Seroquel and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Kae...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 12, 2018

"Let me just say, I hate Seroquel! I was prescribed it for sleep 8 years ago. For the first couple of years, I was on about 300-400 mg a day, and I would feel like I was literally dying when it kicked in. My heart would race, I felt like I couldn’t breathe, and then I’d just black out. It made me feel so sluggish the next day. Also, I gained so much weight on this! It makes you have an insatiable hunger, and it’s terrible. I would walk down the halls and knock into them like I was drunk, my vision was so blurry, and I couldn’t think. It was the worst sensation ever! I’m now down to 50 mg of the XR and trying to wean off, but I’m scared. Last time the doctor tried, I blacked out and my blood pressure dropped, and the hospital said I couldn’t wean off it. Now, a year later, I’m trying again, and it’s terrible. I can’t sleep, restless legs, can’t get comfortable, and feel tired all day. I don't recommend this to anybody!!!"

• eli...
• December 28, 2011

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Have been on and off Seroquel for a few years for severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Self-harm has been a big compulsion for me. With this medicine, it really helps reduce that and many other compulsions. Only big side effect is weight gain. But after being on it for half a year, I realize I'd rather be overweight than have the symptoms I typically have."

• be2...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 4, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "One of the best meds for bipolar. Low frequency of EPS and no prolactin elevation, however, I have gained approx. 10-12 lbs in one year, but that's a small price for mental stability. Recommend monitoring blood glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol."

• who...
• February 10, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "My doctor told me basically nothing else has worked, so what do you want him to do? The Seroquel seemed to help at first, but I gained weight quickly, and people are always asking if I'm expecting because I look maybe 5 months pregnant. I have paranoia problems as well with anxiety. I have suicidal thoughts throughout the day, but I don't share that with my doctor because I don't want to get put in a hospital, so I keep that to myself. I'm extremely depressed, and it doesn't help me sleep. I can't sleep because of the thoughts going crazy in my head, so I have to take Ambien. I'm sick of all these medications. I also take Wellbutrin for depression and Xanax for anxiety. The Xanax helps, but when I try to pull back from using it, my body jerks. I know I need help."

• Gon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Only lasted 2 weeks at the lowest dose, stopped because the side effects were so intolerable. Took in the evening, but still had trouble staying awake during the day and felt like a total zombie when I did. May have given this a couple more weeks to see if it would have worn off had I not gained 15 lbs as well (with no appetite change - I wasn't awake long enough to eat more!). I was already 35 lbs overweight from meds as it was, and when I med chunks me up, it doesn't stop. Only reason it gets 2 stars is that it kicked my chronic insomnia's butt."

• Hea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 4, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Although my doctor prescribed it mainly for bipolar depression, he will temporarily increase the dose in response to emerging manic symptoms, especially racing thoughts, agitation, extreme irritability, and delusions. Positive - Significantly (80-90%) calms my thoughts. Helps me fall and stay asleep. Keeps my depression in check. I am now compliant with all of my medications and trust my doctor. Negative - higher doses blunt my affect. I must take my dosage at bedtime because of tremendous sedation, which is when the drug saturation is highest in my blood and brain. If I must get up during the night, for example, bathroom, I'm disoriented and dizzy. I could never take it during the day. Weight gain from 'munchies.' Sex-related problems."

• Cho...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I was put on this drug in January 2013 when I was 16 and in October 2008 when I was 12. I have schizophrenia, and when I first took this back in middle school, I don't remember any negative effects but weight gain. I ended up being 150 lbs at 5'1 in March of 2009 at age 12, so we stopped it, and I lost 17 lbs. In 2013, I was prescribed this, and good God, I felt awful! I couldn't keep my eyes open at school, I had severe akathisia and was ravenously hungry! I knew it was the medicine because I wasn't dumb, so they took me off. I ended up going from 145 to 190 in a damn month, all because of this crappy medicine. This, Haldol, Risperidone, and Latuda are the worst antipsychotics ever given to me. I'm on Depakote, Zoloft, and Zyprexa now, and no negative side effects except for nausea. Never taking Seroquel again."

• esp...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 27, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Caused excessive weight gain (60+ lbs) very quickly (despite me eating LESS), caused a weird decrease in cognitive ability, higher blood pressure (I already have hypertension, thanks), elevated blood sugar levels, and probably other things I'm forgetting. I've been put on this against my will repeatedly because it's a Medicaid-favored drug in my state, but it DOES NOT WORK FOR ME. I still have Medicaid but go to a private pay shrink because he listens."

• Wei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I gained 50 lbs in less than 2 months. I stopped the medication months ago and still have most of the weight on, it’s a frustrating situation! Seroquel seemed helpful with my sleep, especially. Not sure about the mood swings, but it was great for sleep. Horrible for weight gain, though!"

• Blu...
• March 22, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Been in therapy with a counseling psychologist for just over 3 years. Diagnosis from consultant psychiatrist - complex PTSD, bipolar type 2, and fibromyalgia. Been on sertraline 200 mg for 2 years. Ate diazepam 2.5 mg like smarties after a relationship with an antisocial personality disordered man. Been taking quetiapine since December '15 and slowly moved up to 125 mg to increase to 200 mg. Was taking 7.5 mg mirtazapine for sleep though have now removed it due to increase of quetiapine and weight gain. Overall I'm feeling much calmer, more rational, less reactive, and more confident talking to people. After intrusive thoughts, cognitive dissonance, depression, anxiety, insomnia, crying, dissociation, nightmares, etc. I'm happy!"

• 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."

• Zel...
• June 22, 2015

For Schizophrenia "I've been on Seroquel twice now. I was hearing voices all day that affected my PTSD, then it was a falling block thing with my anxiety and depression. I love this medication because I also have sleeping problems - falling asleep and staying asleep. There's XR and non-XR (time release). I'm on 450; the higher you are on, the longer it takes to fall asleep. The only bad thing about this medication is weight gain. Be careful with that. I did research on all schizophrenic medications, and they all cause weight gain. Just a note; the reason I pay $60 is that I need to take 300 + 150 to make 450. The XR is $15 more. I go under Blue Cross Blue Shield, if this helps anyone."

• The...
• September 12, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Of all medications I have taken for mental illnesses, Seroquel has been the most effective. It started working almost immediately. At first, 25 mg nightly, then 50 mg, to 75 mg, to 100 mg only at bedtime due to the drowsiness that accompanies it. I now take 150 mg at bed and 25 mg with breakfast and 25 mg at lunchtime, which is keeping anxiety at bay. It required an increase monthly for me until now. The biggest benefit was treatment of insomnia, which in turn helped me manage my days better. It hasn't been effective in preventing or even reducing the effects of mania, which is why it didn't get a full 10/10 from me. The worst side effect has been the constant weight gain."

• Gab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I am a teenager, and I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. At first, everyone thought it was just depression, so I was put on Prozac. Prozac made me worse. It increased my anger, but that was just because I didn't have depression. I switched psychiatrists and found out I was bipolar. I was put on a low dose of Seroquel (50 mg), and within 3 weeks, I was on 200 mg. Seroquel works extremely well to mellow out my moods and keep me from being depressed or manic. The only side effect I'm experiencing is weight gain, but that is not a bad thing, as I have been underweight for a long time."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 11, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar about 15 years ago and have been on and off many medications. I now have insomnia, and Seroquel is the only medication I have found that will help me sleep (besides Geodon, which gave me involuntary muscle spasms). I take 100 mg a night. It does make me sleep a lot, which I really like. I usually sleep from 11 pm to 8:30 or 9 am. Thankfully, I don't have to be up early for any reason. I feel so stable and happy and rested on it. The reason I rated it a 9 instead of 10 is major weight gain: 30 lbs, and it hasn't stopped. I did recently try to switch to Latuda because of weight gain, and I was miserable with no sleep. I wish Geodon had worked because I actually lost weight on that."

• peo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 13, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel, 50 mg nightly in addition to Lithium (2 x 200 mg) and Cipramil (20 mg), a dream combo for me. Stops the racing thoughts and knocks me out cold for 8 hours/night. Slight weight gain of maybe 2-3 kilos, but hardly noticeable. I'll take the extra weight over hypomania and insomnia any day."

• gri...
• March 12, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been medically treating my bipolar disorder for 11 years. Finding the right medication and the proper doses is tremendous work. You may find that Seroquel is not helping you, but that may not be true, you may not have found the right dose, and initial side effects do subside. I take 900 mg lithium, 400 mg Seroquel, and 400 mg lamotrigine. Up until 2013, I was in and out of serious episodes that would last for months and destroy my life. I was taking 150 mg of Seroquel, and my doc was hesitant to increase my dose. This increase of dose saved me. I am no longer controlled by this disease and rarely have episodes. I do hate Seroquel for sedation, panic attacks at night, lucid nightmares, and weight gain. BUT I have my life back, and the negatives are so worth it!"

