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

• Mer...
• December 7, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Okay, so, I was put on this medication to help manage my 'bipolar disorder.' This medication would either completely knock me out, or I would be able to fight it and stay awake throughout the night snacking all night long. It made me so hungry, and I gained 40 lbs on it. My doctor now wants to put me on Ziprasidone, which is similar to this medication, and I am very hesitant."

• Mel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 24, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Seroquel more years than I know. I have always been on the magical 200 mg. I'm only on 50 mg now because of weight gain. I really did not want to be on this and tried to go off. The headaches and misery are just awful trying to come off this drug. So, back on Seroquel... along with Lamictal, Tegretol, and Topamax. I have Bipolar 1, another name I've been told is Classic Bipolar. Seroquel helps with sleep for sure. Don't like the heaviness on the chest if it's too high a dose. Also, getting up to eat like 10 minutes after taking it. AND feeling zombie next day. I've noticed if my meds aren't taken before midnight, forget the next day. Next day is gone. Sleeping all day. And if I don't snack with these meds, my heart feels weird."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2016

"I'm not sure why so many people like this drug for insomnia. First night took 50 mg & slept for 5 hours. Second night took 100 mg & slept for 6 hours. Third night took 150 mg & slept for 7 hours. So I thought everything was cool at 150 mg, but after 1 week, it started to become less effective & was only getting 4 hours of sleep on 150 mg. I would even try to split the dose (take 50 mg an hour before bedtime & 100 mg at bedtime), but nothing gave. I think Zyprexa works better, but got on this because Zyprexa makes you gain weight on ANY dose, while Seroquel's weight gain is more dose-related (supposedly). Stopped taking it since it sucks at KEEPING me asleep (though it is good at putting me to sleep)."

• ger...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 24, 2013

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Gained excessive amounts of weight. Made me feel catatonic."

• Lil...
• December 5, 2011

For Insomnia "I would NOT recommend taking this medication for longer than a few weeks for insomnia. It works amazingly well at first, but then, over the course of time, you will need to up the dosage to get the same result. Over time, you will find that the medication makes you groggy and can cause weight gain. Then, when you try to get off, it is very, very hard. I was only on 50 mgs for 6 months, and it has taken 2 months for my sleep to occur naturally more than in 2-hour increments. Overall, it made my insomnia worse."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2011

For Depression "In October 2010, I had a psychotic attack. It appears that my old medicine, escitalopram (taken since 2004), has failed to treat my ongoing depression. Since I transferred onto this medicine about six months ago by a psychiatrist. Taken with escitalopram, I gained 1.5 stones in weight. No longer taking escitalopram, the weight has dropped off of me. Now taking a dosage of 200 mg daily, this medicine is not working on either the hallucinations or the depression. May need a stronger dosage and/or take in combination with an antidepressant."

• chu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "Username sums it up. Was on for five months. I felt great at first once I was on 100 combined with lamotrigine and antidepressants for bipolar disorder type 2. I was given this for sleep and mood. I slept fantastically. In a few months, I also put on almost 40 lbs and struggled to take off weight even with my Dr. adding Topamax, but that can help somewhat. Or Ozempic, which often isn't covered by insurance. This drug doesn't just make you hungry, it alters your actual metabolism and blood sugar. Some antipsychotics do this more than others. Seroquel is proven as one of the worst. The weight issue was miserable. Then I hit a major depressive episode, which meant this wasn't working, and with the major weight issue, going up on the dose wasn't worth it. Even eating less can still blow you up. Great sleep and mood till it failed me. I would recommend trying it, but watch out for side effects. Some people are more fortunate than others."

• Pet...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 26, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I first took Seroquel about five years ago. I liked it because it didn't have the same side effects, such as feeling extremely anxious, as other antipsychotic medications have. The problem that I had with it was that it gave me a huge appetite. The medication alone caused me to gain weight. Needless to say, I no longer take it."

• vos...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 12, 2017

For Schizophrenia "Definitely calmed me down during the first-time onset of schizophrenia. However, it makes me very sleepy, sometimes I sleep 14 hours a day, and when I wake up, I feel like I want to sleep even more. Also resulted in a lot of weight gain. Eventually, had to stop taking it because of how tired I always was."

• Bri...
• August 15, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel XR definitely helped me with my moods and rapid cycling. But... gave it away because I was forever hungry. I lost all internal compass on whether or not I required food, which is scary for me because I've always been normal weight and relied upon internal hunger cues to direct my eating. These cues were lost on Seroquel. I wanted to eat all the time! I put myself on a strict diet, yet the weight still kept creeping on. In my opinion, Seroquel lowers the metabolism, such that you'd have to restrict your calorie intake quite seriously. I'm going to try Latuda instead, as it's a 'weight neutral' preparation."

• 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!"

