Quetiapine and Increased Appetite: What Users Say

• Dad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 17, 2021

For Insomnia "Got prescribed this for sleep after trazodone failed to help. It is VERY powerful at the 25mg dose for me. Please let your psych know if you have frequent or strong side effects to medicine before using. It knocks me out and keeps me asleep, but makes me VERY groggy in the morning, like I am hungover, and makes me hungry while I'm getting drowsy. Be sure to go straight to bed after you take it to combat eating and risks of dizziness."

• kas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 3, 2021

For Insomnia "I used to have really bad insomnia. I don't know the cause, but it made me sleep 7 hours in the span of three days. My mind was like a radio, nonstop playing and talking. When I took Seroquel for my bipolar disorder, I was super drowsy, and I could not wake up during the day. I started with 25 mg, but I noticed that I was getting sleep. Over time, I had to increase my dose to 300 mg to get good sleep. My body always gets used to meds, and I ended up increasing every time. I found that 300 mg was good to give me 8 or 9 hours of sleep at night. If I take it early, I can wake up early and feel well-rested for the next day. I noticed that if I need to wake up sooner, I lower my dose to 200 mg. The only downside to this medication is the weight gain. I would wake up in the middle of the night hungry and thirsty. I spoke with my doctor and tried Trazodone and Temazepam, but none worked better compared to Seroquel. Still a lifesaver."

• Mat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 13, 2020

Seroquel (quetiapine) for Schizoaffective Disorder "Seroquel saved my life. I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at 16 (I'm 18 now) and I've tried almost all second-generation antipsychotics since I was 13. All made me experience horrid side effects (extrapyramidal effects, paranoia, vomiting, emotionally flat). Seroquel, within 2 days of taking it, helped me feel relatively normal...with no akathisia/extrapyramidal effects. I can sleep, I don't feel anywhere as paranoid, the delusions have significantly decreased. The only thing that is a little funky is the hunger, but I can manage that. This drug has helped me live a normal life. I'm at 300mg now, and this is my safe spot. For anyone considering this medication, go for it. It's the only antipsychotic that has not made me crawl out of my skin and 'die' mentally. Genuinely a wonderful drug."

• lee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 5, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "2 years ago I had anxiety so bad that I would go 4-5 days without eating. I had awful intrusive thoughts and was almost in a constant state of panic. I could not sleep and had issues with early awakening. By the end of it, I had suicidal ideations. My doctor first tried Seroquel XR. This did not work for me and had me in a constant state of fog and exhaustion. Then she switched me to Seroquel 200mg at night. After 1 year of being on Seroquel, I sleep well every night. I no longer have issues with generalized anxiety and feel like a completely different person. Nothing bothers me and I am back to being happy-go-lucky. Yes, I have increased appetite but I walk every day and do yoga three times a week, so I have not gained any weight whatsoever."

• JPa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2019

For Insomnia "I’m going to give a short version of my journey the past year. I went into inpatient therapy twice while trying to figure out what was going on with me. During that time, I was put on seroquel to help me sleep. I take 50mg every night. It doesn’t always put me right to sleep, but it helps me find sleep. I haven’t had any trouble with nightmares, and honestly, I’ve had better dreams since taking it. All in all, I personally have had a decent experience. The only downsides I’ve seen are feeling super sleepy when trying to get out of bed and feeling terribly hungry if I don’t go to bed pretty quickly after taking it. If you read all of this, thanks. I hope if you're prescribed it, it helps you."

• Lig...
• January 31, 2018

Seroquel (quetiapine) for Bipolar Disorder "The reason I'm rating this drug 10/10 is that it does not stab you in the back, and it does not ask for increased doses. It works all the time and kicks in fast, making you feel euphoric combined with sleepiness. If you stay awake more than 30 minutes after taking it, you will feel hungry. So, if you are worried about gaining weight, just take it and sleep. Find your correct dose that works well, and remember good sleep equals a good mood. If you feel sleepy the next day, that's okay, drink some coffee + 1 cup of water. And remember to do 20 minutes of exercise every day, just not before going to sleep, and you will feel better 100%."

• Lin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2019

Seroquel (quetiapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I take a low dose of Seroquel, and it is helpful as a sleeping pill. It can get rid of bad thoughts. I've experienced weight loss on it. It helps with increasing my appetite, though. I can still drive well on this drug. Insurance covers this drug."

• lit...
• March 15, 2014

Seroquel (quetiapine) for Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel gave me my life back, calms me down and helps me think clearly during the day, and helps me sleep well during the night. Makes your mouth a bit dry and makes you hungry often but definitely worth it."

• Bne...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 13, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been on this drug twice. The first time I ended up overdosing, but bear in mind, I was doing drugs while my body was still getting used to the medication, and I was young and stupid. Second time round, absolutely no worries. Prescribed 50 mg at night, but I only take 25 mg now, somehow my tolerance decreased, and 50 mg made me a zombie. This drug saved my life. It is the best medicine ever, and this is somebody who reacts badly to medication usually. I have been on it for 18 months continuously now for anxiety, insomnia, and as a mood stabilizer. No side effects except a good night's sleep and hunger (which I need). Good luck with this medicine. I truly owe my life to it."

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

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) 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."

