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What Causes Weight Loss While On Seroquel?

Posted on Sat, 29 Aug 2015

Question: 5 months ago I was put on 100mg of seroquel/night for anxiety and insomnia due to divorce stress. My dr says I will only be on it temporarily bc my problem is situational. It has helped a lot with sleep bc of stress I was suffering from insomnia.

I have more energy now to work out bc I get enough sleep now and have actually lost weight since I started it. However I have read online that seroquel can lead to weight gain. I have not experienced this but I asked my dr about this risk. He told me 1. my dose is too small to cause weight gain and 2. That seroquel doesnt really cause weight gain. It can cause an increase in appetite which leads to patient eating more which then causes weight gain

Is this accurate?

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
your doctor is right

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing back to us.

Your doctor is right. 100 mg seroquel is not high dose as 600-800 mg dose is also given for other indications.
And it causes some metabolic changes which in turn increases appetite and weight. But this is not always the case. Not all patients gain weight on seroquel. One can prevent weight gain by controlling diet and food habits.

It is good that you have not gain weight and rather low appetite.

So no need to worry and continue treatment under your doctor's guidance.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (50 minutes later)

Why does my anxiety affect my sleep so much? I was always a healthy sleeper never had problems. But ever since this stress I need to seroquel to sleep.

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
sleep and anxiety both affect each other

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for follow up.

Anxiety causes activation of sympathetic system of body. This hyper activated system causes neurochemical changes in brain which in turn affects sleep.
Vice-a-versa person who suffers from insomnia for few weeks can suffer from anxiety disorder.

If it is confirmed that you had anxiety initially due to your divorce issue and due to that you suffered from sleep disturbance, I would like to treat your anxiety first.

If you are overall better now Seroquel is enough. But you have day time anxiety you need treatment for the same.

Feel free to discuss further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (1 hour later)

Are the changes in the brain from
Anxiety permenant? During the day I do my best to control the anxiety w meditation, yoga, etc but still need seroquel to sleep. Sometimes, depending on stress level, the seroquel seems stronger than other times. For example, I had a relaxing vacation and found I was sleeping longer and more drowsy. But if I have bad stress I sometimes do have interrupted sleep and on those nights I sometimes will take 125mg per drs advice.

Do u think my natural sleep will ever come back?

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes your natural sleep will come back for sure

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for good question. I can understand your apprehension.

With 5 months of problem there will be no more permanent changes in brain.And even after chronic problem for years these changes can be reversible if anxiety is only there.

It is good that you are trying yoga and meditation they can help a lot if you do regularly.

If still any query there, I will be happy to answer. If not, you can close the discussion and if feasible give your feedback and rating so I can improve my service. In future you can contact me directly on this site if you wish with this link:
http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki
by clicking on 'Ask me a question' on same page.

Your natural sleep will come back gradually as soon as you come out of your anxiety and your drug decreased and stopped.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (2 days later)

Normally my dr rx 30days/seroquel and I have an appt every 30days to asess anxiety. However I am going on extended trip for 3months, will my dr be able to rx 90days of seroquel or is that not allowed?

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes treatment for 90 days can be prescribed

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for follow up.

Yes if you have valid reason for not being able to see doctor your doctor can prescribe treatment for 90 days.

You can discuss about your trip plan to doctor and I think your doctor will not mind at all for 3 month prescription.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (13 hours later)

Can my dose of seroquel damage my brain?

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
no not at all

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Sorry for delayed response.

100 mg seroquel is not high dose and cannot damage your brain.
No need to worry.

Wish you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (9 hours later)

If the 100mg/night makes me sleep 11hours and im drowsy for a bit after waking should I talk to my dr about lowering the dose?

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes dose reduction is needed

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Adult person requires 6-8 hours sleep per day. 11 hours sleep is more and even after that you feel drowsy. This means reduction in dose of seroquel is needed.

Please tell your doctor about this issue without any hesitation.

Take care.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar