Quetiapine and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Mac...
• April 23, 2013

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I suffer from O.C.D. and obsessive compulsive personality disorder. I have had it since age 12. I'm now in my 40s. For the last three years, I've been on a high dose of quetiapine, 600 mg nightly. I also take Lustral during the day. They have helped me so much, it's the first time in years I've felt more 'normal.' Before, I was very manic, etc. This has calmed me down a great deal. BUT, I'm always tired, not much energy, my weight has gone up. I used to exercise before but struggle now. BUT I'd rather be like this than manic, panicking, and a nightmare to live with! I'm married with four children. It's a shame they have seen me at my worst many times, which I feel terrible about. But now that I'm on these medicines, I'm a different person."

• Blu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2012

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel makes me feel like I'm on a level playing field again. I don't feel like my thinking's distorted, and I don't cry uncontrollably like I have all of my life. I have gained weight, but I'm fixing to start taking Topamax to counteract that. If the Topamax doesn't work, I will still continue to take Seroquel. I rather gain weight and be able to cope with life 100% better than I did before."

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

Quetiapine 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."

• res...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2019

For Insomnia "I have been on Seroquel for 6 months. I told my doctor I do not want anything that will make me gain weight, and this has-I'm miserable. He gave this to me to sleep, and it does knock me out but only for 4 hours until my mind is awake. This is not worth the weight gain and stomach issues I've been having, along with dry mouth. I couldn't understand how I could be gaining weight without eating, and my doctor said that I couldn't. But research I did says yes, medications will make you gain weight even if you are not consuming calories. I'm weaning myself off as of today. I've had it with all these meds. They keep switching, and nothing changes. I will report back on my withdrawals, if any. I do not believe this medicine is worth the side effects."

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

Quetiapine 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."

• RG3...
• March 22, 2017

Quetiapine for Schizophrenia "The drug made me gain weight and become depressed, which I was never before using the drug. I now have an addiction that I can't beat. I would probably sue them for not warning me about the drug's addictive properties. I think this drug may help some people. However, people have a right to be informed about what they are getting into."

• Mik...
• October 15, 2015

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel is great. Been taking it for seven years. I take 200 mg at night for bipolar. It does take time to get used to it. It does cause me to get hungry 30 minutes after taking it. Just eat a healthy snack. At first, I did gain a couple of pounds. Searching online did not help. Everyone complains about how much you need to eat. It's self-control. I make sure to exercise every day. And trust me, it's not easy. There are days I have no energy. But I tell myself I have 3 little girls and have to make sure I do not get fat and unhealthy. I have bad mood swings without it. It caused me to make it miserable for my wife, kids, and coworkers. Driving was a mission every day."

• o_o...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2024

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I wanted to share my experience with this med because it has given me hope that recovery is possible. Before Seroquel, I was in and out of inpatient every 6 months for over 3 years, crippling SH problems, ED issues, MDD, severe verbal anger outbursts, and had max dosed a few different antidepressants and antipsychotics that never really did anything for me mentally (except causing weight gain, which contributed to my ED heavily). At my last inpatient stay, I was prescribed 200 mg Seroquel ER along with Prozac 40 mg after maxing out my Abilify (30 mg) and my Lexapro (20 mg) during the same stay. And within the following weeks (accompanied by group and individual therapy), I had made a visible change. Now, 5 months later, it feels like I have a lot of myself again, and I’m not cured, if that’s ever possible, but I don’t hate being alive. I don’t wake up wishing I hadn’t. It has only been a short amount of time, but it’s been helpful."

• bpd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2014

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I'm currently on a dosage of 50 mg in the morning, 50 mg in the afternoon, and 100 mg at night. I requested my psych add this to my current medication, which is Wellbutrin XL (300 mg). The results have been strikingly positive. I personally have not experienced any significant side effects from either, besides some minor weight gain. This combination is the first to make me feel hopeful, bring me out of a resistant depression, and help with anxiety. Mood swings seem to be minimized compared to before this. They still happen, but in a less extreme nature. I'm able to feel comfortable on my own, instead of going to a bar for company. I have yet to have the classic meltdown...I've experienced mental clarity that's been absent for years."