• jul...
• December 11, 2014

For Insomnia "I have extreme social and general, am bipolar, and insomnia so bad I would cry on and off all night, every night. Besides other anxiety meds, I take 50mg to 100mg of Seroquel every night about an hour before bed. It shuts off my racing thoughts, and I actually sleep. This has been my miracle because I was barely functioning, if at all. It does make me hungry, but I find if I eat a little something before I take it, I can control the munchies. This is a little payment for the new life it has brought me."

• MBr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 6, 2015

For Insomnia "This drug was a life-saver. I had severe insomnia, the doctor said it was one of the hardest cases he has ever treated. I tried all the usuals and would get some sleep every couple of days. I started on this medication at 50 mg and moved up gradually to 300 mg. Within a week, I was sleeping wonderfully. It is a deep, deep sleep, and it was hard to rouse at the higher dosage. Very vivid dreams. I did not experience any hunger or weight gain. I moved back gradually to 25 mg and would sometimes only take half of that tablet. I just quit taking Seroquel totally after 8 months."

• Smi...
• August 18, 2008

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) 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."

• nic...
• May 11, 2013

For Insomnia "This does the job for mellowing you out, then out you will be like a light. It makes you very hungry, though, and you may find it tricky at first getting out of bed at high doses. If you need sleep, this is perfect, remember it's not the quantity of the sleep, it's the quality. This for sure gives you the quality."

• Lea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 4, 2019

Seroquel (quetiapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I have been on this medication for years. The only things that aren't fun are the drowsiness and the increased appetite, but this medication's side effects don't affect me nearly as much as other medications I've taken."

• Sar...
• December 29, 2015

For Insomnia "I had insomnia due to severe itchy skin from Hodgkin's disease. All of the prescription sleeping pills I had tried either didn't work or made me feel like a zombie the next day. I was barely managing life when a doctor suggested 25 mg of quetiapine nightly, and it has been life-changing! It takes me about half an hour to fall asleep, and I sleep soundly for 8-9 hours and wake up feeling like I had a good night's sleep. At first, I had very vivid strange dreams, but after a few months, I adjusted. I did feel an increase in appetite and gained about 5 lbs in the first 3 minutes, but then that side effect stopped as well. I have been able to reduce my dose to 6.5 mg (I have to cut the pill into quarters) and sleep just as well on that amount."

• 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."

• Mik...
• October 15, 2015

Seroquel (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."

• 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."

• oct...
• October 3, 2013

Seroquel (quetiapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I have been bipolar for 26 years. After my first and huge depression, I have not missed lithium, not even for a day. I have had a really good acceptance of Seroquel, but not of Seroquel XR. The difference is huge, and XR plays with your sleep patterns and more. The insatiable hunger is so, so true, as is the weight gain. I just eat less and less and less, and as a person who has had an amazing metabolism, I still am 105 lbs. After 3 children, my teen weight, I am now at 115 lbs, and I hate it. But I have no desire to stop Seroquel."

• Que...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 24, 2017

For Depression "I was diagnosed with delusional jealousy in November 2016. I was utterly convinced my wife was cheating on me despite no evidence to support this irrational belief. The lack of evidence just made me even more suspicious. I was out of control. Taking Prozac and Lorazepam to try and control the anxiety was making things worse. A private psychiatrist diagnosed me and prescribed quetiapine 300 mg. The first 2 weeks were a bit groggy, but I kept fit, ate healthily, and went to bed early. The results were astonishing. I was immediately so much calmer and rational. At the very least, this drug saved my marriage and, at best, it has probably saved my life. Yes, I'm hungry all the time and have to be careful with food, but it's a small price to pay."

• Luc...
• March 6, 2017

For Insomnia "Seroquel really helps me with insomnia when nothing else will. I've tried several other medications and natural remedies, but none came close to the effectiveness of Seroquel. I try to take just half of a 25 mg tablet per night - as little as possible to put me down. The only bad thing about Seroquel for me is 30-1 hour after taking it, I'm starving!! I eat so much if I don't fall asleep first. I try to keep lots of raw veggies and fruit for snacking in case I can't contain myself. So worth the sleep, though."

• Tik...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 12, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I’ve been on quetiapine since I was 13 for major depression and anxiety. I was off of it for a brief period of less than a year when I was 19, and completely decompensated. As soon as it was restarted, within a matter of days, I was already feeling like myself again. While I’m not a fan of the increased appetite (and therefore weight gain), as well as the increased sedation, I feel like a normal person when I’m on it. I’m 21 now and able to excel through college because of this medication. I can’t express how grateful I am for it. If you deal with those same side effects, I recommend asking your doctor about adding a low dose of Vyvanse to your morning medications. It decreases appetite and wakes you up a bit, getting you out of that sedative head fog. Just my two cents. :-)"

• Lit...
• August 5, 2013

For Insomnia "I have been on quetiapine 50 mg for I don't know how long, but my sleep lasted 3 hrs. Then I would wake up and sleep the rest of the night. I was very tired and depressed all the time, very unhappy. About 5 days ago, my psych put me on 100 mg. Now I sleep all night, it feels like I'm in another world. I have not seen any more hunger. I won't know about weight gain for a while."

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

Seroquel (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!!!"