Rexulti and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• sbo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2020

For Depression "I have been taking 2 mg Rexulti for 3 weeks now. My major depression has improved greatly. I now clean house, tend to my hygiene more, put on makeup, etc. I am interested in things again. Gained 4 lbs. but not sure it is because of the drug. My weight fluctuates anyway. I will give this a 10. It worked within 2 days."

• Anonymous
• May 16, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "Rexulti was very effective in helping pull me out of the dark hole that I was in. However, the weight gain has been detrimental to my self-esteem and caused me extreme frustration. For that reason, and because I feel like this medication has made me very fatigued, I’m coming off it. I have a huge, fat, bloated, flabby stomach now, and no matter how strictly I diet, I cannot budge any of the weight. I have never experienced weight gain from a medication like this. To be clear, I’m being completely honest about my diet. I’m not overeating, I maintain a low-carb, high-protein diet around 1500 calories a day, and I weigh 200 lbs! I was in extremely good shape before, and now I’m just a fat, swollen blob. I get puffiness in my face, and I feel unrecognizable. There is definitely some kind of fat storing and retention of water caused by this drug. I think this is a horrible medication because of this awful side effect. Anyone going through depression certainly doesn’t need to be excessively fat."

• Nob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 19, 2020

For Depression "I'm taking Rexulti for maybe half a year now. Really helps me being less anxious, paranoid, depressed, and my psychotic symptoms are gone! And I don't have any side effects! No weight gain or restless legs like I used to have on other medications. For me, it really does help a lot."

• Mis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 19, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've tried so many meds and combinations over the last 30 years for MDD, Anxiety, and Agoraphobia. I also tried ECT. I never felt better than the combination of Wellbutrin, Pristiq, and Rexulti. Even managed to stop using Xanax and stop drinking without trying. A few months ago, I quit the Rexulti because my new insurance didn't cover much. I went spiraling downhill fast! I said screw it, it's worth the money to feel normal. I'm back on it and I've never been happier. A slight weight gain in the beginning, but that went away and I lost the extra pounds."

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2019

For Depression "This medicine is hard to rate. While taking it, I had never felt better. Seriously, my depression was gone, I felt like getting out again. I felt like I had my life back, BUT I began having cravings like I had never had before. I was eating uncontrollably. I was getting up in the middle of the night to eat. I have never had this behavior before and I'm in my 40s. In the past, if I began gaining weight, I immediately talked to the doctor and had my medication switched. However, this time, I was conflicted. The way I felt taking Rexulti felt like a miracle and I hated the idea of quitting, until... I gained 70 lbs! I even gained 20 lbs in 3 days. I finally felt I had no choice but to stop Rexulti. I've been miserable for almost two years now. I've recently lost 23 lbs, but it has been so difficult. If I could go back, I would have switched after the first 10 lbs! Sometimes, it feels like a no-win situation. I'm committed to losing weight. I've got to do this!"

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2019

For Depression "This medicine is hard to rate. While taking it, I had never felt better. Seriously, my depression was gone, I felt like getting out again. I felt like I had my life back, BUT I began having cravings like I had never had before. I was eating uncontrollably. I was getting up in the middle of the night to eat. I have never had this behavior before and I'm in my 40s. In the past, if I began gaining weight, I immediately talked to the doctor and had my medication switched. However, this time, I was conflicted. The way I felt taking Rexulti felt like a miracle and I hated the idea of quitting, until... I gained 70 lbs! I even gained 20 lbs in 3 days. I finally felt I had no choice but to stop Rexulti. I've been miserable for almost two years now. I've recently lost 23 lbs, but it has been so difficult. If I could go back, I would have switched after the first 10 lbs! Sometimes, it feels like a no-win situation. I'm committed to losing weight. I've got to do this!"

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 11, 2018

For Depression "I've been on Rexulti for about 5 months now. I told myself I would write a review because I know there are people out there looking for hope and good reviews. This drug definitely took me out of a dark hole. It took 3 days for it to work. I remember waking up feeling normal again. I take it as an add-on to my antidepressant Mirtazapine. I gained weight at the beginning but I was able to shed it off shortly after. I have some extrapyramidal effects but nothing weird. I just feel a weird twitch in a muscle every now and then. I keep an eye on it though. Other than that, no other bad side effects. I would give it a chance if your antidepressant isn't doing enough. I take 1mg."

