What Causes Rapid Weight Loss After Stopping Seroquel?

Doctors prescribe Seroquel to improve several mental health conditions. This particular medicine has side effects like any other medicine.

Are you here to find out the answer to why you are experiencing rapid weight loss after stopping Seroquel?

So, here’s your answer. Seroquel, also known as quetiapine, promotes weight gain in many people due to its effects on several neurotransmitter systems, metabolic processes, hormonal changes and lifestyle. As a result, some people may lose weight after stopping Seroquel.

In this article, we will investigate why rapid weight loss happens once you stop this medicine. We will explore the link between weight loss, weight gain and Seroquel. 

What is Seroquel?

Antipsychotic medicine Seroquel (quetiapine) is frequently given to treat anxiety, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. It maintains a healthy balance between dopamine and serotonin in your brain. Your emotions, actions, and ideas are all controlled by these hormones. 

This is how this medicine helps patients with the following illnesses:

Schizophrenia:

Hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, and emotional withdrawal are among schizophrenic symptoms that Seroquel can assist with.

Bipolar Disorder

Acute manic and depressed episodes connected to bipolar illness are treated with it. It can also be used as a long-term maintenance therapy to stop recurrences.

Depressive Disorder

In situations where antidepressants alone have not sufficiently relieved symptoms, Seroquel may be used as a supplementary therapy.

Usage of Seroquel And Precaution

The antipsychotic medication quetiapine is well-known for treating several mental illnesses. It assists in reestablishing the proper ratio of a few natural substances in the brain. Quetiapine may lessen the frequency of severe mood swings. It enables you to think more clearly and feel better about yourself. It makes you less anxious and helps you to participate more actively in daily life.

You should only consider taking this medicine if your doctor prescribes it to you. A patient can’t self-treat with this medicine.

As your doctor prescribes, take Seroquel by mouth 2 or 3 times daily before or after taking a meal. You need to avoid stopping this medicine without first talking to your doctor. When this medication is abruptly discontinued, some problems may get worse.

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to quetiapine or if you have any other allergies before taking it because inactive chemicals present in this product can trigger allergic reactions or other issues.

Take the missed dosage as soon as you recall it if you miss it. Skip the missed dosage if it is almost time for the subsequent dose. To catch up, do not increase the amount.

At the scheduled time, take your subsequent dose of Seroquel.

Rapid Weight Loss After Stopping Seroquel

Although this medicine has been shown to help treat already-mentioned illnesses, one of its adverse effects is weight gain. During the timeframe of Seroquel medication, many patients endure considerable weight gain, which can be upsetting and challenging to handle. So, when patients stop taking this drug, they tend to lose weight.

It’s unclear exactly how quetiapine makes people lose weight. Some hypothesized processes include merely switching from a high-risk to a low-risk antipsychotic and paradoxical hunger suppression. The list also includes worsening insulin resistance and induction of hypoglycemia.

To understand the reasons behind rapid weight loss after stopping this medication, we must look into the causes behind weight gain while taking Seroquel. Here I have prepared a table to demonstrate the reasons for both issues, weight gain and weight loss :

The Link Between Weight Gain And Seroquel

The chance of Seroquel increasing weight is lower than other antipsychotic drugs. Although it might differ from person to person, the risk still persists. There are a number of things that are thought to have an impact, but the exact cause of this weight increase is not entirely known.

Here I’m listing possible causes for weight gain due to taking Seroquel:

Increase in Appetite

Hormones like leptin and ghrelin control hunger and appetite. The use of Seroquel has been linked to changes in these hormones, which enhance appetite and hunger feelings. Secretion of leptin and ghrelin homeostasis may lead to incorrect hypothalamic signals that cause hunger.

As a result, people feel more hungry than usual, which may lead to consuming more calories than usual. An increase in appetite like this might make you put on weight.

Changes in Metabolism

Seroquel influences how the body burns and stores energy by changing the metabolism. This may result in a slower metabolic rate and a greater propensity to accumulate fat. 

The body’s reaction to stress is influenced by the stress hormone cortisol. According to certain research, Seroquel may raise cortisol levels, which may lead to altered metabolism and weight gain.

Hormonal Changes

There have been reports of Seroquel impacting certain people’s thyroid function. Thyroid hormone levels may alter and affect how metabolism and energy control are regulated. This can be causing weight gain though there’s no clinical proof.

Fluid Retention

While taking Seroquel, some patients may have fluid retention, which might lead to transient weight gain. Some people may become less active due to Seroquel’s sedative and drowsy effects. Lack of movement can limit blood flow to the extremities and increase fluid retention.

Causes Behind Rapid Weight Loss After Stopping Seroquel

Seroquel, which can affect several parameters linked to appetite, metabolism, and body composition, might cause weight loss after discontinuation.

