Do YOU think Haldol can cause weight gain?

[lcfrogs]

My therapist and nurse practitioner don't believe me when I say that my Haldol is causing my weight gain. They want me to stay on Haldol but I don't trust them. They think my weight gain is caused by my eating habits but I already don't eat enough. When I tell them that they just say that my body is holding onto everything...but I don't believe that because when I didn't take Haldol for two weeks I lost weight for the first time in a very long time. Has anyone ever taken Haldol or know anything about this? Ian?

[insights]

My therapist and nurse practitioner don't believe me when I say that my Haldol is causing my weight gain.

They are wrong. Haloperidol causes weight gain by its effects on D2 dopamine receptors of the pituary gland. This causes an increase in prolactin levels which reduces fat metabolism and may increase insulin resistance (Arakawa R, 2010; Melkersson K, 2011; Veselinović T, 2011).

Ian

[lcfrogs]

Thank you so much! I will show this to my therapist. I have another question: can Haldol cause high cholesterol?

[insights]

can Haldol cause high cholesterol?

No, it is more likely to lower it. At least it does in monkeys, although it hasn't been shown to do so in humans. However, it does cause the accumulation of desmosterol, a cholesterol precursor. Whether this is medically significant hasn't yet been established.

Frankly, weight gain and cholesterol are the least of your potential problems. You should not be taking Haldol for anxiety. There are much safer alternatives that are at least as effective.

Ian

[lcfrogs]

I had my blood drawn recently and the results said that I have high cholesterol, that's why I'm asking. It also showed that my thyroid is normal.

I guess I am more distressed about the weight gain piece than any other potential side effects because I have an eating disorder. I feel so unhappy about my weight right now. I never look in the mirror anymore because I become too disgusted. I'm not even overweight, I'm just at a higher weight than I've ever been at before. I feel trapped because it feels like I'm being forced to take Haldol. It has been the only drug that has ever eased my anxiety. I do like how it helps my anxiety but I would rather be anxious than be fat.

Currently, I am taking Effexor XR 150 mg with 2 mg Haldol. The idea was to wean off of the Haldol and just take the Effexor. However, I now believe that the Effexor has been causing the bad depersonalization I've been experiencing lately. So I am going to try to talk to my nurse practitioner about trying a new medication. I'm still aiming to not take Haldol anymore.

Every time I tell my therapist that Haldol is too potent of a drug for an anxiety disorder, she tells me that many medications have multiple uses and that Haldol doesn't necessarily have to be just for psychosis. It seems like any argument that I make is ineffective. I don't know what to do anymore and it's really frustrating. 

[insights]

she tells me that many medications have multiple uses and that Haldol doesn't necessarily have to be just for psychosis

No one disputes it works. It is that the potential price can be very high.

It seems like any argument that I make is ineffective.

You are in charge of your health. You don't have to argue, just tell. She is being paid by you, either directly or through your health insurance or taxes. Unless there is a valid medical reason why you shouldn't be taking another medication she has no right to dispute your wishes.

Ian