016;4(1):27. doi:10.1186/s40345-016-0068-yVendsborg PB, Bech P, Rafaelsen OJ.Lithium treatment and weight gain.Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1976;53(2):139-147.Greil W, de Bardeci M, Müller-Oerlinghausen B, et al.Controversies regarding lithium-associated weight gain: case-control study of real-world drug safety data.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2023;11(1):34. doi:10.1186/s40345-023-00313-8Yaramala SR, McElroy SL, Geske J, et al.The impact of binge eating behavior on lithium- and quetiapine-associated changes in body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference during 6 months of treatment: Findings from the bipolar CHOICE study.J Affect Disord. 2020;266:772-781. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2018.09.025Ferensztajn-Rochowiak E, Rybakowski JK.Long-term lithium therapy: side effects and interactions.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023;16(1):74. doi:10.3390/ph16010074Hayes JF, Marston L, Walters K, et al.Adverse renal, endocrine, hepatic, and metabolic events during maintenance mood stabilizer treatment for bipolar disorder: a population-based cohort study.PLoS Med. 2016;13(8):e1002058. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002058Amsterdam JD, Lorenzo-Luaces L, Soeller I, et al.Short-term venlafaxine v. lithium monotherapy for bipolar type II major depressive episodes: effectiveness and mood conversion rate.Br J Psychiatry.2016;208(4):359-365. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.115.169375Grootens KP, Meijer A, Hartong EG, et al.Weight changes associated with antiepileptic mood stabilizers in the treatment of bipolar disorder.Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2018;74(11):1485-1489. doi:10.1007/s00228-018-2517-2Praharaj SK.Metformin for lithium-induced weight gain: a case report.Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2016;14(1):101-103. doi:10.9758/cpn.2016.14.1.10Chaker L, Bianco AC, Jonklaas J, Peeters RP.Hypothyroidism.Lancet. 2017;390(10101):1550-1562. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30703-1Won E, Kim YK.An oldie but goodie: lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder through neuroprotective and neurotrophic mechanisms.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(12):2679. doi:10.3390/ijms18122679

12 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gomes-da-Costa S, Marx W, Corponi F, et al.Lithium therapy and weight change in people with bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2022;134:104266. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.011Gitlin M.Lithium side effects and toxicity: prevalence and management strategies.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2016;4(1):27. doi:10.1186/s40345-016-0068-yVendsborg PB, Bech P, Rafaelsen OJ.Lithium treatment and weight gain.Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1976;53(2):139-147.Greil W, de Bardeci M, Müller-Oerlinghausen B, et al.Controversies regarding lithium-associated weight gain: case-control study of real-world drug safety data.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2023;11(1):34. doi:10.1186/s40345-023-00313-8Yaramala SR, McElroy SL, Geske J, et al.The impact of binge eating behavior on lithium- and quetiapine-associated changes in body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference during 6 months of treatment: Findings from the bipolar CHOICE study.J Affect Disord. 2020;266:772-781. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2018.09.025Ferensztajn-Rochowiak E, Rybakowski JK.Long-term lithium therapy: side effects and interactions.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023;16(1):74. doi:10.3390/ph16010074Hayes JF, Marston L, Walters K, et al.Adverse renal, endocrine, hepatic, and metabolic events during maintenance mood stabilizer treatment for bipolar disorder: a population-based cohort study.PLoS Med. 2016;13(8):e1002058. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002058Amsterdam JD, Lorenzo-Luaces L, Soeller I, et al.Short-term venlafaxine v. lithium monotherapy for bipolar type II major depressive episodes: effectiveness and mood conversion rate.Br J Psychiatry.2016;208(4):359-365. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.115.169375Grootens KP, Meijer A, Hartong EG, et al.Weight changes associated with antiepileptic mood stabilizers in the treatment of bipolar disorder.Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2018;74(11):1485-1489. doi:10.1007/s00228-018-2517-2Praharaj SK.Metformin for lithium-induced weight gain: a case report.Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2016;14(1):101-103. doi:10.9758/cpn.2016.14.1.10Chaker L, Bianco AC, Jonklaas J, Peeters RP.Hypothyroidism.Lancet. 2017;390(10101):1550-1562. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30703-1Won E, Kim YK.An oldie but goodie: lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder through neuroprotective and neurotrophic mechanisms.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(12):2679. doi:10.3390/ijms18122679