Let’s have a look at the causes of losing weight after stopping Seroquel:

Reduced Appetite 

As previously mentioned, this medicine impacts hormones like leptin and ghrelin, which control hunger and fullness. Seroquel is well recognized for increasing appetite in many people.

When the medicine is stopped, the appetite may return to normal or even decline, resulting in less food being consumed and possible weight loss.

Metabolic Adjustments 

Seroquel can change metabolic processes, perhaps resulting in a reduction in metabolic rate. When the medicine is gone from the body, the metabolic rate may return to normal. This may impact how well the body burns calories and accumulates fat.

Fluid Retention Resolution

As previously stated, some people who use Seroquel may have fluid retention. When the medicine is stopped, the extra fluid will be removed. This causes the water weight to decrease and the body weight to momentarily drop.

Increase in Energy Use

The sedative effects of Seroquel may result in less physical activity and a more sedentary way of living. Some people may become more active after stopping their medicine. This might increase their energy consumption and result in weight loss.

Effects on The Digestive System

Seroquel could hinder digestion and gastrointestinal motility, resulting in digestive problems. Any gastrointestinal issues may go away once the medicine is stopped, which would enhance digestion and nutrient absorption.

Changes in The Taste Bud

While taking Seroquel, some people experience alterations in taste perception. This may have an impact on their food preferences and dietary decisions. Taste sensitivity may return to normal after quitting the medicine, which might cause changes in eating patterns and food preferences.

Side Effects of Seroquel

Although Seroquel is usually regarded as a safe medication misuse, overdosing has led to serious illnesses.

Never use Seroquel in higher doses or longer than your doctor prescribes. Severe movement disorders that may not be reversible can be brought on by high dosages or prolonged usage. Tremors or other involuntary muscular movements are signs of this condition.

Less Severe And Short Time Side Effects

• Lightheadedness
• Difficulty thinking and speaking
• Mood swings
• Weakness in muscle
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Weight gain

Rare Yet Severe Side Effects of Seroquel

• Quetiapine may result in tardive dyskinesia, a disorder. This condition might, in certain circumstances, be lifelong. It causes uncontrolled movement of the mouth, tongue, arms or legs.
• The amount of prolactin produced by your body may rise due to quetiapine. Women may experience getting unwanted breast milk. Some have complained about missing or halted periods. Patients can face trouble getting pregnant as a result of this prolactin surge. 
• Due to an increase in prolactin, males may be unable to generate sperm. Male patients can get larger as a consequence.
• Allergic reactions like swelling lymph nodes, trouble breathing, or rashes may appear. The patient’s face can become swollen too.
• Your blood cholesterol levels may also increase significantly due to this medication.
• It can change your heart rate.
• Patients may experience changes in their vision.
• This medicine can cause confusion and fainting.

How to Lose Weight Naturally after Seroquel

Taking medicines like Seroquel can dramatically change your lifestyle. It can be especially challenging if you’re trying to manage weight gain while taking psychiatric medications. 

Here are some tips you can follow to control weight gain:

Embrace a Balanced Diet

Concentrate on eating a balanced diet comprising a range of nutrient-rich foods. Put an emphasis on fresh produce, nutritious grains, lean meats, and healthy fats. Limit the amount of processed meals, sweetened beverages, and high-calorie snacks you consume.

Make Portion Control a Habit

Portion control is important to prevent overeating and help you in your weight loss journey. Smaller, more frequent meals spread out throughout the day can help control blood sugar levels and curb ravenous cravings.

Prioritize Hydration

Drink a lot of water all day long. Sometimes, hunger and thirst might need clarification, which results in unneeded calorie consumption.

Increase Physical Activity And Prioritize Sleep

Regular exercise should be a part of your regimen. To help burn calories and develop muscle, try to combine aerobic workouts and strength training. Don’t ignore the power of an active lifestyle and its role in helping you to maintain a healthy weight.

FAQs

How to Counteract Seroquel Weight Gain?

Antipsychotics reduce the body’s metabolism. Thus, the user should continue regular exercise, ideally more than usual, to control Seroquel and weight gain. Patients should also look for affordable, nutritious alternatives to fast food. 

What Percentage of People Gain Weight on Quetiapine?

According to NIH, 37% of patients gained over 7% of their initial body weight while taking quetiapine. Most weight gain symptoms started to appear within 12 weeks of starting this medicine. 

Does Seroquel Affect Diabetics?

Yes, it increases the chance of getting diabetes. It increases the sugar level. So, consult your doctor for a tailored dosage of Seroquel.

Bottom Line

Patients who have stopped using Seroquel and are losing a lot of weight should see their doctor to get their general health status checked. You can talk about possible causes and make a strategy for how to manage your health. 

It is unclear exactly how much weight is lost after quitting Seroquel. Though rapid weight loss after stopping Seroquel can scare you, you must take it as part of the withdrawal process.