How does seroquel make you gain weight

A key part of the program's strategy was teaching people that it was OK not to eat the entire meal. Finally, they tested the program with patients who were just starting on some of the medications that are known to cause weight gain, including Seroquel quetiapine , Risperdal risperidone , Clozaril clozapine , and Zyprexa olanzapine. In all cases, intervention prevented weight gain in more patients than in the control group, although the success rate depended on the medication.

A unique set of challenges exists for those with psychiatric disorders that might not in other populations, including the metabolic effects of their medications, the impact of symptoms on motivation, poor dietary habits, and high rates of sedentary behavior. For example, Ganguli and his team found that many people with schizophrenia eat at fast-food restaurants because these are inexpensive and convenient, but these meals are often high in calories and low in nutritional value.

Chronic poverty can also be a factor for those with mental illness, which affects the quality of life, self-esteem, and the ability to pursue "leisure" activities such as participating in exercise. A meta-analysis of 17 studies and nearly 2, participants looked at successful lifestyle interventions for those living with serious mental illness.

The study found that programs of at least a year's duration had more consistent outcomes. Some of these interventions included physical activity, nutritional advice, behavioral programs, and access to free fruits and vegetables. Successful outcomes included improved blood pressure, weight loss, BMI reduction, smaller waist circumference, and lower cholesterol.

Mental health practitioners of all kinds owe it to their patients to compassionately address the problem of medication-induced weight gain and recognize that their patients do care. Ganguli and Vreeland's work shows that while people living with mental health disorders face unique challenges, they are not only capable of making healthy lifestyle changes and losing weight but are often motivated with the right support.

A doctor who instructs their patient to simply "join Weight Watchers" to combat weight gain may not realize that some people aren't up for going to meetings when depressed and that some just aren't "group" people. A therapy group with people who have gained weight because of their psychotropic medications might, on the other hand, be helpful. It'll be important for providers to take the time to individualize their approach.

Losing weight while on psychotropic medications isn't fast or easy. Although it may be difficult, take encouragement from knowing there is solid research to show it is possible to lose weight, and still take your medication.

If you're concerned about weight gain caused by the medication you take, consult with your healthcare provider to develop a plan that will work for you. However mirtazapine does cause weight gain and increased appetite… After that I refused to take it…. On my day of hospitalization I was weighing 72kg my highest weight until then and I gained 12kg in three month with the treatment of olanzapine.

I definitely felt food cravings but since I was in hospital my food rations were perfectly normal. The science behind this article must be wrong. Eating more and exercising less does not account for my weight gain. Olanzapine messes with your metabolism in other ways.

Does anyone know what our daily calorie intake and fat intake is suppose to be while on these drugs to prevent weight gain??? I have been on risperdal 20 years and my weight is still going up. I lost a lot of years taking this and my stomach is getting bigger every day because I cannot stop eating lots of carbs! I hope someone can relate with me. Well I can agree with the people on Quetiapine about weight gain.

Simply reducing the problem to calories in vs calories out is not the answer. There is more at play here. I used to ve very slim before the medication, I now eat a third of what I used to now approx calories per day Tried excersise, going down to calories per day.

That just made me very weak. Various studies have shown that there are at least two types of gut bacteria that have a marked effect on weight gain. Interesting enough, there has been a study on the effect of Quetiapine on gut bacteria. It kills exactly the gut bacteria that are missing in obese people. Maybe someone studying for a medical degree might want to take this up.

FMT maybe? Bang on Kevin it has nothing to do with calories In and out this drug just makes you gain massive weight no matter what you do and they really need to address this as a matter of urgency as our health is at stake here n as we all know obesity n the complications it causes r the biggest killer. You take care. It seems one has to starve in order to stop gaining weight. Im trying everything.

My weight was 55kg and it doubled in a year on paliperidone. Doctors dont car. We are just guineypigs it seems. I have been on quetiapine for nearly a year. I started a diet and weight training in the gym when I started taking it and have never been fitter.

I am having a crisis at the moment. I really was hopeful and thought I had lost a lot of weight until I weighed myself and I got down and out. I was given a cocktail of drugs when in hospital and injections of abilify from October until February The worst thing I find is the weight gain.

I never used to suffer with weight gain until taking medication. There does seem to be a link between carbs and weight gain when taking anti-psychotics. If I eat carbohydrates my belly swells. If I cut out carbs I lose weight although this is very difficult to do as I feel tired and hungry. Time will tell. I am in the same situation as you, please message me to keep in contact.

I understand you. I am taking Olanzapine 3 days ago. I will try harder eat more heathly and do more exercise and, obviously talk with my psychiatrist. I take 75mg of Seroquel per night for severe insomnia. I generally walk at least miles per day.

I drink a celery smoothei with a cup or less of coconut water or juice each morning. For lunch I usually have random fresh vegetables and 1 or 2 slices of whole wheat bread. Often I skip lunch and have fresh veggies and rice, maybe a small amount of meat for dinner. It seems no matter how little or what I eat, my stomach becomes bloated and swollen very easily.

Now it seems very difficult or nearly impossible to lose stomach fat. Sometimes even just drinking water makes my stomach bloated and hard. The sleep from Seroquel has been decent compared to various benzos and z meds I tried in the past. I have alot of the same concerns about weight gain and anti-psychotic meds. My son just got out of the hospital due to relapse. He gained 23 lbs in 5 wks. His condition improved. But I know he is concerned over this large gain.

He has been dealing with this more 5 yrs now. Not only does the condition break my heart, but the fact that the weight gain makes him sad.

Im very fat. From 51 kilos im 75 kilos. All from antipsyhotic. I m on ariprizole and its nightmare. My body can do anymore from all the side effects. Please give me some addvice. I food prep all my dinners i do medium sized portions of chicken breast, mushrooms, capsicum, brussel sprouts and avocado but for breaky I will have two or three boiled eggs with a coffee dont really eat lunch I just eat lots of fruit and will have a can of tuna.

If you can be stupidly strict and have ridiculous self control then its possible to lose weight im actually starting to feel scared that I will put on alot more down the track because fighting that constant feeling of hunger is the most tormenting and hardest feeling.

We cant just go to the gym and be on diets and expect to lose weight because we no were gonna binge out on the wrongs food and gain back all the weight then all our hard work is all for nothing. I have been on anti psychotic drugs for over 10 years brands have varied from Olanzapine and Risperidone to my current Amisulpride. I have always eaten very healthily and resist cravings for sweet foods the Olanzapine — Risperidone period.

Until I started taking anti- pshychotics, I was always very conscientious about healthy weight and fitness levels and had a small to middle ranged build. To me this is hiorrendous. It has taken me 10 years and a doctor who actually listened to my worries seriously without casting me off with the usual scripted rubbish for the matter to be taken seriously.

I have had tests with an endochronologist to see if there are any undermining health matters but all have come back clear. On Olanzapine and Risperidone, my cholesterol levels also went from 4 to 8, which I have reduced now through statins and diet and a change of drug to Amisulpride to a normal 3. There must be a reason why doctors will not acknowledge the weight gain at such a dangerous level is actually caused by anti-psychotics.

I find mostly that eating any carbs, fats and sugar at all, even the smallest amounts, causes me major weight gain and adds to bloating and my ever destended belly which a heavily pregnant woman would be proud of. My flat stomach is now destended and over hanging. None of this is down to food and yet one of the solutions now being offered is bariatric surgery.

I have enough will power to deny myself or resist food without needing an operation to reduce or bypass my stomach. The only other solution at present seems to be a tier 3 weight management programme. This is diet and exercise etc. I am going to be referred to this group as a matter of hoop jumping, hoping they will come up with a solution, although I am not sure what else I can do to change my diet. Patients taking quetiapine are lucky because increasing the dosage has no apparent relationship with an increase in BMI.

That being said, it is still true that everyone has a different genetic makeup and is subject to different external conditions, which is why patients taking Quetiapine should still be cautious, consult a doctor and take the prescribed dosage. Some patients may experience Seroquel weight loss after stopping the medication.

Other studies and clinical trials show that Seroquel has a neutral effect on body mass and that the increase in mass is not linked with dosage. One such study analyzed patients treated with quetiapine as monotherapy with controlled and open-label extension trials. In the beginning, their weight was assessed using the BMI and then again after 18 months. This test showed that no matter what the dose, Seroquel does not cause users to gain a lot.

On the contrary, some patients with obesity were noted to have been losing weight on Seroquel during the month trial. It may be because antipsychotic patients are advised to refrain from excessive eating and introduce some physical activity in their routines. The precise reason why antipsychotics lead to body mass gain has not yet been found, which is why there is also no sure shot way of protecting oneself from it. That being said, Seroquel weight gain is usually the result of a calorie imbalance where a person consumes more calories than they burn.

Also, patients should find cheap and healthy alternatives for fast food. Fast food is the quickest and most affordable way to satisfy calorie cravings. If healthier options are just as readily available, they should be chosen instead.

It may be done by making a meal plan. Ex-patients of Quetiapine who have gained pounds usually try to find a substitute with the help of a doctor. Unfortunately, this is not of much use as the body mass has already been changed. Instead, one should try their best to live a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy. Antipsychotics increase sugar levels in the blood. This is dangerous for the heart and is also why Seroquel and diabetes are often linked.

After completing the treatment, users should choose foods that are low in fats, sugars, and cholesterol. It is beneficial for heart and body health. Secondly, daily exercise should be a part of the routine for patients who are tapering off Seroquel. This will help burn extra calories. Daily workouts eventually lead to weight loss , confidence, boost energy, strength, and motivation.

