Seroquel and Increased Appetite: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Mat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 13, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Seroquel saved my life. I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at 16 (I'm 18 now) and I've tried almost all second-generation antipsychotics since I was 13. All made me experience horrid side effects (extrapyramidal effects, paranoia, vomiting, emotionally flat). Seroquel, within 2 days of taking it, helped me feel relatively normal...with no akathisia/extrapyramidal effects. I can sleep, I don't feel anywhere as paranoid, the delusions have significantly decreased. The only thing that is a little funky is the hunger, but I can manage that. This drug has helped me live a normal life. I'm at 300mg now, and this is my safe spot. For anyone considering this medication, go for it. It's the only antipsychotic that has not made me crawl out of my skin and 'die' mentally. Genuinely a wonderful drug."

• K19...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I was on a number of medications. For hallucinations (both tactile and visual, as well as auditory), I’m dealing with more of the schizophrenia part. I’ve been diagnosed for a year now. I’ve been on Abilify, Risperdal, Zyprexa. And nothing until Seroquel. I am completely calmed down and feel much better. Really sleepy and very hungry. Restless legs and arms, but all around a good medication."

• lit...
• March 15, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel gave me my life back, calms me down and helps me think clearly during the day, and helps me sleep well during the night. Makes your mouth a bit dry and makes you hungry often but definitely worth it."

• oct...
• October 3, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been bipolar for 26 years. After my first and huge depression, I have not missed lithium, not even for a day. I have had a really good acceptance of Seroquel, but not of Seroquel XR. The difference is huge, and XR plays with your sleep patterns and more. The insatiable hunger is so, so true, as is the weight gain. I just eat less and less and less, and as a person who has had an amazing metabolism, I still am 105 lbs. After 3 children, my teen weight, I am now at 115 lbs, and I hate it. But I have no desire to stop Seroquel."

• dug...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 8, 2012

For Insomnia "I take 150 mg at night, and it's the best medicine I've ever tried. It does make me very hungry."

• Anonymous
• November 25, 2011

For Insomnia "Taking 25 mg. Works fantastically! Takes about an hour on 25 mg (used to take 50 mg, and it put me out in 30 mins, however, I was required at least 8 hours of sleep. Many times my alarm wouldn't even wake me up on 50 mg). However, like just about everyone else said, if I don't take it, I will NOT sleep. Also experienced weight gain (25 lbs in 2 months), so I am going to see if another sleep medication will work the same with fewer side effects. Does make me quite hungry about 30 mins after taking it, and I can't sleep on an empty stomach."

• Anonymous
• October 29, 2011

For Depression "This medicine really helped me with both depression and sleeplessness, the only negative side effects were that I tended to need at least 9-10 hours of sleep a night rather than my usual 7-8. Also, I had some weight gain due to a significantly increased appetite after each dosage."

• Anonymous
• April 8, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Seroquel for several years. I am taking 400 mg at bedtime to help with insomnia but mostly for bipolar. I have tried other medications to help me sleep, like trazodone, Ambien, and Klonopin. The Seroquel works, but boy, do I eat after taking this pill. I'm tired of eating so heavy after taking this pill."

• Anonymous
• March 29, 2011

For Depression "I am 49 and have Bipolar II. Been on Seroquel 400 mg for one year. Initially very drowsy, restless legs, dry mouth, and blocked nose, most side effects lifted after 3 months. This medicine controlled my racing thoughts, helped me concentrate (I thought I had ADD). Ironically, despite the drowsiness, it lifted my extreme exhaustion (I used to have weekly Vitamin B injections because I was so tired). I no longer feel drowsy, managed not to gain weight with the help of a dietitian and an exercise program. I do get very hungry but refuse to give in to the hunger. I also take Wellbutrin and Zoloft to help with the depression, tearfulness, and agitation. I would recommend Seroquel to bipolar patients."

• Anonymous
• September 11, 2010

For Insomnia "My doctor prescribed Seroquel for my insomnia, which I began experiencing during menopause. The Seroquel, 50 mg, works like a charm. If I take it on an empty stomach, I feel sleepy within 1/2 hour and sleep very well through the night. Dreams are more vivid, I agree. I also agree that I often feel hungry before I fall asleep after taking Seroquel. All in all, it has been very helpful."

