Quetiapine and Increased Appetite: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Min...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 9, 2023

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been taking quetiapine on and off for years. I have to say that the drug makes you feel great. I have been taking various doses over the years also because of different life events and tolerances built up. I can sometimes go without taking it for some length of time, but I find that when anxiety gets you down, this drug is amazing at making you feel calm and relaxed. I suffer from quite bad anxiety and this drug takes away all that worry. It does make you extremely hungry, and I now have a large stomach, haha. But it’s great. I currently take 6.25 mg and just enough to get you to sleep and feel chill. At higher doses, you can feel tired and groggy the next day, which is no good for work. Anyway, I approve of this drug."

• Bri...
• April 5, 2017

Quetiapine 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."

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

Quetiapine "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!!!"

• Hal...
• May 23, 2015

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "So I started on this two weeks ago, may need to go a bit stronger as over time when I was younger, just tried to mellow out on illegal drugs. Seroquel is the best thing I have tried. I am 32 and just been diagnosed with bipolar. Doesn't make me sleepy, makes me hungry a little bit. But has changed my life, stopped the agitation and horrible thoughts that run riot in my head. Just slows it down, and I am able to see clearly. I am only on a mild dose, but in saying this, I'm glad I take one when I can feel my mania coming on."

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

Quetiapine 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."

• Anonymous
• April 3, 2012

Quetiapine for Insomnia "I was prescribed Seroquel 50 mg a few years ago after an eighteen-year battle with constant sleep problems. And it does help me get to sleep every night; my dosage has never changed. My only complaints are the rampant hunger I experience before giving in to the fatigue and the dizziness/nausea when trying to stand for too long after the effects have set in. As far as sleeping medication goes, Seroquel takes the cake. I don't notice any psychoactive effects aside from the sedation."

• Cha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 6, 2016

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I really have a love/hate relationship with quetiapine. Here goes... Love - keeps moods stable, helps with my psychosis and disassociation linked to bipolar and EUPD. I feel like it keeps my more volatile mood swings back and helps me to be calm in situations I would ordinarily struggle with. Hate - Man, it makes me eat. I've been on it for 9 months and I've put on just over 2 stone. I hate being this heavy, but it seems no amount of gym sessions (I'm extremely physically fit but can't lose the weight) and diets help. Every night I go to the fridge after I've taken 200 mg of it. It also makes me super tired, and I REALLY struggle to get up in the morning. I also feel like I'm trapped in a cycle - if I come off it, my moods are awful."

• Ter...
• March 31, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've been on Celexa for about 18 months to help ease overall anxiety. I take 30 mg daily, and about 10 months ago, I was put on Seroquel. Also, I take 25 mg morning and night. I find that if I stay active and eat healthy, I feel fine, no anxiety, I can handle everything much better. However, some days, 50 mg daily isn't enough, and I take an extra 25 mg as needed at night. The only side effects I've noticed are insatiable hunger and craving for sweets. I've also gained about 9 kilos in the 10 months. Apart from that, I find Seroquel to be very helpful at treating the racing thoughts and shortness of breath."

• Anonymous
• October 25, 2009

Quetiapine 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."

• Anonymous
• November 27, 2010

Quetiapine for Insomnia "I have had insomnia since I recovered from an Adderall addiction, then used alcohol to self-medicate. Not sleeping makes me frantic. My psychiatrist prescribed Seroquel 150 mg, which I have been using for 3 years, and it works perfectly. Takes effect in less than an hour, during which I read quietly in bed, and I have no issues in the morning, nor have I experienced any hunger. Like others have said, without it I do not sleep, so I have to make sure it is always available. I have had no need or desire to increase the dose."

• B30...
• May 13, 2017

Quetiapine 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

Quetiapine 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

Quetiapine 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."

• K19...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2018

Quetiapine for Schizoaffective Disorder "I was on a number of medications. For hallucinations (both tactile and visual, as well as auditory), I’m dealing with more of the schizophrenia part. I’ve been diagnosed for a year now. I’ve been on Abilify, Risperdal, Zyprexa. And nothing until Seroquel. I am completely calmed down and feel much better. Really sleepy and very hungry. Restless legs and arms, but all around a good medication."

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

Quetiapine 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."

