Quetiapine fumarate, sold as the brand Seroquel, is a prescription-only medicine approved for treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It is classified as an atypical antipsychotic medication, and it works by changing the action of neurotransmitters in the brain. As with similar drugs, Seroquel commonly causes weight gain as a side effect.
Uses
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are brain disorders that cause abnormal thinking and behavior, making it difficult to function in normal life. Although Seroquel is not a cure, it improves symptoms of these conditions. Doctors are allowed to prescribe legal medications for uses not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and some prescribe Seroquel for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder, and as an additional therapy with antidepressant medications to treat major depressive disorder.
Side Effects
Seroquel has numerous possible side effects, two of which are increased appetite and weight gain. In pre-approval clinical studies, up to 23 of 100 participants in some studies gained at least 7 percent of their body weight when taking this drug, reports eMedTV. Some patients put on large amounts of weight. Other side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, dry mouth, sore throat, abdominal pain, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and constipation.
Complications
Being overweight increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and other health problems, and Seroquel use is also associated with high blood sugar. Drugs.com recommends talking to your doctor if you take Seroquel and have any signs of high blood sugar, such as increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, fatigue or weakness. Diabetic patients should monitor their blood sugar closely while taking Seroquel. In addition, Seroquel use is connected with increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels, cautions Drugs.com.
Preventive Measures
While taking Seroquel, a lifestyle including proper diet, exercise and monitoring yourself for weight gain and diabetes is advisable, says the National Alliance on Mental Illness. If you start gaining weight while taking this medication, you can lose the weight or prevent putting on more by eating a diet that includes plenty of fruit, vegetables and whole grains, and avoids saturated and trans fats, as noted by eMedTV. For protein, eat low-fat or fat-free dairy products and lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans and nuts. Limit foods with added sodium or sugar, and limit alcohol intake as well. In addition, exercise at least 30 minutes per day most days of the week.
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