Seroquel XR and Increased Appetite: What Users Say

• Sof...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 4, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar disorder type 2. I'm on Seroquel XR 150 mg for 10 years now. Before, I was on Seroquel 300 mg for more than a year. I have tried different antipsychotic medicine combinations for years, but only Seroquel works for me. Changed my life for the better. I have chronic insomnia, tried all sleeping pills, but only lasted for weeks, then I couldn't sleep anymore. But Seroquel put me to sleep, deeper sleep, and I wake up feeling better. I just need to sleep every night at the same time. Also, I gained weight, and the side effect when I feel groggy at night is I feel hungry, so I ended up eating at midnight. I know it sucks that I gained weight. I tried to stop taking it for a few days, then my depression attacked me very suddenly and my mood fluctuated. From then, I never stopped taking Seroquel and I feel better. I told my psychiatrist that Seroquel is my best friend, without it, I feel horrible. It is indeed a lifesaver."

• Smi...
• August 18, 2008

For Depression "For years I suffered from severe depression. Doctors must have tried every different medicine of this nature in hopes to help me, however, it wasn't until I was given Seroquel that I began to feel better and sleep like a baby. At first, I would sleep 12 to 14 hours after taking the medicine, then I began to get used to it. I haven't had a bout of depression in 3 years. I can sleep again, but now around 8 hours a night. I can honestly say I love this pill. Even with the side effects of hunger, it's totally worth it."

• Bri...
• April 5, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on this for about 2 months, and I've recently been getting extremely tired all day long (even if I take it way earlier the day before). The drowsiness is so extreme that I can't even watch a show. I'm literally struggling to stay awake all day because I feel like I just want to sleep my life away. My depression has been through the roof as well! And to top it off, the weight I have gained since I have been on it has been insane. I constantly want to eat all the time! I have gained at least 20-30 pounds in the past month or two! I am definitely going to tell my doctor I want off of it ASAP! I can't take it anymore."

• B30...
• May 13, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel XR has changed my life for the better. I am currently on 400 mg once daily. (I also take Klonopin before I go to work.) For the last 6 months, I have not had to call out sick from work, which was a monthly occurrence before Seroquel. I have not had to take a leave of absence in the last year. I used to have to take 2 six-week leaves a year. I feel much more positive about my job and my life in general. It has been a game changer for me. The only downside is the weight gain. It seems to slow your metabolism down and increase your appetite after taking it, making it difficult to lose weight. I am currently not overweight, so the weight gain is a small price to pay. I do have to exercise regularly and watch more carefully what I eat."

• Eey...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 21, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I was recently diagnosed with bipolar and began taking 25-50 mgs a night to aid insomnia because, at the time, I felt relatively well. I appear to be one of the few to embrace the side effect of increased appetite, when I'm manic, depressed, or even the slightest bit anxious, my appetite disappears. I can go weeks without feeling the need to eat, and I love eating! I used to smoke a lot of pot to help with my appetite and racing thoughts. I'm now taking 150 mg XR at night as I'm currently having a mixed episode. It helps quiet my mind and slows me down a little, but I don't feel in any way zombified. At night, soon after taking, I get sleepy, but that's about it!"

• Thi...
• October 13, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "My diagnosis is bipolar I. I have been on Seroquel XR for 3 years now. I have been stable for one year, which is amazing. I am very lucky that this medication works really well for me. For the first few months or so, it increased my appetite, and I was fairly sedated throughout the day. As I adjusted to the medication, this wore off. I now function better than I ever have. Suicidal thoughts are pretty much all gone, and when they do come, they pass. I have not had any depression and only slightly concerning elevated moods (which happen rarely). This drug prevents me from psychosis, and for that, I am extremely thankful. I am on 600 mg once at night. UK resident."

• van...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Have been on Seroquel XR 25 mg (once before bed) for about 6 months now, and my life has completely changed for the better. Yeah, the weight gain is a pain, but it's a small price to pay for normality. Social anxiety/severe insomnia has not been an issue for months!! I'm finally myself again. Have tried other antipsychotics, but nothing works as well as this one. Only downside is an insatiable appetite - but you can minimize weight gain by substituting with fruits, etc., which is what I'm currently doing."

• Anonymous
• September 18, 2011

For Depression "Seroquel XR is very good. It boosts up my energy. After trying other medications, this is the best, with little side effects. In the morning, you feel like staying in bed and weight gain because of hunger cravings."

• Anonymous
• August 18, 2013

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I take this medication for its side effects primarily. It works great if you have severe insomnia. This medicine makes you very hungry when you take it. It also helps to relieve anxious feelings and help calm feelings of stress. Again, my doctor prescribed this medicine due to weight loss, insomnia, and anxiety. This is not what the medicine is exactly made for, but I have tried dozens of medicines, and this is the only one that has helped with my problems."

• Anonymous
• May 17, 2010

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Excellent for sleep onset - up to a point. If things get really bad, I've had to augment it with temazepam and Valium. I also have depression. I was on and off it for about 3 months, and it causes brain fog and word retrieval problems. There is also a significant increase in appetite, but it's not as bad as Remeron."

• Skr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 27, 2014

For Schizophrenia "When I was 14, I was put on 450 mg/day before bedtime, and within 6 months, I gained 25-30 pounds. It worked super well to get rid of my hallucinations (including the tactile ones), but it made me extremely zombie-like. My grades slipped at school, and I slept as soon as I got home till the next morning. The first day, I slept 22 hours. This medicine made me so hungry all the time, and no matter how much I ate, I was never full."

• Alo...
• April 20, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar, most of the time, being on Seroquel has helped settle my racing thoughts, helps me sleep at night, and helps me regulate my moods. At times I still get the highs and lows, but not as severe without Seroquel. The side effects that I get are dry mouth, dry skin, increased appetite, and high cholesterol. Most of the time, this medication helps me out."

• kin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Took Seroquel XR for about 2 months, experienced help with sleep issues for about a week before that wore off. Gained at least 20 lbs in this time frame, due to increased appetite and general weight gain due to the drug. Never really seemed to help my bipolar disorder-the other medicines I take do that."

• Cck...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 18, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "While on Seroquel XR, my habits, escape mechanisms related to BPD were improved. These related to gambling, alcoholism, and reckless behavior. The side effects in my case were severe and included increased appetite, weight gain, tachycardia, and feeling like a zombie. I found myself questioning why I needed this drug?"