• Huc...
• October 14, 2018

For Depression "I take 25 mg at night before going to bed, then I get really hungry, so I hit the fridge right around midnight for leftover goodies or a quick ham sandwich. It does make me sleepy but does not help me sleep, especially when I'm craving that ham sandwich. And forget taking this during the day. It can make you really sleepy. Lately, I've been having bouts of inexplicable melancholia, and I am beginning to think it's the quetiapine. Aside from the appetite (which I have problems with), I do not think it is a good sleeping med. Nor does it help my depression. I guess everyone who takes it experiences different things. Bottom line, if you have no issues with it, just take it as prescribed."

• Bri...
• August 15, 2016

Quetiapine 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."

• woo...
• August 11, 2008

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "In the hospital, I received treatment for a significant manic episode with psychosis. I was on Geodon, but it had stopped working, so I switched to Seroquel. At low doses, it was ineffective, however, now I'm taking 600 mg at night, and it has worked well. At this dose, after a couple of days, I felt like myself again. I've noticed some drowsiness, but in my experience with antipsychotics, it will fade as I become acclimated to it. However, I am extremely hungry all of the time. Hopefully, this will go away."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2018

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I love it for sleep. Honestly, I was on Ambien, and I took way too many, and it wasn't safe. I honestly thought nothing could work like it, but Seroquel was a lifesaver. I sleep like a rock. It does make me hungry, though."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 2, 2022

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Worst medication I have ever been on. If you want to test how a lobotomy feels, try Seroquel. When I first started on a lower dose for sleeping, which was fine. I didn’t find it very helpful but it did help increase my appetite as I was underweight. If you are on 25 mg for anxiety/depression/insomnia, do not let your doctor increase this dosage. Every time my psychiatrist saw me, he increased my dosage more and more. After about two years of having my dosage increased every month or two, I began having serious side effects. I felt like a zombie, caused a lot of relationship issues as I wasn’t able to hold a conversation. It’s like I lost all my opinions and could no longer think for myself. Lost all creativity, which worsened my depression as I am a designer. I eventually was taken off it when I was taken to the hospital for losing control over my body. I lost all bladder control and would wet my pants frequently. Developed tardive dyskinesia. In the end, I was on 300 mg."

• Anonymous
• September 18, 2011

Quetiapine 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
• November 25, 2011

Quetiapine for Insomnia "Taking 25 mg. Works fantastically! Takes about an hour on 25 mg (used to take 50 mg, and it put me out in 30 mins, however, I was required at least 8 hours of sleep. Many times my alarm wouldn't even wake me up on 50 mg). However, like just about everyone else said, if I don't take it, I will NOT sleep. Also experienced weight gain (25 lbs in 2 months), so I am going to see if another sleep medication will work the same with fewer side effects. Does make me quite hungry about 30 mins after taking it, and I can't sleep on an empty stomach."

• Anonymous
• March 29, 2011

Quetiapine for Depression "I am 49 and have Bipolar II. Been on Seroquel 400 mg for one year. Initially very drowsy, restless legs, dry mouth, and blocked nose, most side effects lifted after 3 months. This medicine controlled my racing thoughts, helped me concentrate (I thought I had ADD). Ironically, despite the drowsiness, it lifted my extreme exhaustion (I used to have weekly Vitamin B injections because I was so tired). I no longer feel drowsy, managed not to gain weight with the help of a dietitian and an exercise program. I do get very hungry but refuse to give in to the hunger. I also take Wellbutrin and Zoloft to help with the depression, tearfulness, and agitation. I would recommend Seroquel to bipolar patients."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2011

Quetiapine for Depression "Have been on Seroquel for 4 weeks for depression. I take it before bed. Still experiencing a 'hangover' type feeling in the mornings. I gained 8 pounds in the first 3 weeks I took it. Makes me want to eat even when I am not hungry. However, I am not crying as much, can handle day-to-day life better, and I haven't had chest pain or racing heartbeats since I started, which is a great improvement."

• Byr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 7, 2014

For Depression "I have taken a simple antidepressant such as Effexor for years. I never felt they fully did the job. When talking to my doctor one day, I told her my sleep patterns were horrible, with insomnia or waking early. She suggested Seroquel as an additive. I have been on it for about a year, and I have never felt so rested. I have better focus. I even think it has really helped my depression a bit. Yes, it does increase my appetite a bit, but I try to eat healthy foods and walk. You must take it a full 8 hours before you want to wake, or you may be groggy. I am really satisfied."