• xrx...
• December 29, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I’ve been diagnosed with insomnia and anxiety. I’m not sure how I got on quetiapine since I’ve been on it for 5 or so years. I was hoping weight gain would be a side effect I had since I'm underweight, but no such luck. I don’t really have any side effects from it. I take 25 mg before bed. My anxiety has improved tremendously over the last 5 years. It doesn’t make me so sleepy that I have to go to sleep. It doesn’t take me hours to fall asleep anymore, and I no longer wake up after sleeping for an hour or two like I did before. The only downside I’d say is if I don’t sleep more than 4-6 hours, I do NOT want to get up. That’s pretty easily manageable for me, I just take it and go to bed/play on my phone for about an hour before I want/need to go to sleep. It takes about 30-45 minutes to kick in, so I’m usually sleeping by the time I need to go to sleep."

• Nou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2019

For Depression "I'm on quetiapine at a dose of 25 mg only. I was extremely depressed. My depression is lifting, I can sleep and participate in activities again. The only drawback is weight gain, about 5 lbs in 2 weeks. Major hunger pangs."

• Ban...
• January 18, 2012

Quetiapine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "SEVERE WEIGHT GAIN and METABOLIC SYNDROME! I had always suffered from anxiety from childhood to adulthood. My doctor prescribed a low dosage of 150 MG in December 2010. At the time I was prescribed Seroquel XR 150 MG, I weighed 96 lbs, petite frame, size 0 or 2. On January 11, 2012, I weighed in at 136 lbs. The 40 lbs of weight gain within one year went to my abdomen, and I am covered in cellulite on my abs, hips, back, buttocks, and thighs. I monitored my diet and intake the entire time, but the weight gain was out of control."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 5, 2016

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel has been very helpful with sleep, and I also noticed some mood stabilization in combination with Lamictal and sometimes Klonopin. Sometimes it is overly sedating, but taking it a couple of hours before normally going to sleep is important for me so that I don't feel drowsy the next day. I did not notice any weight gain on it. My doctor started me on 50 mg, which was good for sedation, but no major difference in mood. 100 mg does make a difference in lowering my anxiety and some mood stabilization with my other medications, but sometimes she recommends me to take 200 mg to reduce mania from flaring up when it starts. Overall, this med has been useful for Bipolar 1 for me."

• the...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 8, 2017

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I've been on this for about 8 months so far. I take 300 mg at bedtime. It helps with sleep, but I do feel a bit tired during the day. This has really reduced my mania. I used to argue with people until I was literally foaming at the mouth, but now I lose interest in arguments within 5 or 10 minutes. Twitter and news used to upset me, and I'd get amped up about stories, but that's gone away mostly. Now I can react to things that used to make me furious with a laugh or just a short discussion with someone. Seroquel's not perfect, but the weirdness and intensity I used to experience have gone. It also helps greatly with my IBS. I haven't had any weight gain, but my diet is low-fat and limited. Seroquel is much better than TCAs, by the way. Good luck!"

• 0rd...
• September 24, 2014

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel helped my paranoia and really kept me mentally stable, but I also was tired all the time, sometimes sleeping for 15 hours a day. I also gained 30 pounds within three months of being on Seroquel. I wouldn't recommend this medicine for anyone who does not wish to rapidly gain weight."

• Hop...
• August 6, 2013

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I have tried just about every medicine there is to treat bipolar disorder, and Seroquel, hands down, is the best one for me in terms of stability. However, the weight gain has been a problem. I gained 40 pounds on Seroquel. The good news is I've lost 16 pounds of that in 3 1/2 months. It's been hard work, but I am confident I can meet my goal of losing 48 more pounds over the next year."

• dev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2019

For Depression "I went on Seroquel for psychotic depression. I also suffer from ADHD, and I'm on stimulants. I've been on it for a few months now, and I've just started school, and the brain fog has really been screwing me over academically. Other than that, it's helpful, but far too sedating. I've done horribly in all my assessments despite studying because it's like my brain isn't working. My teachers are all concerned about my performance. I take a dose of 300 mg. I haven't had much weight gain, but I feel really stiff all the time. I've constantly been late to school and passing out because of this med, so I can't even show up to school. It works pretty well, but it's way too sedating and neutralizes all my thoughts. Switching from XR to IR somewhat helped, but I'm still having a ton of issues."