All these benefits improve the mental and physical condition of the patient. I was on mg for about a year and gained 30 pounds. Right around the middle and none of my clothing fit.

For the next year the dose was slowly decreased to 50mg, which I got to in early May. Until May I never even tried to lose the weight because of what I read others experienced.

I decided then was the time to try to get the weight off. Three weeks ago I started experiencing panic attacks and recurring depression again so my Seroquel dose was moved back to mg. Much to my shock I still lost 5 pounds at the higher dose. So, all is not lost, you might be one of the lucky ones who can get the weight off too.

Been on quetiapine for 6 weeks now, mg at night and twice 25mg during the day. I am now 10 stone after losing about 4lbs since I started but I have been very active and on a high carb, low fat diet as I read the horror stories!

Gym 3 times a week and long daily dog walks. My mania has been seriously up and down over this time but gradually decreasing. I have been taking mg of Seroquel once a day for the past 6 months and gained 30 pounds. The pounds were starting to pack up about 2 months ago. I only eat well and healthy and I go to the gym 3 to 4 times a week and also walk close to 6km a day with my dog. It keeps on piling up. I now weigh pounds. I feel good in my head, Im bi-polar type 2. But I feel like shit on the outside.

My Ex-boyfriend left me while I was hospitalized in March, because he could not understand the diagnosis and accept it. My self-esteem is crap. I gained most of the pounds around my belly and my face. I have a appointment with my doctor this week and will talk to her about it and see if she can do something for me. Please tell me there is hope. Thanks for this post as it makes a lot of sense! This is so uncomfortable. In my case I suffer from anxiety, depression and an eating disorder.

Before taking Seroquel I was relatively skinny and my medical team watched what I ate so I could get to a healthy weight — as I was anemic too. I absolutely hate it.

The little self esteem I had has gone down the drain. But am completely done with Seroquel. I hate that I have to choose between being mentally stable and my own weight. I started to gain weight in the first 6 weeks, dropped my dose down and actually went into withdrawals. Not crazy about this medicine, but it does help anxiety and sleeplessness. Absolutely not worth it!

My experience with seroquel was absolutely horrifying! I gained 20 lbs within the first month and ended up with a permanent thyroid disorder that I have to be medicated for for the rest of my life! This pill ruined my life! I was prescribed it for insomnia and it was like muscle relaxer. It added to my body image issues, killed my sex drive and worsened my self esteem. It also made me sleepy and tired all the time. It did not help me at all. It has also been several years and the weight has never gone away.

I also still have the annoying thyroid problem which also makes it hard to lose weight. I have a bad heart. Am gaining weight on Seroquel. I am also diabetic. Tried dieting. Impossible to lose weight on this medication. Remember, as all react to it differently.

Yet, some of us react the same. I went from to on this drug over three years. Not fun. Also no fun. Also keep your diet high in protein and fiber which helps control your appetite very much which helped me lose 80 lbs in 14 months. So everybody should look up all of the information about the diet and use CLA and omega 3 fatty acids.

Eat plenty of fish with will give you the omega 3 fatty acids that you need or use high quality fish oil. CLA is an omega 6 fatty acid that works better for burning fat during exercise and also works as an appetite suppressant like protein and fiber. Whey protein is the best thing to consume that helps with your diet including the energy that you need for motivation to stay active.

So if you have a problem with weight gain, then start a healthy ketogenic diet because it will help you lose weight faster than anyone on a standard diet plan. It also helps control medical problems like epilepsy for people that have no luck with medication.

It can also prevent different forms of cancer and other medical issues that you can look up online. Good luck everyone and have a nice life. I was actually able to lose 30 unwanted lbs on Seroquel. My psychiatrist weighed me every appointment for the first few months. I had self medicated with food before starting it, and feeling better emotionally allowed me to lose the unwanted weight.

I have bipolar mood disorder. I have been on Seroquel for about 8 months now. I have gained almost 30 lbs. I have weight gain in places I never had. I am now down to 50mg and want to stop it all together. My sleeping and mood has gotten better for sure, although I do dream more.

Unfortunately on the downside, the weight gain is way more depressing and lowered my self esteem. Unfortunate though…. I slowly went up to lbs. After like 5 months of working a hard new job and lowering from mg to 50mg I stabilized at lbs.

Never been overweight my entire life until I got on this medication. In the first year I gained almost lbs. I am a major depressive and was diagnosed bipolar II. I am bothered by vivid dreams and rage issues and the Seroquel allows me to have a deep sleep which I cannot do without. Good luck everybody. I take mg a night. I started taking this antipsychotic at the end of February I feel healthier.

When I reluctantly started on Seroquel, I noticed the benefits almost right away. I was calmer and more peaceful, but unfortunately I also started eating like a pig.