• Mel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 1, 2020

For Depression "Rexulti has been a MIRACLE for my anxiety/depression. I’ve tried pretty much every antidepressant on the market and had awful side effects with every one. I take Lamictal for depression and adding this on top of it, it absolutely changed my life for the better. I have no side effects other than gaining a couple pounds, which I needed."

• rex...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 17, 2025

For Schizophrenia "I was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2003. In 2023, my doctor said that I needed to do a genetic test to see which medicine would benefit me the most since I have taken so many since 1995. My genetic test revealed that Rexulti was a good drug for me to take. My doctor put me on the 3 mg once a day, and it took a little while for it to work. Gradually, I saw that the medicine was helping me a lot with my symptoms. I discovered that the 3 mg helped me more than the 4 mg. I haven't had any major weight gain since I've been on Rexulti. My moods are stable, and the voices are more controlled. It's definitely been a blessing in my life."

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

For Major Depressive Disorder "Update from my last post on July 5, 2018. Things are still going well but I have now gained 30 pounds within the past year of being on Rexulti. It has almost spiraled me back into a depression gaining so much weight, as body image was something that made me anxious and depressed already. Just wanted to give an update because I hadn't seen anyone else mention the weight gain."

• Byr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2024

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on almost every antidepressant over thirty years. I decided they never worked for me and went drug-free for a few months. I relapsed and was admitted into the hospital for major depression. The doctor put me on Rexulti 0.5, and I take 50 mg of Seroquel for sleep. Within weeks, I felt 75 percent better. I now am starting 1 mg of Rexulti and hope to feel even better. I am sleeping well and have had no weight gain."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 25, 2020

For Depression "I’m back! I posted nearly 2 years ago on July 5, 2018, when I had been on Rexulti for a month. This drug helped me a lot the first few months, and then things just started going downhill. I gained 40 pounds in a matter of about 9 months, and I’m finally at a place now where my psychiatrist and I agree that I don’t need this medication anymore. The weight gain has just been really detrimental to my mental health because body image and eating disorders were part of my triggers. I hope that this medication can help other people and they don’t have to suffer with it fizzling out and causing unprecedented weight gain like it did for me."

• Aga...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2020

For Depression "This medication saved my life. My anxiety was so bad I couldn't take an effective dose of SSRI. Rexulti calmed my anxiety enough that I was able to start upping my SSRI, and my depression is getting better and better every day. My anxiety is almost nonexistent! I have gained a few pounds, but nothing significant, and I would rather gain 10 pounds and be happy than be miserable."

• Aja...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I'm only on day 5 of 0.5 mg, and I feel a significant difference. I had overwhelmed myself with responsibilities and crashed and burned, then I had bottomed out completely when another major event happened. I do not want to be on antidepressants again after 15 years of them and 2 1/2 years off, but they are working. My anxiety was out of control, and I was seriously sick because of coronavirus isolation and my stress. I hope it continues to work at a low dose. I hope I don't gain huge amounts of weight. I do have a prescription that will slightly counteract the weight gain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2020

For Depression "I started on Rexulti at the low dose of 0.5 mg. It was really helping with my breakthrough depression. I have been taking Wellbutrin for about 2 years, and I needed a little boost. Well, 2 months later, and I gained 10 pounds. Super disappointed. The medication works, but be ready to be depressed about how much weight you've gained from it. Won't recommend."

• lri...
• March 6, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I took Rexulti for 5 months. I gained 20 lbs even doing Weight Watchers. I stopped taking it because it was not working anyway. I hate antipsychotic drugs. I have struggled with my weight for years, and they do nothing but add to the problem. I would rather learn to deal with my depression than take any more drugs at this point in my life. I just want to know how you're supposed to feel good while gaining weight. I don't understand that concept at all. For people who need these types of medications, that's fine. But after trying this drug and struggling with my weight, I am totally finished with all antipsychotic medications, but this is just me. I would not recommend this to anyone who has weight issues whether you feel good or not."

• lri...
• August 9, 2019

For Depression "This is my 3rd time trying Rexulti. Honestly, the first 2 times I took this medication, my other psychiatrist only gave me 2 mg. It did not work for me. But, I switched psychiatrist, and they gave me 4 mg for my depression. What a major difference. I am on Weight Watchers Freestyle, and I actually lost 3 lbs on this medication while doing this program. Yes, it can cause weight gain. But, as soon as I started taking this medication, I immediately went on Weight Watchers Freestyle. The only thing is my sugar was high when I got blood work. You really need to watch your sugar when on this medication and eat a healthy diet. People say this medication causes weight gain, so you have to be really careful and watch what you eat."

