Seroquel and side effects

Hi Kristine,

Sorry to hear you're dealing with sleep problems. I've struggled on and off for most of my life. I've never been too great with medication. I never enjoyed the way it made me feel and it often affected my sleeping. I've found some other things that have helped me to get better sleep. The thing that's working best for me right now are guided meditation exercises focused on sleep before bed.

Feel free to send me a message if I can share any more tips or things that have helped me. Always happy to help where I can.

I was on Seroquel ( a high dose but don’t remember exactly) for insomnia. It worked like a dream for me and helped my depression from chronic pain. However I developed Tardive Dyskinesia (weird facial movements that were uncontrollable). I thought the TD was permanent but it did finally go away after about a year. That class of medication, the antipsychotics, can work well for insomnia but often produces unwanted side effects. I was also on Abilify in that same drug class which helped my insomnia and depression but I developed a significant tremor, so much so that people often asked if I had Parkinson’s disease. Remeron, another antipsychotics had the same bad side effects of exacerbating my already out of control migraines. Ambien worked well for me for sleep but is a benzodiazepine which is addictive and can cause memory issues, I lost 3 days time while taking it. Same with Ativan, it’s also a benzodiazepine which works but is highly addictive and quickly requires more and more to sleep. I’m on it now along with hydroxide and 900 mg of Gabapentin. It works and was given to me as my estranged sister passed away unexpectedly leaving me in a state of shock and guilt. Good luck to you. I’m signed up for a sleep study but it took me a year to get an appointment so we’ll see what happens though I doubt much.

I couldn't even take 12 1/2 mg of seroquel . It made me high. The 4th nite I took it I lost consciousness in the bathroom broke 5 ribs in 10 places was in the hospital 4 15days, a chest tube at opioid iv. I've never been in so much pain!!! What's the rationale for atypical antipsychotics for insomnia. Ambien is a dangerous drug. I am now prescribed trazodone 100 mg a nite. Works great!! Good luck!

I was on Seroquel for sleep for about a year. It really helped my sleep and I did not have trouble waking up however I don’t remember the dosage. I loved how well the Seroquel helped me fall and stay asleep. However I developed Tardive Dyskinesia (weird uncontrollable mouth and toe movements) that I only discovered when I accidentally recorded myself during a Zoom call. I was horrified and had to get off of it. I thought the TD was permanent but after more than a year it has mostly gone away. I’ve tried 3 different antipsychotics including Seroquel. Abilify, which eventually caused severe tremors, and Remeron which exacerbated my migraines. While all of them helped both my sleep and depression, the side effects were not worth it. I was even taking a drug called Ingrezza for TD but that made me extremely dizzy so I couldn’t tolerate it. Those antipsychotics are very powerful drugs, be careful with them like you seem to be. Good luck to you.

Remeron is not an antipsychotic

I know this is an old post but can you site your source regarding the experts trying to stop it from being prescribed for insomnia thanks

Polypharmacy by psychiatry still traumatizes me to this day. Psychiatry is not the discipline to use this.

@markalyce
Besides the manufacturer and numerous researchers this is what Mayo clinic has to say about it.

Seroquel is a powerful antipsychotic medication used for conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
While it has a sedative effect, drowsiness is considered a side effect, not the primary intended purpose when used for sleep.
Experts are actively discouraging off-label use of Seroquel for insomnia.
Insufficient evidence exists to support its safety and effectiveness for insomnia in the general population.
Serious side effects are associated with Seroquel, including weight gain, increased blood pressure and cholesterol, and a higher risk of cardiovascular events.
Alternative treatments are available for insomnia, including other medications and lifestyle changes.
However, in some specific cases:
Seroquel may be helpful for sleep problems related to symptoms of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
It might also help reduce anxiety and depression, which can interfere with sleep.
Its use for insomnia should be confined primarily to patients with comorbid mood or schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
Important considerations:
Even at low doses, Seroquel carries risks, notes GoodRx.
Discuss any sleep issues with your doctor to determine the most appropriate treatment for you.
Your doctor will weigh the potential benefits against the risks before recommending Seroquel for sleep.
In summary, while Seroquel can cause drowsiness, the Mayo Clinic emphasizes that it is not recommended as a sleep aid for primary insomnia due to insufficient evidence of effectiveness and the potential for serious side effects.

Here's what the Cleveland clinic has to say about it.

Seroquel is a powerful antipsychotic medication used for conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
While it has a sedative effect, drowsiness is considered a side effect, not the primary intended purpose when used for sleep.
Experts are actively discouraging off-label use of Seroquel for insomnia.
Insufficient evidence exists to support its safety and effectiveness for insomnia in the general population.
Serious side effects are associated with Seroquel, including weight gain, increased blood pressure and cholesterol, and a higher risk of cardiovascular events.
Alternative treatments are available for insomnia, including other medications and lifestyle changes.
However, in some specific cases:
Seroquel may be helpful for sleep problems related to symptoms of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
It might also help reduce anxiety and depression, which can interfere with sleep.
Its use for insomnia should be confined primarily to patients with comorbid mood or schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
Important considerations:
Even at low doses, Seroquel carries risks, notes GoodRx.
Discuss any sleep issues with your doctor to determine the most appropriate treatment for you.
Your doctor will weigh the potential benefits against the risks before recommending Seroquel for sleep.
In summary, while Seroquel can cause drowsiness, the Mayo Clinic emphasizes that it is not recommended as a sleep aid for primary insomnia due to insufficient evidence of effectiveness and the potential for serious side effects.

I have a friend who took Seroquel and developed Seroquel induced diabetes.
Take care,
Jake

Thank you for this information. I’ll be sure to discuss this with my doctor tomorrow.