Seroquel and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Pau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 23, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Only reason I gave this medication Seroquel 3 stars is because, if you have trouble sleeping, this pill will knock you out! Other than that, it makes you extremely hungry, causing weight gain, may feel sluggish and irritated in the morning, and also I noticed vivid dreams and sometimes nightmares. Sidenote: I experience post-nasal drip that suddenly got better over time. Seroquel makes my allergies worsen, causing extreme post-nasal drip!"

• Whi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 2, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "This was the first antipsychotic I was put on, I was pushed into it by my psychiatrist at the time. I was on a low dose, 150 mg. I took it for four months before taking myself off it due to extreme tiredness and horrific weight gain. I gained over 2.5 stones in the time I was on it, despite managing my food intake very carefully and exercising rigorously. A couple of years later, I wound up being prescribed Seroquel again, this time at 300 mg. Same as last time, it really knocked me out, and once again I gained weight. This med did nothing for my mood, but I kept being told to 'give the medication time to work.' After six months, I came off it again. Since weaning off the med, I haven't slept properly, and that was almost three months ago."

• Anonymous
• November 18, 2010

For Borderline Personality Disorder "This medication is adequate compared to others in its class, despite still causing significant side effects such as weight gain (which is very undesirable). At first, this medicine seemed very strong and made me 'zombie-like' (e.g., slow, unemotional, sleepy), but after a couple of days, these were significantly improved. I was on a dose of up to 75 mg, and as far as the effects of each individual dose; 25 mg helped with sleep and 'anger management,' 50 mg increased my hunger (a lot), and 75 mg helped a little more with anxiety and emotional stability."

• Rey...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 5, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I was in and out of the psych ward for psychosis (diagnosed bipolar I with mania-induced psychosis) for years until I finally committed to taking my meds and was put on Seroquel 200 and lithium 900 nightly. I slowly weaned down the Seroquel and have been at 25 mg for the past year in addition to the lithium. I have had zero episodes and have had a cool, stable mood since then. Seroquel works great for insomnia, and the regular sleep has helped keep my mania non-existent. On a low dose, the weight gain is manageable with proper diet and exercise, and there are little to no side effects (besides the serious munchies)."

• Syd...
• August 2, 2011

For Insomnia "I've been taking this medication for quite a while, and while it worked at first, I noticed that I quickly started building up a tolerance to it. Every couple of weeks, my dose is increased, and it's been very frustrating. While it does get me to sleep, it doesn't help me stay asleep. Also, there has been a tremendous amount of weight gain, which I can't lose even with diet and exercise. Great for short term, not for long term."

• CNC...
• November 9, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I was on Seroquel from November of 2014 to September of 2015. This medicine was terrible. By the end of me being on it, I was up to 400 mg. Before I started taking this medicine, I was losing weight, and bam, all the weight I lost came back. I was sleeping all the time, I didn't have the energy to do the things I loved. My mood swings were getting worse. I hated myself on it. It was awful."

• Anonymous
• May 30, 2009

For Schizoaffective Disorder "This drug is good for controlling symptoms. You can lead a normal life on this drug. It is sedating at first and on higher doses. I find that the only troublesome side effect has been weight gain (around 2 and a half stones). Overall, a good drug."

• anx...
• March 14, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I took this medication on top of my regular antidepressants to help with my mood as well as insomnia. This was the worst medication I could have possibly used. I have a history of anorexia and binge eating disorder, and Seroquel caused me to gain 10 pounds in a month, which sent me into a total depressive episode."

• kas...
• November 12, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "Best medication for Bipolar I Disorder! I have had psychotic episodes my entire life, up for weeks, voices, could never sleep, screaming at night! This medication was my savior. Initially, I gained weight. I was eating carbs like crazy. But after my moods stabilized, I started enjoying life and the weight started coming off. There are many different medicines out there. If one doesn't work, don't give up. Try something else, work with your doctor to adjust the dosage. I am up to 600 mg at night. I wish I would have found this years ago!"

• Mol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 5, 2019

"I have Asperger's syndrome. I suffer with generalized anxiety, major depression, and paranoia. Seroquel is amazing, I never realized that I could feel this good! Munchies and weight gain are a real concern, but it is manageable. The only downside for me is that I'm so sleepy for most of the day."

• Liv...
• October 21, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel has been a godsend for me. It stabilized my moods and stopped my 'extra thoughts' or 'popcorn brain.' I take 600 mg at bedtime, and my psychiatrist has allowed me to take an additional 100 mg if my mood gets ramped up. I do get side effects from it, like blurred vision and restless legs. About an hour after taking Seroquel, the restless legs subside, and I am sleepy enough to get a good night's sleep. I am prescribed benztropine (Cogentin) for the restless legs, and it helps some. After I take my medicine, I do not drive until the next day, as there is a risk of an accident and getting a DUI. I did have a rapid weight gain of about 40 pounds, but I would rather be overweight and functioning and not hospitalized."

• Anonymous
• August 14, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I was on Seroquel for only a few weeks, but that was more than enough. I had hallucinations and gained a significant amount of weight in that time. It did help me sleep at night and helped with my racing thoughts, but that's about it."

• 649...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 29, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I have started to take 200 mg in July 2015. I have gained too much weight, nearly 20 kg. I have taken 100 mg in December 2015, and now I have been taking 50 mg. I want to quit Seroquel because I feel like a zombie. I sleep very well, but I can't get up early, and I often go to work too late. During the day, I feel tired and sleepy. For my mind and brain, it is good, but the damage of Seroquel is more than the benefits, I think. It does cause addiction. I want to quit it, or I want to take 25 mg anymore."

• gly...
• August 16, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been diagnosed with bipolar 1 (runs in family), borderline personality, general anxiety, and epilepsy. I take 400 XR mg of Seroquel at night with 1 mg lorazepam, 60 mg mirtazapine (SNRI), 10 mg Lexapro (SSRI) in the morning, 1000 mg of Depakote in the morning and 1300 mg at night, 100 mg of lamotrigine in the morning and 200 mg at night. Before Seroquel, I still had the mania and depression, although less intense due to my other medication levels finally being correct, but once on Seroquel, the length between phases has been much longer, and to a point, even lessened the intensity of the highs and lows more. Between phases, I've felt more life, calmness, happiness, and much more. I totally recommend this drug. Its only major side effect for me has been weight gain (a lot of)."

• Cle...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 6, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel helped my mental status, but I couldn't take being tired all the time, and the weight gain was ridiculous, even with eating healthy and working out six days a week. To get off of it, you have to taper so slow. When I dropped from 12.5 mg to 0 mg, I went through terrible withdrawals, way worse than stopping opiates. Throwing up, flu symptoms, I lived in bed and was close to wanting to just quit. I was worthless from day three of stopping to day nine. I woke up on day ten feeling back to my old self and so happy to be free of this stuff they call Seroquel."

• fly...
• August 21, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "Diagnosed bipolar II early 2017, age 29. A combination of 100 mgs of lamotrigine + 20 mgs Lexapro worked better to stabilize my moods/reduce my anxiety than anything ever had before, I was happy. Partner and I decided I was in a good place to start planning for a baby, however, my psych warned of the possible risks of conceiving on lamotrigine, so I began a 12 mth period of transitioning to Seroquel, which is considered lower risk during pregnancy than lamotrigine. Transitioning between drugs was going to be destabilizing - I was prepared for that. What I wasn’t prepared for was getting to a point where I should have “stabilized” on my 200 mgs of Seroquel, and to be more depressed, more tired, more overweight, less motivated, more aggressive/irritable than I had been in a very long time. I gained 10 kgs in a year, my appetite was HUGE, and I could barely function due to heavy sedation. Back on lamotrigine now and feeling much more like my happy self again."

• Zom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 21, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Weight gain, lethargic 300 dosage at bedtime, any more you'll have heads turning in public. Reclusion is a major problem due to zombie effects, messed up part is my roommates had to tell me because I didn't even notice. I have not been able to get a job. I tried college, and it didn't work. My short-term memory is short, can't even remember what I ate for dinner three days ago. I do sleep, though. All you can do is push on and forget."

• Anonymous
• January 26, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "This drug has changed my life. I'm on 300 mg and find it helps me sleep and stops me from becoming stupidly manic. I haven't gained any weight, but I go to the gym and walk every day, so I'm very active. My only complaint is it takes me quite a while to wake up in the mornings. I'm also on 300 mg of Lamictal."

• Anonymous
• June 12, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel has helped me a lot in the crisis days. However, I have gained a lot of weight and get drowsy easily. I would recommend it if you are really agitated and full of anxiety and have racing thoughts."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• bel...
• October 26, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel only helped at the start and only with sleep. It has now been 10 years, and it is making me a walking zombie. I have had major weight gain. I was a mere 120 when I started taking this medicine, I now weigh over 200 pounds. It is a nightmare for me. I still constantly eat. I cannot stop."

• joh...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 11, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "The cons: higher appetite, weight gain, diabetes, cognitive dulling. The pros: I take 800 mg a day all at night, and once a quarter I accidentally double dose and feel perfect after that. I just slept for 24 hours during a staycation, and wow do I feel good and sharp. So my employer is aware of my condition, and we structure my workload such that I do serious creative computer programming in the afternoon after the 'dulling' wears off. My advice is to take it all at 8 pm and get in bed at 8:30 - 9:00. Then you will be able to do normal work at 9 am and complex work after noon. Diet and exercise are key because you have to manage the diabetes that comes with it. If I feel depressed or manic, I might add 400 mg, and that usually fixes it, but that is probably risky. Also note that the generic is really cheap now, under $25 a month at max legal dose, or $54 for 3 months' worth."

• Upp...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 19, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel and I have a love-hate relationship. When I first started taking it, I was in a hospital, my psychiatrist prescribed it. I had super vivid dreams, but he insisted I stay on it and they’d go away. He was right, they did. Seroquel works great to calm your mind when you start receiving the correct dosage. However, I’m sleepy all the time! It’s definitely a drug that I don’t want to be on very long. I’ve gained about 20 lbs since being put on it, 7 months ago."