Quetiapine

[Katiee]

I was offered the anti-psychotic Quetiapine by my psych. I think it would be very helpful for me right now, but I'm very very worried about the weight gain. I know all anti-psychotic medications carry that risk, but I fear it would make me feel worse. I've heard stories online that people gain like 80lb and it's so difficult to get rid of.

Why does it cause you to gain weight? Is it because it increases your appetite?

Does anyone have any experiences with Quetiapine?

[Buttons.]

I found the meds helped me and what weight gain I had was not to do with the meds, but rather other things.

[Irisflower]

Meds are different for everyone; for me, I was on it for a year and I had the weight gain. Am now on the antipsychotic Latuda.

[tiptoes]

I have been on it for about 5 years and it's been pretty much weight neutral. If I have had a dose change sometimes I gain a little in the short term but after a little while it goes down again.

When my weight has increased due to poor diet and lack of moving I have been able to lose it again by making more sensible food choices.

There are times when I crave fatty foods much more than I would normally which I think is down to the quetiapine but if I don't give in to them they go away. Takes a bit longer if I do give in!

I was unsure about the medication at first but it has done wonders for my mood. I know there are others that have other experiences though

[Arienette]

I've had slight weight gain but nothing that outweighs the benefit of quetiapine for me. For me it's nothing like olanzapine weight wise, which is a good compromise.

Over the years, it's been the most agreeable and effective anti-P I've had overall.

The hunger also wears off over time, so with some conscious effort eating enough and not over eating is definitely achievable. X

[Ktulu]

I take it and it has increased my weight significantly. It stimulates my appetite quite strongly. However it hasn't stopped me losing weight if I am disciplined.

[CatFairy]

I have been on it for roughly 3 years and it hasnt caused me any weight gain

[Steel Maiden]

Quetiapine can cause weight gain, but not as much as olanzapine normally does.

Although saying that, I am generalising. Everyone's pharmacokinetics are different.

[GrimmFaerieTale]

I've been on it for about 5 years and I have gained a lot of weight in that time. I was also on Fluoxetine and the contraceptive injection so not sure if they had a combination affect or if it was down to one of them...or none. I'm now morbidly obese but mentally I'd be in a much worse place without the Quetiapine. If it really concerns you, perhaps have a chat with your Psych and see what they say. If you are very aware of it from the start, perhaps you can add things into your routine/life that could help counteract any gain (assuming you don't have any eating disorder issues already??) before it creeps up on you and becomes harder to control.