• Anonymous
• October 25, 2009

For Insomnia "I have taken this medication in the past for insomnia, and I admit it works great. If I take 25 mg, I'll go out and fast, but it doesn't keep me asleep, so I have to take 50 mg or even more for it to last. I stopped taking it due to the weight gain. I read about it, and Seroquel causes your blood sugar to drop, which is the reason for the hunger - and the reason I only wanted cereal. That's the reason I stopped taking it, but I am considering asking my doctor for it again because, since stopping, I have tried so many different sleep aids, and nothing works. From Trazodone to Ambien to now Sonata - and nothing works, so then I end up taking like 3 pills, which I know cannot be good."

• woo...
• August 11, 2008

For Bipolar Disorder "In the hospital, I received treatment for a significant manic episode with psychosis. I was on Geodon, but it had stopped working, so I switched to Seroquel. At low doses, it was ineffective, however, now I'm taking 600 mg at night, and it has worked well. At this dose, after a couple of days, I felt like myself again. I've noticed some drowsiness, but in my experience with antipsychotics, it will fade as I become acclimated to it. However, I am extremely hungry all of the time. Hopefully, this will go away."

• Hop...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 14, 2025

"Used to treat my insomnia, anxiety, and depression since I was a young teenager. I've been on it for 10+ years and only needed 1 dose increase. It has been so helpful, especially paired with a low-dose trazodone. It definitely does make you very hungry about an hour after taking it, but a late-night sandwich never hurt anyone."

• Lin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I take a low dose of Seroquel, and it is helpful as a sleeping pill. It can get rid of bad thoughts. I've experienced weight loss on it. It helps with increasing my appetite, though. I can still drive well on this drug. Insurance covers this drug."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I love it for sleep. Honestly, I was on Ambien, and I took way too many, and it wasn't safe. I honestly thought nothing could work like it, but Seroquel was a lifesaver. I sleep like a rock. It does make me hungry, though."

• Lig...
• January 31, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "The reason I'm rating this drug 10/10 is that it does not stab you in the back, and it does not ask for increased doses. It works all the time and kicks in fast, making you feel euphoric combined with sleepiness. If you stay awake more than 30 minutes after taking it, you will feel hungry. So, if you are worried about gaining weight, just take it and sleep. Find your correct dose that works well, and remember good sleep equals a good mood. If you feel sleepy the next day, that's okay, drink some coffee + 1 cup of water. And remember to do 20 minutes of exercise every day, just not before going to sleep, and you will feel better 100%."

• Mik...
• October 15, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel is great. Been taking it for seven years. I take 200 mg at night for bipolar. It does take time to get used to it. It does cause me to get hungry 30 minutes after taking it. Just eat a healthy snack. At first, I did gain a couple of pounds. Searching online did not help. Everyone complains about how much you need to eat. It's self-control. I make sure to exercise every day. And trust me, it's not easy. There are days I have no energy. But I tell myself I have 3 little girls and have to make sure I do not get fat and unhealthy. I have bad mood swings without it. It caused me to make it miserable for my wife, kids, and coworkers. Driving was a mission every day."

• Anonymous
• November 27, 2010

For Insomnia "I have had insomnia since I recovered from an Adderall addiction, then used alcohol to self-medicate. Not sleeping makes me frantic. My psychiatrist prescribed Seroquel 150 mg, which I have been using for 3 years, and it works perfectly. Takes effect in less than an hour, during which I read quietly in bed, and I have no issues in the morning, nor have I experienced any hunger. Like others have said, without it I do not sleep, so I have to make sure it is always available. I have had no need or desire to increase the dose."

• Anonymous
• August 6, 2010

For Insomnia "I have had insomnia for almost 30 years, since puberty. Having a child made it worse. Diagnosed with hypomania, which explained why I woke up and started having racing thoughts once the sun went down. Tried every sleeping pill there, in combination at times. This is the only thing that worked. I am doing 50 mg with 4 mg clonazepam 2 hours before bed. I take it on an empty stomach as I have learned within an hour of taking it you will get hungry. So I simply eat my dinner late. Have not gained weight yet."