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

• Tka...
• April 9, 2019

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Due to weight gain, I tried other medications to help control manic thoughts at night and help me sleep. Nothing works. What I decided to do was actually up my dose with my doctor so that the effects of sleepiness would kick in before the hunger. I take 200 mg Seroquel at night with a combination of 300 mg Wellbutrin XR for depression and 150 mg Lamictal for mood stabilization during the day. I take 15 mg of BuSpar twice a day for anxiety. I got off all of these when I was pregnant and was a complete basket case. This drug cocktail worked for 10 years and I spiraled when I went off of it. Since I’ve been back on my meds for four months, I’m completely normal again, functioning at a high level. I run a very successful business, and I know that I could not do it without these medications. I have virtually no side effects except for if I stay awake for too long after taking the Seroquel, I will get uncontrollable hunger. Seroquel does cause dry mouth in the middle of the night, but it’s worth it."

• Pai...
• November 15, 2013

For Depression "This is the best medicine I've come across. I was diagnosed with depression at 14, and I'm now 17. I had previously been on Pristiq, Prozac, and Valium. I was put on 200 mg of Seroquel during an inpatient stay at a psychiatric clinic. It's true, there are ridiculous amounts of side effects. For me, I had the hungover feeling, weight gain, a zombie feeling during the day, lack of focus, and a lot of aggression. However, I don't have these side effects anymore through therapy and doing the opposite of a symptom, for example, no weight gain by exercising. I still sleep like a baby, my moods are pretty level, and I feel HAPPY. All I can say is you cannot expect a medicine like this to work overnight and without yourself putting in effort!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 14, 2025

Quetiapine "So I take 400 mg daily of Quetiapine XR. I take it for Borderline Personality Disorder and ASD. I’ve been taking it just over 10 years now. I take my dose at night around 8 pm. I sleep very well. My mental health is so good on this drug. Yes, you get daytime drowsiness and weight gain, but I can live with that. Would recommend."

• Anonymous
• September 24, 2010

Quetiapine for Schizophrenia "Seroquel was a Godsend for me. I've been on it for 7 years, and it's the best medication I've been on for hallucinations and the voices I heard on a daily basis. It does, however, make me extremely tired, so I take it half an hour before I go to bed. I did get a little weight gain, but I would rather have weight gain than hearing voices and seeing things any day. Amazing medication."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2019

For Insomnia "I was put on quetiapine 50 mg to help in my detox from Xanax, which I gained dependence on to fall asleep every night. Quetiapine 50 mg didn't seem to work that well, so we upped the dose to 100 mg, then 150 mg. Currently, I'm sitting at 100 mg at night before bed. I wish the ravenous eating side effect was touched on more often because it's affecting me badly. This pill will kick relatively quick, and you'll know because you'll want to eat everything. I didn't see that pattern right away, but I found myself snacking right before falling asleep and immediately eating breakfast when waking up. Weight gain is a huge side effect. Also, worth the mention is the groggy feeling and cotton mouth you'll have when you wake up."

• Tlg...
• March 28, 2015

Quetiapine 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 30, 2020

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "After 39 years of severe PTSD, Seroquel along with specialized inpatient and outpatient therapy has turned my life around. I function 75% better now for the last 39 years. I have been on 200-400 mg Seroquel at night with 25-50 mg per day if needed for severe anxiety/panic attacks, for 17 years. I have developed type 2 diabetes and have gained weight, but this is nothing compared to what I went through in childhood into my late years. Seroquel helped my capacity to learn recovery tools. In the past 2 years, I’ve reduced Seroquel from 550-700 mg at night to 400 mg and daily 50-100 mg to 25-50 mg once a week. I am so relieved to have been given a second chance at life, along with 12-step recovery and private therapy."

• ALa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 25, 2019

For Insomnia "If you need sleep, this medication works wonders, but there is a huge downside. I have been taking it for 2 years and have gained 20 lbs. A few minutes after I take it, I get an uncontrollable hunger and have to eat quite a bit to calm it. It makes me sleep like a baby, but I am done with this overeating business. I weaned myself off, and that insane hunger was gone up until tonight when I wanted to actually sleep, so I took 50 mg (normally 200), and I ate so much! If you can overcome the urge to eat after taking it, it could be a wonderful solution to your sleep problems."

• Ott...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 17, 2020

Quetiapine for Schizophrenia "I've had a lot of side effects caused by this drug. I never knew it was caused by this drug. I had high blood pressure, terrible gas that lasted for days, muscle cramps, seizures. I gained 60 lbs or more. Imbalance drug for 5 years or more. I would not recommend it for anybody."