• cat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 11, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "This stuff is terrible! I have been on it for a very long time and had a lot of side effects like weight gain, but the worst one was dry mouth. I would drink 4 bottles of water every night, eat hard candy, and spend most of my time in the bathroom. I also wanted to eat everything in sight. My doctor finally took me off this stuff, and I'm on another drug like it but without all the side effects. I'm also feeling a lot better mentally."

• jes...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 4, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Overall, this medication saved my life. Very helpful for getting a good night's sleep. Before Seroquel, I was diagnosed but unmedicated and having violent/manic outbursts and insomnia that made work, school, and relationships almost impossible. I started on 100 mg but was still having psychotic and manic episodes where I thought people were out to get me and getting obsessive over people, ideas, new hobbies, and impulsive spending and other actions. I am now on 300 mg/day and feeling mostly stable with small upwellings of anxiety and mania, but considering a switch to another antipsychotic as I have gained almost 50 pounds on this medication. IMPORTANT: You do not need to pay $100s to see a psychiatrist if you have a general practitioner. Any medical doctor can diagnose you and write an Rx. Please don't suffer while waiting to be seen by a psych!"

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 24, 2024

"After many years of struggling with PMDD and trying everything in the book, I found two medications that really made a difference. One of them was daytime Seroquel. I was super reluctant at first because I had to get things done on those days, and I was worried I'd be too sleepy to function. However, when my anxiety and irritability were high, 12.5 mg of Seroquel really made me feel okay and sort of good again without knocking me out. There is a comfort that the Seroquel gives me, and the feeling that I want to curl up with a blanket, movie, and snacks. I was still able to get work done, however. I do have a fast-paced job on my feet, so that probably keeps me from lolling off too. The only problem is the 'snackiness.' I've gained 10 pounds this year, and my A1C is high. All of these antipsychotics have side effects, unfortunately. I'd say I’m a better employer, girlfriend, and friend, and I'm kinder to myself now, so it’s worth it."

• The...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 24, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have been on Seroquel for about 15 years. It is the only antipsychotic medication that has ever really worked for me, in terms of hallucinations and delusions. While I am grateful for that, I have battled for the whole of this time with food and weight gain - it is awful. I’ve tried to get off it with my psychiatrist a number of times, unsuccessfully. I try to remain grateful for all the good things it gives me, sleep and being able to function in the world, but it hasn’t always been easy."

• yor...
• January 28, 2009

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I've now been on this drug for 5 months. I haven't self-harmed during this time. I have gained some weight, although in recent weeks, I've been able to stop bingeing for the first time in years. I tend to wake up feeling down or agitated, so perhaps the pills aren't working for the full 24 hours. However, once I've taken the medicines, I am calm again. The major downside is that I easily sleep for 14 hours straight and find it impossible to motivate myself to do anything. The days go by very quickly, and I do little other than eat, sleep, and watch TV. In the long term, this has to be a bad thing, but for now, I'm happy not to be feeling ill."

• kec...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 1, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "It's a great medication. It helps me out a lot, the only thing is the weight gain. I've gained 30 pounds being on Seroquel. If only there's another medicine you can take with it so you don't gain the weight, that would be great."

• Bru...
• October 15, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I started this drug at age 19 when I was first diagnosed with schizotypal personality disorder and have been taking it for 5 years. I haven’t noticed any positive changes at first since you have to give the drug a couple of weeks to kick in. When it did kick in, this drug changed my life. I was more positive, outgoing, and overall in an elevated state of mind. The only downside to this drug was weight gain and too much sleep time. I’d still keep taking it, but it stopped working for me. Now I just feel really horrible on it. Definitely give this drug a try, though."

• Doe...
• November 25, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder 10 years ago (recently found out it is actually PTSD/c-PTSD), and I was started on 1200 mg of Seroquel. I was a zombie! I didn't want to do anything but sleep. I was so tired all day. One day after taking my medication and then sleeping 10 hours, I got in my car and was driving somewhere and fell asleep at the wheel. I totaled my car, but luckily I wasn't hurt and no one else was involved. I lost my job. The 'best' part, though, was the 110-pound weight gain I had in less than a year of taking this poison. I've been off of the crap for about 3 years now but still can't drop the weight it caused me to gain. Please be careful if considering taking this drug, it almost ruined my life."