Will you lose weight after stopping Abilify?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Will you lose weight after stopping Abilify?
You may or may not lose weight after stopping Abilify. This atypical antipsychotic medication has a low potential for causing weight gain, but it still can make some people gain a lot of weight. Such people may experience weight loss after Abilify (1,2).
However, a person who did not gain any weight on Abilify is not likely to lose any weight after stopping it. If you’re losing weight after stopping Abilify, there could be other factors involved as well. Some of the reasons to look out for include:
- Not eating enough
- Not getting enough sleep
- Dehydration
- An underlying health condition like hyperthyroidism, diabetes, etc.
- Use of any other medication
If you’re losing a significant amount of weight, reach out to your healthcare provider right away. Only your doctor can determine the exact cause of your weight loss and the best way to prevent that from happening if it’s making you extremely weak.
If you’re overweight or obese, losing weight could be a good sign, but if that weight loss is rapid, it is not considered healthy. Meanwhile, stick to a good diet and move as much as you can. You need to take good care of yourself if you wish to recover fast.
How to achieve safe and effective weight loss after Abilify withdrawal?
To achieve safe and effective weight loss after Abilify withdrawal, there are a few things you can do.
Consult your healthcare provider
Before starting any weight loss plan, it’s crucial to speak with your healthcare provider. If you have stopped taking Abilify completely but you are still experiencing withdrawal symptoms, your doctor will determine the best course of action to restore your health.
In some cases, there is a concern about rebound psychosis, which should also be closely monitored. Just don’t start any extreme weight loss procedures or fad diets that may start to mess with your head or trigger the symptoms of your condition.
Focus on a balanced diet
Focus on a diet that includes a variety of nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. It’s also important to create a calorie deficit by consuming slightly fewer calories than your body needs, while still meeting your nutritional requirements.
You can also try portion control. By paying attention to your portion sizes, you can avoid overeating. Use smaller plates and bowls to help control your portions visually, and listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues.
Regular physical activity
Engage in regular exercise that suits your fitness level and preferences. Choose activities that you enjoy, such as walking, swimming, cycling, or dancing. You can also try a combination of cardiovascular exercises to burn calories and strength training to build muscle.
Monitor your progress
Keep track of your weight loss progress, but don’t obsess over the numbers. Focus on how you feel, your energy levels, and your overall well-being. Sustainable weight loss takes time and patience.
Final words
To sum up, you can lose weight after stopping Abilify. This anti-psychotic medication can cause significant weight gain in some people, which can also affect mental health. However, you can lose this weight by putting in some effort and opting for a healthier lifestyle.
Remember, everyone’s body is unique, and weight loss may vary from person to person. The key is to approach it in a healthy and gradual manner, focusing on long-term lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes.
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References
1.-
Singh T. Aripiprazole-induced weight gain. Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2005 Jun;2(6):19. PMID: 21152150; PMCID: PMC3000187. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3000187/#__ffn_sectitle
2.-
Speyer H, Westergaard C, Albert N, Karlsen M, Stürup AE, Nordentoft M, Krogh J. Reversibility of Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Jul 28;12:577919. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.577919. PMID: 34393989; PMCID: PMC8355990. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34393989/