• Koo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 20, 2013

Quetiapine for Depression "I have had bipolar disorder/personality disorder and severe depression for about 30 years and have tried just about every medicine there is. A recent setback had me in the hospital: my doctor decided to put me on Seroquel XR 400 mg along with my other medicines. In the beginning, it seemed to help me, as time went on, my symptoms of low mood, suicidal thoughts, etc. came back. Most important to note was the weight gain. In under a year, I gained almost 50 lbs for no real reason. Extreme fatigue and sleepiness made it hard to get out of bed in the mornings! I am now reducing my dosage to slowly get off it as per my doctor's orders and switching to an alternative. I am hoping this will work."

• Kik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 30, 2020

For Depression "I took 400 mg/night quetiapine and gained 40 lbs. Gained a ton of weight. Withdrawal was awful. By the end of the 1st week, I was hallucinating due to sleep deprivation. I was so sick. Bad doctor didn’t taper me off. Went back to SSRIs, had 2 failed suicide attempts (SSRI resistant), and a new doctor urged me to go back on quetiapine as it was the only thing working for me. I hated the side effects but knew he was right. Gave it another shot with a new doctor at 150 mg/night. He said there ARE WAYS to prevent the negative side effects. The doctor said with a proper taper, severe withdrawal won't happen. Life made a complete 180. I take quetiapine with Topamax and Metformin and got in amazing shape! (5'4 110 lbs compared to 5'4 160 lbs the first time I took it) With a proper doctor, I realized how much it helps me. No negative side effects because we keep my dose as low as possible. There are nights I fall asleep without taking it and sleep fine—if you’re on this medication having a bad experience, you know how rare this is."

• Hap...
• August 7, 2013

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel 100 mg saved my life. For 9 months, I did not sleep because of an anxiety disorder. I tried to kill myself three times. Finally, I was given Seroquel and 130 mg Trazodone. I have been sleeping well and not depressed for ten years. It has saved my life, I am so grateful. I did put on 50 lbs, but better that than being dead. Very grateful."

• Anonymous
• September 30, 2008

Quetiapine for Depression "My 16-year-old daughter has been in and out of the hospital for a year and 8 months with a lot of ups and downs. She was given Seroquel XR, and she is like a new person. She has gained weight from it and wanted to be taken off of it, but as the doctor started taking her off of it, she did not like what was happening to her and said, 'I would rather gain weight and be stable than skinny and angry and sad all the time.'"

• Ban...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 14, 2020

For Insomnia "I'm on 300 mg at night. I've been on this dose for 6 years. I tend to have vivid, colorful dreams and then wake up exhausted. Even after the alarm goes off after 7 to 8 hours of sleep, I have to set the alarm for at least another 2 hours. I find that I'm more sensitive to sunlight and my metabolism has decreased. I find weight gain a problem, and my skin has become inflamed with dermatitis. I also have found that if I miss a tablet, I end up having withdrawals. It does help with sleep but has a few side effects attached to it. I was tried on so many antidepressants, but unfortunately, they had an absolute adverse effect on me, so I couldn't take them, and I'm left with Seroquel."

• Swe...
• March 27, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Seroquel is like the silver bullet. It not only relieved me of my anxiety, it also makes me feel positive, serene, and generally in a good mood! I am on 125 mg at night. I was on 100 mg but went off to try Risperidone (to try to help with the weight gain). Risperidone was not nearly as effective for me as Seroquel, so I went back on, but 100 mg wasn't enough, so I upped it to 125 mg and I am back to feeling great! I have had weight gain, but I feel so much better being on Seroquel. My doctor recommended I cut out carbs and sugar. When I did cut out carbs and sugar, I did lose weight, but it is difficult for me to stick with."

• Jen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 14, 2019

For Insomnia "So I've been an insomniac since grade school and finally got something for it in 2006. 200 mg of quetiapine. Gained weight and ate at night, not remembering that I had done so. Well, now I'm on 400 mg and still some days it doesn't work, I never know. I've read a bunch of these experiences, and no one has said they take over 100 mg. Am I the only one taking this much? And I've tried others (many), and nothing else works. But me taking this much and it not always working is insane!"

• kim...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 18, 2015

For Insomnia "I have suffered with insomnia since I was a child. Cymbalta worsened my condition to the point of lethargy, and my PCP prescribed quetiapine (50 mg 1x the first two days and then 100 mg 1x per day thereafter) after all other sleep aides failed. The first day on 50 mg, it took about 1.5 hours to kick in. I slept for 4 hours, awoke to crazy vivid dreams and insanely sweet food cravings (caramel, maple syrup), went back to bed, fell asleep, and woke up feeling like a truck hit me. Second day, same cravings and vivid dreams but slept better. After about six months, the sweet cravings went away, but I gained 20 lbs. I've been on quetiapine for over a year, and I cannot sleep without it. For the first time in my life, I sleep a solid 7-8 hours per night."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2014

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I've only been on Seroquel for 2 to 3 weeks, but I have had a largely positive experience. I have had a diagnosis of depression for about ten years and was using Cipralex (Lexapro). I came off Cipralex twice, and both times I became very depressed. Even on Cipralex, my mood was constantly changing, so I went to see a psychiatrist who thinks I may have Cyclothymia or bipolar II, so he started me on 50 mg of Seroquel. Initially, I was very groggy but have gotten over that. I've also gained a stone in weight. But my mood has really stabilized for the first time. I feel happy, confident, and passionate. I no longer have a million thoughts in my head, so I can focus better. Hopefully, this continues."

• Anonymous
• September 18, 2016

For Insomnia "I took this back when I was 15, and it was perfect for my terrible anxiety and insomnia. 25 mg knocked me out completely and put me to sleep. I've been on melatonin for the last few years, as quetiapine made me too drowsy the next day. But recently, I have been back on quetiapine, as I have been finding my anxiety keeping me up at night. I've put myself back on a 12.5-25 mg dose, and it's worked wonders. It feels euphoric and puts me to sleep like a charm. Downsides: I've been feeling so out of it during the day, drowsy, harder to wake, plus I've had a few headaches and stomach upsets. Also, I'm scared I'm going to gain weight, as that is commonly reported. As far as doing its job as a sleeping pill, though, it's incredible."

• Kat...
• July 19, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've been using Seroquel 25 mg, 4 times per day as needed since September of 2001, and it is still very effective with both my anxiety and depression. I did gain about 10 pounds using it, but I am still well within my BMI range and am physically active and can control my appetite. This med is possibly the best one that has ever been prescribed to help both my anxiety and long history of depression. My one important concern is that my white blood count is slightly lower than it should be and has been lower for 6 years now. I'm hoping my white blood count does not drop lower and stays where it is."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2020

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel is terrible. I felt completely disassociated. I knew words were coming out of my mouth but sometimes had no clue what I was saying. I was only on it for a few months, but I called my Dr. in a panic when I’d realized the weight I’d gained. I lost 100 lbs in my 20s and have been able to keep it off give or take 10 lbs. I’m now 40 years old, and I instantly put on belly/waist weight, a place where I have NEVER gained before. I know my body well, and this was pretty extreme. I went up a pant size in 2 months. I told my Dr., and he said it makes you crave carbs, but I KNOW it’s more than that. What type of meds makes you gain weight in a specific area? After losing the 10-15 lbs, I am stuck with saggy skin after 3 months! It’s not worth it. It created a whole new set of permanent problems like saggy skin and my confidence with undressing around my husband. Horrible!"

• Gcc...
• May 22, 2020

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I've been on quetiapine for 3 years. I have borderline personality disorder, and I don't think they work for me. I take 400 mg at night, other than making me tired all the time, with no energy and weight gain, I wouldn't recommend them. They come with many common side effects, and prior to taking them, I actually think I was better off. They are very addictive too, I've forgotten to take them on an odd occasion, and the withdrawal process feels like I'm dying."

• Bab...
• October 13, 2009

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I am 53 years old and was put on this drug just over a year ago. I was diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder 13 years ago. I knew something was wrong with me when I was 17, but bipolar was not really known back then. This drug is by far the best thing I have ever taken. Don't worry about the weight gain, after a year, it will go away. It is a small price to pay for sanity. Everyone will get the munchies from this. I eat grapes at night, they do the trick. Have some in a bowl by your bedside, this will help keep the weight gain down. Stay away from ice cream and eat yogurt with preserves in it, or just fruit when you get the munchies 1 hour after taking it. I also take temazepam at night, 100mg."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2016

Quetiapine for Schizoaffective Disorder "This drug worked perfectly. It controlled all my symptoms, paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, tactile hallucinations, and anxiety. Absolutely no weight gain. I lost 30 pounds on this medication and could not be happier that I tried the drug. It also works excellently for people with eating disorders, controlling their cravings and regulating their eating patterns. There were no sexual side effects. I never relapsed when I went off the medication with the help of my psychiatrist. Thank you, makers of Seroquel!"

• dre...
• May 5, 2014

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I found Seroquel (quetiapine) to be the best medicine for me, it really helped my thoughts slow down and allowed me to regain control of my thoughts/emotions. It also helped with my insomnia, which was an added benefit. I also take an antidepressant, and it seems to work well with it, as I used to get bad headaches from the antidepressant alone, but since adding Seroquel to it, I no longer get these headaches. I guess if I had to say one negative thing about it, it does seem to increase my appetite/possible weight gain, but I feel the benefits outweigh the negative, as the increased appetite/mild weight gain can be controlled by eating healthy and exercising. Overall, a great medication for me."