Does Seroquel Cause Weight Gain?

Seroquel (quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication. It’s FDA approved to treat a few mental health conditions, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It comes as an immediate-release tablet and an extended-release tablet (Seroquel XR). Depending on the condition being treated, Seroquel can be prescribed for children as young as 10 years old.

It’s common to want to know what side effects to expect when starting a new medication. And reading that weight gain is a side effect of Seroquel can spark a concern. How likely is this side effect? How much weight might you gain? Let’s discuss the facts surrounding Seroquel and weight gain, plus a few tips for managing weight changes should they happen to you.

Does Seroquel make you gain weight?

In short, yes. Seroquel can cause weight gain. But everyone’s experience with the medication is unique. So it’s possible you may take Seroquel without much or any change to your body weight.

Promotion disclosure

Seroquel (Quetiapine)

Avg retail price

$59.76(Save 84.97%)

GoodRx discount

$8.98

See all discounts

How it works

Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.

GoodRx discounts can help you pay less for your prescription.

Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.

It’s common for antipsychotic medications to cause weight gain. But not every medication in this class has the same risk when it comes to this side effect.

Seroquel has a moderate risk of causing weight gain. This means there are some antipsychotics that are less likely than Seroquel to cause weight gain, such as Latuda (lurasidone). But there are also antipsychotics more likely to cause it, such as Zyprexa (olanzapine).

How much weight do people gain while taking Seroquel?

It’s possible to gain a significant amount of weight while taking Seroquel. In clinical trials, people gained an average of about 4 lbs after taking Seroquel for 26 weeks (about 6 months). But up to 23% of people gained at least 7% of their starting body weight. The medication seems to carry a similar risk of weight gain for both adults and children.

How does Seroquel cause weight gain?

There are many factors that contribute to Seroquel’s ability to cause weight gain. This medication affects levels of several chemicals in the brain, including:

• Dopamine

• Serotonin

• Histamine

• Acetylcholine

But these chemicals impact other areas of the body, too. They can stop your brain from receiving signals from your gut that you’re full after eating. This can make you feel hungrier and cause you to consume more calories without realizing it.

Seroquel can also negatively affect how your body releases and responds to its natural insulin. What’s more, it can cause your body to make more glucose (sugar) and fat cells.

All these actions combined can affect your body’s overall metabolism. Over time, this can lead to weight gain.

4 tips for managing weight gain while taking Seroquel

Long-term weight gain from Seroquel can raise your risk for other health conditions. These include Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, among others. It’s a good idea to discuss ways to manage or prevent weight gain with your healthcare provider when you first start taking Seroquel. Below are four steps you and your provider may decide to try.

1. Follow a healthy diet

As mentioned above, Seroquel might make you feel hungrier. But the types of foods you eat when you’re feeling this way can make quite an impact when it comes to weight gain.

Eating “healthy” looks different for everyone, and it’s often easier said than done. Making small adjustments to your usual eating habits is a good starting point. You’re also more likely to stick with smaller changes longer than if you try to make big changes.

Some suggestions you could try include:

• Choosing snacks that are high in protein and fiber

• Meal prepping ahead of time instead of making meal decisions when you’re hungry

• Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables that you like

• Drinking more water throughout the day

• Picking foods that have unsaturated fats, such as avocado and nuts, rather than saturated fats

• Limiting foods that have added sugars

2. Exercise regularly

Exercising is a great way to help boost your metabolism when Seroquel is slowing it down. It can also provide added benefits when it comes to your mental health. The “best” exercise plan is unique for everyone. So it’s a good idea to discuss what’s right for you with your healthcare provider.

Some simple ways to add more activity into your day could include:

• Taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator

• Extending your walk with your dog by a few minutes

• Parking farther away than you usually would from store entrances

• Putting on your favorite tunes and dancing for a few minutes

• Doing a few sit-ups or push-ups during commercial breaks while watching TV

3. Limit alcohol consumption

Alcohol can contribute to weight gain. Like Seroquel, alcohol slows down your metabolism. It also adds extra calories. Cutting back on how much or how often you drink can help if you’re trying to lose or maintain body weight.

Good to know: Alcohol and Seroquel interact with each other, too. The combination can worsen side effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness. Alcohol can also worsen symptoms of your mental health condition and make Seroquel less effective. So, weight gain aside, it’s a good idea to avoid or limit alcohol while taking this medication.

4. Discuss medication options for weight loss

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to help manage weight gain with Seroquel, your provider may suggest weight-loss medications. These aren’t appropriate for everyone, as they have risks of their own. But they can be helpful for some people.

No medications are FDA approved for antipsychotic-related weight gain. But some medications are supported by clinical evidence for chronic weight management, including:

• Metformin, a popular diabetes medication

• Topiramate (Topamax), a medication taken for seizures and migraines

• Aripiprazole (Abilify), another antipsychotic that can sometimes cause weight loss

• Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), an injectable medication approved for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss

• Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda), an injectable medication that’s similar to semaglutide

Are there antipsychotic medications that don’t cause weight gain?

All antipsychotics have some risk of weight gain. But there are several options that have a lower risk of weight gain than Seroquel. It may be worth discussing these alternatives with your healthcare provider.

Antipsychotics that tend to cause little to no weight gain include:

• Haloperidol (Haldol)

• Ziprasidone (Geodon)

• Aripiprazole

• Lurasidone

• Cariprazine (Vraylar)

• Fluphenazine

Keep in mind that switching antipsychotics isn’t always the right option. You may find that these are less effective for your symptoms than Seroquel. They may also cause other unwanted side effects, such as restlessness or uncontrollable body movements.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Victoria Dadebo, PharmD, BCPS

Victoria Dadebo is a freelance pharmacy writer who began contributing to GoodRx in 2022. She has experience in both community and hospital settings, and she is furthering her pharmacy training to specialize in mental health.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts