Alternatives to Seroquel? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

JenW67 · 08-15-2006, 02:50 PM

Hi everyone,

I just posted a note question about Lamictal and realize now that it should have been about seroquel. It seems that since I have been on the two, I have gained a couple of pounds every month, in spite of exercise and eating a healthy diet.

I have done some research on Seroquel and just about every source says that it can cause wieght gain or even diabetes.

My problem is that it works really well for the manic side of my cyclothymia. I do hate the dry mouth and slow metabolism that it seems to be causing.

Is anyone here on anything to treat their manic episodes that does not have such side effects?

Thanks,

Jen

goody2shuz · 08-15-2006, 04:03 PM

Hi again, Jen

When we had to make a choice between atypical antipsychotics the choices we got from our daughter's pdoc were Risperdal, Geodon or Seroquel. Another is Zyprexa but I have heard that there is weight gain attributed to that as well. Somebody told me that their son did not have weight gain with Zyprexa so again I think that you should ask your pdoc which med he has best results with and which has least side effects and go with that. Even though the med profile says weight gain you may not be one of the patients who responds in that manner.

That is how I am going to do things with my daughter for now on. I am going to listen to the pdoc and see my daughter's response.....if she gains weight we will have to weigh that against her overall response to the med. Right now at the age of 15 I am trying my best to realize that weight gain will affect her overall self esteem and compliance with meds which is something we have to really look at.

Hope this helps ~ Goody

sarahHaran · 08-15-2006, 04:58 PM

I found Zyprexa to be a miracle drug. It helped with everything. But, I gained 25 pounds while on it. I'm not sure, though, if it was the Zyprexa or thyroid issues. My doctor feels it's Zyprexa. Zyprexa and Seroquel are very similar in their chemical structure and both tend to cause weight gain (quoting doctor). Seroquel never did anything for me, though, that's why I went on to Zyprexa.

Since then, I've switched to Risperdal, which also does some great things, it really seems to help with agitation for me, although since I'm bipolar II, I don't get extreme manias. It has completely fixed my insomnia problem (I take it at night). My doctor says it's more weight-neutral than Zyprexa. Risperdal isn't as dramatic of a change for me, but it seems to be a great alternative to Zyprexa (and Seroquel), and is helping with a lot.