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Gomes-da-Costa S, Marx W, Corponi F, et al.Lithium therapy and weight change in people with bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2022;134:104266. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.011Gitlin M.Lithium side effects and toxicity: prevalence and management strategies.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2016;4(1):27. doi:10.1186/s40345-016-0068-yVendsborg PB, Bech P, Rafaelsen OJ.Lithium treatment and weight gain.Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1976;53(2):139-147.Greil W, de Bardeci M, Müller-Oerlinghausen B, et al.Controversies regarding lithium-associated weight gain: case-control study of real-world drug safety data.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2023;11(1):34. doi:10.1186/s40345-023-00313-8Yaramala SR, McElroy SL, Geske J, et al.The impact of binge eating behavior on lithium- and quetiapine-associated changes in body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference during 6 months of treatment: Findings from the bipolar CHOICE study.J Affect Disord. 2020;266:772-781. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2018.09.025Ferensztajn-Rochowiak E, Rybakowski JK.Long-term lithium therapy: side effects and interactions.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023;16(1):74. doi:10.3390/ph16010074Hayes JF, Marston L, Walters K, et al.Adverse renal, endocrine, hepatic, and metabolic events during maintenance mood stabilizer treatment for bipolar disorder: a population-based cohort study.PLoS Med. 2016;13(8):e1002058. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002058Amsterdam JD, Lorenzo-Luaces L, Soeller I, et al.Short-term venlafaxine v. lithium monotherapy for bipolar type II major depressive episodes: effectiveness and mood conversion rate.Br J Psychiatry.2016;208(4):359-365. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.115.169375Grootens KP, Meijer A, Hartong EG, et al.Weight changes associated with antiepileptic mood stabilizers in the treatment of bipolar disorder.Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2018;74(11):1485-1489. doi:10.1007/s00228-018-2517-2Praharaj SK.Metformin for lithium-induced weight gain: a case report.Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2016;14(1):101-103. doi:10.9758/cpn.2016.14.1.10Chaker L, Bianco AC, Jonklaas J, Peeters RP.Hypothyroidism.Lancet. 2017;390(10101):1550-1562. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30703-1Won E, Kim YK.An oldie but goodie: lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder through neuroprotective and neurotrophic mechanisms.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(12):2679. doi:10.3390/ijms18122679

Gomes-da-Costa S, Marx W, Corponi F, et al.Lithium therapy and weight change in people with bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2022;134:104266. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.011

Gitlin M.Lithium side effects and toxicity: prevalence and management strategies.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2016;4(1):27. doi:10.1186/s40345-016-0068-y

Vendsborg PB, Bech P, Rafaelsen OJ.Lithium treatment and weight gain.Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1976;53(2):139-147.

Greil W, de Bardeci M, Müller-Oerlinghausen B, et al.Controversies regarding lithium-associated weight gain: case-control study of real-world drug safety data.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2023;11(1):34. doi:10.1186/s40345-023-00313-8

Yaramala SR, McElroy SL, Geske J, et al.The impact of binge eating behavior on lithium- and quetiapine-associated changes in body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference during 6 months of treatment: Findings from the bipolar CHOICE study.J Affect Disord. 2020;266:772-781. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2018.09.025

Ferensztajn-Rochowiak E, Rybakowski JK.Long-term lithium therapy: side effects and interactions.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023;16(1):74. doi:10.3390/ph16010074

Hayes JF, Marston L, Walters K, et al.Adverse renal, endocrine, hepatic, and metabolic events during maintenance mood stabilizer treatment for bipolar disorder: a population-based cohort study.PLoS Med. 2016;13(8):e1002058. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002058

Amsterdam JD, Lorenzo-Luaces L, Soeller I, et al.Short-term venlafaxine v. lithium monotherapy for bipolar type II major depressive episodes: effectiveness and mood conversion rate.Br J Psychiatry.2016;208(4):359-365. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.115.169375

Grootens KP, Meijer A, Hartong EG, et al.Weight changes associated with antiepileptic mood stabilizers in the treatment of bipolar disorder.Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2018;74(11):1485-1489. doi:10.1007/s00228-018-2517-2

Praharaj SK.Metformin for lithium-induced weight gain: a case report.Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2016;14(1):101-103. doi:10.9758/cpn.2016.14.1.10

Chaker L, Bianco AC, Jonklaas J, Peeters RP.Hypothyroidism.Lancet. 2017;390(10101):1550-1562. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30703-1

Won E, Kim YK.An oldie but goodie: lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder through neuroprotective and neurotrophic mechanisms.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(12):2679. doi:10.3390/ijms18122679

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