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

• Ann...
• August 30, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I too gained masses of weight taking Seroquel but lost it all (35lb) in 6 months by healthy eating & being AWARE of the pitfalls. Seroquel does not make you gain weight. Seroquel makes you crazy HUNGRY craving all the bad stuff - salt/sugar/fried food for me. The secret is to ANTICIPATE your munchies. Prepare a large but healthy snack in advance or save half your evening meal and have it at bedtime just before you take your meds. This really worked for me. Taking my meds on a full stomach took the cravings away."

• Gla...
• January 7, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Seroquel (400 mg) for 8 years at bedtime for my bipolar II disorder - it works very well in calming the racing thoughts, the insomnia, the manic episodes, and the overwhelming depression. However, it has caused some weight gain (20 lbs), and it does cause my heart to pound very hard about an hour and a half after I take it. Therefore, my doctor has recently switched me to Geodon, but I am still taking the Seroquel at 200 mg every other night because I was having withdrawal from stopping suddenly. Hopefully, I will lose the weight I have gained on the Seroquel and will not experience the heart-pounding side effect. Other than that, I highly recommend Seroquel. I give it an 8/10."

• e-d...
• November 15, 2009

For Insomnia "I take Seroquel 200 mg every night, and it makes me want lots of cookies and donuts, no lies. I love sweets now, where before I hated sweets. My roommate eats 100 mg and has to eat cookies and cereal as well. We are both fat, thanks to Seroquel. At least I sleep by myself, otherwise, I would be kicking someone all night long due to my crazy legs. I also have very vivid dreams. I wake up not knowing if I have hurt someone or done drugs."

• lyn...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 3, 2025

For Bipolar Disorder "This drug literally saved my life. At first, it is hard to get used to the fogginess and feeling sleepy, but most of the side effects went away after 6 months. I did gain about 30 lbs, but that was over the course of 10 years and I have recently been able to get it off. I have had to keep track of calories and eat well to not gain weight on this med. However, that is a better lifestyle anyway. This med helped so much with my OCD/intrusive thoughts and depression. I don't know if I will ever go off this med. At this time, 50-100 mg is all I need. However, when I have a major depression episode, it is increased to 200-300, but that has only happened 2x in 18 years. I felt I needed to write this for someone on the fence about trying this medicine or not. I am glad I did."

• Ler...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 14, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "Been on Seroquel for a little over three years, and in that time, it has saved me. Like all medications, there are side effects. The weight gain and trouble speaking as much as usual have been difficult, but the positives outweigh the negatives. It pulls me right out of a real deep funk or the highest mania and keeps me on track. Truly a lifesaver with amazing mood-stabilizing properties. Although I highly recommend watching your food intake while on the medication."

• ran...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 17, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "I have panic disorder, and my doctor prescribed a low dose of Seroquel a few years ago to take for sleep and quick relief for panic attacks, and it works a charm. I got off it for well over a year before my panic came back, so I asked to go back on it. I'm on 150 mg XR at nighttime now and still have the instant release 25 mg, which I haven't had to take in months. The only downside I can find is weight gain, I have gained a lot of weight, but also I don't exercise or eat healthily, so that's my fault. Eat a healthy diet and exercise, and you'll be right. It has helped with my intrusive thoughts associated with my panic and suspected OCD."

• 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!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 6, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Seroquel has worked wonders for me. I had been on Abilify for 9 months, but it eventually stopped working. I asked my psychiatrist if I could try out Seroquel, and we started at 50 mg. It worked wonders within a matter of days. My paranoia had completely gone away, and so did the delusions. I’ve been on this medication for about 7 months, and all of my psychotic symptoms went away. It also has helped my anxiety so much (in addition to being on Zoloft and Propranolol) and mood swings. I feel more at ease since being on Seroquel and highly recommend this medication. Do be aware of its weight gain effects, though - my doctor added metformin to help control that."

• 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."

• Jor...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 1, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I have tried many different medications over the years. Anti-depressants never worked for me at all, and I got horrible side effects. I have depression, ADHD, anxiety, possible BP, or BPD. I was at my wits' end honestly, and my life was falling apart rapidly. 100 mg of Seroquel gave me motivation that I have never before experienced. It helped me to actually focus and listen during my therapy sessions and helped put my life back together. I also desperately needed ADHD medication but could never go on it because of bad anxiety, but now I can because of Seroquel! I did gain about 50 pounds or so, and just a warning, you most definitely will gain weight on this medication. But honestly, it’s worth the trade-off. It really helps me when I get the hunger pains to exercise instead of eating because it’s a different type of hunger, and your body just needs the stimulation. Also, a word of warning: never try to go off this medication without a doctor's help. I couldn’t access my medication for about a week, and it was absolutely horrible."

• Woo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I started Seroquel due to being on the 'spectrum' of bipolar and having bad anxiety, depression, and some paranoia. I remember when I started it, feeling at peace just being in public. Calmest I have ever felt in my life. Had to stop it because I was having issues with it causing edema in my legs. Have issues with type 2 diabetes prior to this, so figured I'd better not try to start it up again. I really wish I could because it was nothing short of a miracle for me. Weight gain wasn't bad. Getting up too fast from bed would cause dizziness and ear ringing sometimes, but just a few hours after I took it at night. (Didn't happen that often though.) In combination with Luvox, it made a big difference in my life for the better."

