Does Seroquel XR Cause Weight Gain?
Weight gain is a common side effect of
Seroquel XR® (
quetiapine XR). In clinical studies, significant weight gain (an increase of 7 percent of body weight or more) occurred in up to 10 percent of people taking
Seroquel XR (compared to only 5 percent of people taking a placebo, a "sugar pill" with no active ingredients.
While a small or moderate amount of weight gain is typical during treatment with Seroquel XR, some people can gain very large amounts of weight while taking this drug. This weight gain is thought to increase the risk of
diabetes or other health problems. Therefore, if you are noticing a rapid or large increase in weight while taking Seroquel XR, make sure to talk with your healthcare provider.
If you are noticing a small or moderate unexplained weight gain with Seroquel XR, there are some things that you can do. Some suggestions include:
- Participating in regular physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week.
- Eating a heart-healthy diet. This diet should include heart-healthy foods, such as:
- Lots of fruits, vegetables, grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
- Lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.
- Limiting foods with saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium (salt), and added sugars.
- Limiting your intake of alcohol.
(Click BMI Calculator to see if your weight is within a healthy range.)