• Nat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 8, 2013

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar II about 5 years ago, and I've tried everything on the market. Nothing worked for me except Seroquel. Right now, I take 300 mg twice per day, and I'm so stable. I'm loving it. The problem, though, with Seroquel is that it's a major weight gainer. I would stop taking it on and off when I felt better, but then would use other meds to bandage my symptoms... get back on, then off again... until one day I decided to stop with the denial and allow someone to help me for real. I've been on it now faithfully for 9 months... but I've put on 60 lbs! It makes me eat after hours in the middle of the night. I'm depressed because of the weight gain. So I work out at home at times, trying to be more consistent. You have to work this medicine."

• Sle...
• March 14, 2016

For Insomnia "This medication works great for those with chronic insomnia. My only complaint is weight gain, which for me was not an option since I work hard at watching my weight. I was taking 50 mg and had nightmares with talking in my sleep. I since stopped taking it nightly and only use it after I can't sleep for a few days. However, almost each time I take it, I have the verbal nightmares. Keep in mind these are my side effects and may not happen to you. As far as a sleep aid, it works great."

• San...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 17, 2022

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I’m 61 and was diagnosed bipolar NOS, meaning I don’t fit into any category, but I have elements of bipolar. I used to be very impulsive and have made some bad decisions. I was high energy, but I also had a lot of depression. I had bad reactions to antidepressants. I would get very irritable. I've been on a low dose of lithium and 25 mg of Seroquel for several years. The Seroquel makes me a little groggy in the morning, but it has really helped with irritability. I’ve gained some weight because I’m not as hyper as I used to be. Hope this helps. I’m not ashamed to admit I need meds. Some people resist when they should be on them."

• Sho...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 21, 2019

For Depression "On quetiapine for depression, and I slept all night, but stayed in bed all day, depressed. My life fell apart. I gained 60 lbs., my health deteriorated, I became hopeless, stopped eating well or taking care of my family, and neglected responsibilities. I'm on Topamax now, and I am so much better!"

• ken...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2019

For Insomnia "I've had severe insomnia for dozens of years and have tried everything, including CBT-Insomnia treatment, good sleep hygiene, and a stack of meds (about 20 over time, including insomnia and off-label uses). The Seroquel has been a lifesaver (I am 71 and have a number of medical issues, not depression or psychosis). In the three months I have taken it, I have slept throughout the night (except to get up to pee a few times a night) EVERY night. I'm taking 100 mg at bedtime and sometimes have to take a 25 mg dose if I wake up and can't fall asleep in 20 minutes. No more brain fog, and I have gained one or two pounds, but I think that may be more from alcohol consumption."

• fre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 27, 2013

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Took for bipolar disorder (for the depression). In small doses, this caused me to be too sleepy to function. When I took a large dose at night, however, it knocked me out, and I was good the next day. This really did help with the depression and mood swings. However, it caused significant weight gain. I had to stop taking this when a job had ended and I no longer had insurance. I fought insomnia for around 6 months, but after that time, was finally able to sleep again, and the weight came out. I would recommend this for someone who really needs it, but not until other medicines have been tried first with no success."

• lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2012

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I've been in and out of mental health clinics for a long time, just trying to find something to slow my racing thoughts and make me feel like life is bearable. I've taken benzodiazepines, only to become drug-seeking and take too many and need early refills, thereby being forced by the prescriber to wean off. Done SSRIs with no effect whatsoever. Remeron made me gain 40 pounds in like 2 months' time and didn't help me sleep. Marijuana made me paranoid. I just started some new therapy and was diagnosed with bipolar II and post-traumatic stress disorder. She gave me Seroquel XR, and my mind is calm and I sleep well on it. I'm still on a pretty low dose, going up to 100 mg tonight and then 150 mg in 2 days. Just hope I don't gain weight, but so far I feel productive and my mind is quiet."

• Ind...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 25, 2013

Quetiapine for Depression "I have been on 400 mg of Seroquel XR along with my antidepressant for more than 1 year. Initially, the medicine worked great for my stress, delusions, and helped me sleep well at night. Lately, the anxiety has returned, and I have severe anxiety during the daytime. At night, I pass out, so I don't feel much. However, this medicine has caused me to gain a lot of weight. I would say I have gained about 25 pounds since starting the medicine."