• Lan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2020

"This Seroquel has so far been a game changer for me. I am a 25-year-old female, roughly 55 kg, insomnia sufferer. I usually have very broken and inconsistent sleeping patterns. I came to the conclusion that I probably needed sleep assistance after years of issues. I take 50 mg at night around 11-12, and it knocks me out within half an hour. Don’t make the mistake of staying up on your phone or doing other things because you will end up staying awake in a daze raiding the fridge. Take it when you are ready to switch off and go to bed. I have noticed I wake up ravenous, so I do cardio and caffeine in the morning to avoid weight gain. I can see how easy it could be to gain weight on this drug. Overall, it works well for me. I could probably be getting away with 25 mg instead of 50 mg, but I have such sleep anxiety that 50 mg is my safe amount that I know will knock me out without overthinking."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 27, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel has been a life-changer for me. It has curtailed my manic episodes and kept me sane as I struggle with bipolar I with paranoid features. I recently attempted to switch to Geodon due to weight gain, but I immediately switched back to Seroquel because the benefits outweigh the risks of some mild weight gain. I take 400 mg daily: 200 mg in the morning and 200 mg in the evening. It helps me get a decent night’s sleep, which is crucial for keeping me from slipping into bipolar episodes. I give it a 9/10 because the weight gain can be a moderate annoyance."

• 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."

• 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."

• Sar...
• November 26, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar 2, depression, anxiety, and so I started taking Seroquel in 2005. It has helped my racing thoughts, some of my nightmares, and fears, and it has helped me sleep. I gained a lot of weight on it. It has helped me to get better with my mental health issues. I think it's helped me have a better life. I'm grateful to all the people who made Seroquel a medicine that's approved for people to use. Because it helps me feel a lot better. I also take Citalopram for depression and Ativan for anxiety. I also take Depakote."

• 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)."

• J M...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Pleased with this medication. I was diagnosed with bipolar II two years ago at age 48. Started on lamotrigine (300 mg) and bupropion XL (150 mg) taken in the morning, which worked well, but didn't calm the incessant negative and depressing thoughts I was still battling. Seroquel was added recently. I take 300 mg at bedtime. Great sleep medication! This is the best, most effective medicine I've ever used if I need to get to sleep early in order to wake up early in the morning for work. I exercise on my elliptical on average 5 days a week, and haven't experienced any weight gain since taking Seroquel, gratefully. I think weight gain would be less of an issue if more bipolar people committed to exercising on a regular basis."

• Baz...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 4, 2016

For Schizophrenia "I've been taking Seroquel for 17 years. I am diagnosed as schizophrenic, but for the last 10 years, I have had very few symptoms. After 6 years of being shifted from one med to another, all of which made me feel awful, put on weight, and had no effect on my condition, I was happy to be put on Seroquel purely because I felt normal. However, it still had very little effect on my symptoms. I was very reluctant to change meds again, so I stuck with it. I had my energy back, started getting out exercising, and began losing the weight I had put on. The schizophrenia was still there, but at least having a break from just sitting there with it. It took a while, but after 2-3 years, the symptoms started to decrease and kept on decreasing."

• 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)."

• Wha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 23, 2015

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Seroquel is awesome. 300 mg kicked my butt. It took a year to drop down to 100 mg. No matter the dosage, I don't snap out of it until midday. Best sleep ever. Gained a lot of weight. My worst side effect is tight muscles, in legs more than anywhere."

• Tlg...
• March 28, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Seroquel for 2 years. It really is a miracle. It has helped with my mood swings and problems sleeping. The only issue has been the weight gain. I've probably put on 35 lbs, and I've never had a problem with weight gain. The benefits of this medication make up for the weight gain."

• ECC...
• November 14, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "At first, it was horrible. I felt like I was dying every time I would take it before bed. I felt as if I were to fall asleep, I'd never wake up. This lasted 2 weeks, maybe a month. My body eventually adjusted to it, the voices went away, slowly but surely. I was also in a serious state of depression, and it takes some time. But now, after a little over a year of taking it, being bipolar and having countless manic and depressive episodes, Seroquel has saved my life. I've never felt like myself like I do right now in such a long time. The only downside is you have to seriously monitor your weight on this thing. The pounds just pile up if you don't watch your weight carefully."

• Gem...
• November 10, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel has worked wonders for me. I have been diagnosed with Bipolar 2, and after 7 months on Seroquel, I feel like a whole new person. I had been severely depressed and was self-harming before getting on Seroquel, and now I have never been so happy before! The only problem is the weight gain - I have gained about 20 pounds since I started taking this medicine. But this side effect is worth it to have my depression and anxiety gone!"

• Sea...
• October 16, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking Seroquel for 7 years, after 20 years of delusional thoughts, mania, and large amounts of depression. It worked within two weeks, and I noticed that when I woke up each day, my delusional thoughts were getting easier to identify and let go of. It changed my life. Since taking Seroquel, I have been able to learn how to drive, work in permanent jobs, save money, travel overseas, socialize, have a successful relationship, and reconnect with the real me. I have also worked on my cognitive and emotional development and continue to attend counseling. I have gained 30 kgs, but this has probably come about due to the combination of Seroquel, inactivity, diet, and sleep apnea (of which I have only just been diagnosed)."