• Baz...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 29, 2025

For Major Depressive Disorder "This drug is good for me. I usually have a bad mood and lack of motivation. But I finally got the right dosage for my MDD. My psychiatrist adjunct brexpiprazole (Rexulti) 2 mg and escitalopram 20 mg, adding methylphenidate 5 mg for motivation in the morning. In the night, I take 50 mg quetiapine to have better sleep. It works well to give me a good stable mood, enough for me to do daily routine activities. But the side effect is my weight is increased. I have been in this condition for 15 years. My first psychiatrist diagnosed me with schizoaffective because of my mood disorder. The second psychiatrist diagnosed me with bipolar. And the latest psychiatrist diagnosed me with MDD."

• LFR...
• September 25, 2018

For Depression "I have had depression for years. I have ADHD also. I take Wellbutrin, Adderall, and Trazodone for it all. I have been on Rexulti for 3 weeks now. I have not gained any weight. I have lost 10 lbs so far with WW on it. I am a full-time college student. Rexulti has helped me more with my ADHD symptoms. It has helped with my concentration also. I am glad they finally have come out with something that I am able to actually lose weight on."

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 2, 2019

For Depression "Rexulti works if you are in a rough spot, but I have gained 80 lbs using this. My brain works, but the weight gain is not healthy for me. My doctor and I have agreed to discontinue this medication and are looking into alternatives. I lost 15 pounds the first week I lowered my dosage in half. I will continue to reduce the dosage until it is out of my system. Anyone that uses this, I would recommend keeping tabs and seeing what effect it has on your body during the first few months."

• Rho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on Rexulti for 1 month now. It is totally amazing for treatment-resistant depression, I haven't felt this good in about 20 years, but I am having massive weight gain issues. Can anyone tell me how to get the weight off, as not eating or exercise is not helping? Would appreciate some advice. Thank you."

• Riv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2020

For Depression "I have been on Rexulti 4 mg with Wellbutrin XL 300 mg, Zoloft 200 mg, and Adderall 90 mg a day. Rexulti is for my depression. Yes, I have gained some weight, but I feel better on 4 mg of Rexulti. I need to figure out how to lose weight with this drug. But I also have other thyroid issues that mess with my weight constantly. I would rather be happy and gain a little weight than be miserable. I have come to the conclusion that the medications are what you make it. I feel lots of relief from my depression. For years, I felt like, even with 2 antidepressants, I need something to stabilize me more. This Rexulti is the only medication that doesn't change my personality or change who I am as a person."

• Rex...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 4, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have MDD/GAD/ADD. Started Rexulti as an add-on to Zoloft. At first, it was great - I was seeing improvements to my mood within days. But it eventually kind of fizzled out. Also, it made me gain 40 lbs in the 9 months since I started taking it. I started tapering off of it, and this is where the real fun part begins. I rarely have issues stopping psych meds, and I’ve never experienced side effects as long as I’ve tapered my dose, at least not until Rexulti. It has been hell to come off of this med. I have never been so depressed in my life. It’s like I’m an empty husk. No feeling or emotion. My thinking has become remarkably slow, and my speech gives it away (it takes me forever to get through a sentence). Fortunately, this is temporary, but that doesn’t make it any less soul-crushing to experience. And it flares up even worse than before with every drop in dosage."

• dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2022

For Depression "Effective as anything, but at great cost. It quickly quieted my intrusive thoughts and gave me a boost of energy. But only 4 months later, I've gained 35 lbs on only 1 mg of Rexulti. My BMI is over 25. My doctor says the sugar cravings and impulsive shopping are a good sign because it's dopamine-seeking activity. My mental health is better than it has been in years, and I'm going to be stopping this medication because of its detrimental effects on my weight, blood sugar, cholesterol, and self-esteem. I don't even recognize my own body anymore. Not how it looks and not how it feels to move around in it. I almost wish I'd never experienced this because it feels like a tragedy to find something that works so well and not be able to keep taking it. It's, quite ironically, super depressing."

• Bec...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 21, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I feel good while on Rexulti, but have gained so much weight. I'm going to give it a little more time to see if I can lose weight, if I don't, I'm going to stop taking them. I have never been this size."