• L4u...
• December 5, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I have taken a low dose of Seroquel (100 mg) for 9 months. Over this time, the full-on cravings and my weight have slowly crept up on me. I worry if they keep going like this that I may end up with diabetes. I have put on 12 kg extra since I started on March 5, 2015. I also have no feeling down there during sex-just feels like pressure or a massage-I have no enjoyment. I am also on Lithium and Lovan. Neither of these medications has caused these problems in the past. My boyfriend says I have improved since being on this drug. I think I will, with the help of my doctor, take myself off this drug."

• 0rd...
• September 24, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel helped my paranoia and really kept me mentally stable, but I also was tired all the time, sometimes sleeping for 15 hours a day. I also gained 30 pounds within three months of being on Seroquel. I wouldn't recommend this medicine for anyone who does not wish to rapidly gain weight."

• 411...
• June 23, 2011

For Insomnia "I have been taking Seroquel for a while now. Aside from being extremely hungry when I wake up, groggy, and the weight gain, it is a really good sleep aid. I am currently on 200 mg. Not only am I less stressed and anxious, but it slows me down to a point where I can actually think clearly rather than having racing thoughts, and it tones down the late night activity greatly. I still work out and am very active, but it is a lot less extreme thanks to Seroquel."

• Anonymous
• January 5, 2011

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I'm on 700 mg of Seroquel. The worst side effects I have are intense hunger and weight gain, and a decrease in my sex drive. Both of these are horrible, but my mind is clear. Not sure if it's worth it or not. Wondering if there is a medicine out there to add to my regime that will deplete my hunger and boost my sex drive."

• jkq...
• September 25, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 17. I'm now 19. I was on Seroquel for about six months, and it did improve my episodes to be a lot less frequent. It was a Godsend in that area, but the side effects were horrible. I gained about 55 lbs in five months. I went from a size 4 to a size 12 in a very short amount of time. I became very depressed, I spoke with my doctor and stopped taking it, and I’m doing fine. I have not had any episodes since June 2009, and the weight is coming off very easily. I just exercise three times a week. Overall, I rate this medication a 6 just because of the side effects."

• hap...
• July 6, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been using this drug for almost eight years and have absolutely no complaints, except every year, no matter what I do, I put on a lot of weight."

• MJC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2025

"Been on a merry-go-round with sleep meds for years: Ambien, trazodone, mirtazapine. 200 mg Seroquel works better than any I've tried. I did put on 25 lbs and already had diabetes, so when I went without for a few days, I definitely noticed. Didn't sleep at all. The generic is inexpensive. Made me hypersexual, which isn't a bad thing for a 60 yr old woman. Like it."

• A d...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 3, 2023

"Very effective for insomnia, but wish I never started. I don't know why a doctor would prescribe a potent antipsychotic over a basic sleeping pill. I gained over 50 lbs in over a year and can't get it off no matter what I do. As for schizophrenia, I wouldn't know if it works, but wish they'd stop prescribing off-label. 100 mg at night will put you in a coma."

• Tem...
• November 28, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed this drug at crisis preparation and recovery services in Tempe, Arizona. I was misdiagnosed by her as 'bipolar.' While on this medication, alongside Lexapro and Klonopin, I gained weight fast and almost suffocated in my sleep. Be careful with this medication, and make sure you see a doctor before considering it-not a lousy nurse practitioner. Although I almost died from the drug, I know that the drug can be used well if the provider knows what they are doing. The NP was not listening to my concerns, which should have been red flags, and she was not educated on the subject of medicine enough to prescribe/diagnose. She is now under investigation by the state board and may not be working anymore."

• Bip...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 21, 2016

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Works kind of well, but you will sleep like nonstop, and you will gain weight. I gained at least 30 pounds on this med and was sleeping like 14 hours a day."

• Bex...
• October 15, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking 100 mg for over a month and had quite the reverse of increased appetite or weight gain, although this could be due to the low dose. But also I feel my manic behavior is not necessarily under full control, whilst the tablet also makes it near impossible for me to get up before 7 a.m. on consecutive days. All in all, though, I do feel more balanced, productive, and have a better sense of self-purpose and an ability to plan realistically on this drug. Although at this stage, I am keeping a close eye on feelings of paranoia creeping in. It can be hard to tolerate the side effects of this drug, though."

• ins...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 10, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "Took for bipolar. Good side effects: more or less consistently put me to sleep every night. Bad side effects: gained roughly 20 lbs 6 months in, had a difficult time getting up every day, needed more sleep than usual. It helped for a while, but it mostly made my episodes less severe, did not effectively stop or prevent them."

• sol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 6, 2014

For Schizoaffective Disorder "For me personally, the weight gain was dose-related. I gained over 200 lbs. by the time I got up to 600 mg a day. Even so, it does wonders for my schizoaffective and depression disorders."

• fre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 27, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "Took for bipolar disorder (for the depression). In small doses, this caused me to be too sleepy to function. When I took a large dose at night, however, it knocked me out, and I was good the next day. This really did help with the depression and mood swings. However, it caused significant weight gain. I had to stop taking this when a job had ended and I no longer had insurance. I fought insomnia for around 6 months, but after that time, was finally able to sleep again, and the weight came out. I would recommend this for someone who really needs it, but not until other medicines have been tried first with no success."