Link between Seroquel and Heart Problems?

Posted by Majic @majic, Nov 5, 2017

My psychiatrist put me on Seroquel approximately 4-5 years ago, on a low dose of 100mg, as a sleep aid.
Apparently it is used as an anti-psychotic in high doses, however in low doses it can be used as a sleep aid because of its anti-histamine properties (that are found in allergy pills for example that make you sleepy).

Fast forward to this past June, and I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Congestive Heart Failure, the "idiopathic cardiomyopathy" kind, idiopathic meaning the doctors don't know how or why I now have this. It came on VERY suddenly.

I was hospitalized for a week, all of the 'usual' tests, and I was free of any clots or blockages. My ejection fraction was 20-25%.
Trying to find a cause:
A virus? I haven't been sick in a long time, not even a cold.
I have never smoked or used illicit drugs; I have maybe a dozen alcoholic drinks per year, and there is no history of heart failure in my family. So they went through all of my current meds to see if there was a cause.
I have been on Seroquel (100mg), Clonazepam as needed, Wellbutrin, and Citalopram (20mg) for years.
After the doctors did some quick research, the Cardiologist took me off the Seroquel immediately, saying heart failure was a possible side effect, however extremely small the chance might be.

My psychiatrist has since told me "it's not the Seroquel".

It's a long shot, but has anyone been told their Seroquel use led to heart failure?

Thank you for any help.

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@sarahbeth

I was on Seroquel, 800mg a day for 5 years before I started noticing major changes in my body. I thought my shortness of breath was due to the 40lbs I gained while on it. I was only 36 and a construction worker so when I couldn't hang with the guys any longer, I grew concerned. My doctor ofcouse blamed it on the weight gain.... Thank God I had an elbow injury and my Ortho Doc asked why I had such a rapid heart rate (160 bpm)? I told him I don't know, my doctor never addressed it.
After an EKG came back normal he wanted an answer. So he ordered an Echo I believe, and that came back as Restrictive Diastolic Dysfunction Grade 3.
Now that I am 39 I have noticed that it seems to be progressing rapidly. I am no longer able to work construction, I can not stand the heat or cold, and I get really short of breath easily. I have had to go back to college to get "a desk job".
I believe my Cardiologist had an idea that there was a link between heart failure and Seroquel, because she out of the blue suggested that I find an alternative medicine. I have even lost 27lbs since being off it 8 months, now on Wellbutrin. It took me 6 months just to get through the withdraws, itching was the worst!!! That was with tapering off.
I really feel like my life has been stolen from me. I am only 39 and can't do the things I use to enjoy. I was never told of any heart side effects and I always read the papers that Walgreen's attaches to the perscriptions.
Someone should be held responsible for the damage we are left with. Seroquel should be pulled from the market point blank (This is just my opinion and I am not a medical professional).
If anyone needs someone to talk to, please feel free to respond.

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I too am suffering so many complications from this drug. I took it for almost 15 years. I took me 5 years just to get off it. I had to drop my dosage from 300 so slow or I would be miserable and feel like I was going to die. I couldn’t sleep or work. So I dropped 25 at a time and let it last for months before I dropped again. When I finally was down to what I refer to as a pin dot, I thought I would be okay. I had withdrawals for months after. It has been almost a year in July. I still only sleep 4 hours which is better than nothing. I have not lost any weight due to the fact that it killed my metabolism. I have regular heart and chest pains. When I get too hot I itch everywhere. Under the skin. There’s no satisfying it. Anti histamines only make it worse because when they wear off, your brain thinks it’s seroquel and I chose not to have to keep going through that. I don’t take any allergy meds anymore due to seroquel. My allergies came back full force when I stopped seroquel but I’d rather have them than be on that drug ever again. There was a lawsuit a while back but somehow I wasn’t informed and I missed the deadline. But I truly believe my medical issues are due to the fact I was given this drug. It is unsafe. I always wondered why they kept trying to get me off seroquel and take a new drug they thought would be better for bipolar disorder. But now I see they found out the issues it was giving people and that’s why there were trying to switch me. When I say “they”, I mean the “counselors” and doctor I talked to only through a private Skype session. Thing is, you can’t just switch a drug like that. I tried once and I ended up in the hospital because I thought I was having a heart attack. I wish I could sue them today for ruining my life. I don’t even need these drugs. I needed a good counselor and mental health plan. These people don’t care about us the way they should. They just give you some meds and tell you that you are crazy. I hate I ever took seroquel!!!!

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@anniegk

I am on 200mgs of extended release Seroquel. I was on 300mgs for a year and I was tapered down to 200mgs in March 2018. I had to go on Propranolol for irregular heart beat in June 2018. I am wondering if the Seroquel caused it. I have had irregular heartbeat before Seroquel so it's hard to say. Do you mind if i ask how old are you? I am 72. The Seroquel scares me.

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I was on 400mgs of Seroquel for 8 years. I wasn’t told of side effects. I am bi polar and started having irregular heart beats, and was put on Lorazepam and Metropopol. I am tapering off Seroquel and changing to Latuda. I don’t have irregular heartbeats but I do have a burning sensation under my arm. I now take metropopol twice a day. I wish the heart and burning sensation would go away.

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@tib85

I am going through the same thing, did your heart health change after the discontinuation of seroquel ?

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Yes my heart health drastically changed. It doesn’t help that heart issues are in my family. I am now on blood pressure meds.

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Hi, @pianista, and welcome to Connect. Good that your regular heartbeats are under control now. The burning sensation under your arm sounds bothersome.

You mentioned tapering off Quetiapine (Seroquel) and going on Lurasidone (Latuda). When do you start on the Lurasidone (Latuda)?

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Yes, I have AFiB and a history of heart issues. They
are tapering me off of it and changing to Latuda.
Still have withdrawals after taking for 6 years. I wish I would have done my homework earlier.

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@lisalucier

Hi, @pianista, and welcome to Connect. Good that your regular heartbeats are under control now. The burning sensation under your arm sounds bothersome.

You mentioned tapering off Quetiapine (Seroquel) and going on Lurasidone (Latuda). When do you start on the Lurasidone (Latuda)?

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Thanks for your reply. Why is burning sensation a concern. I had a 3D image and everything was fine. The consensus between Breast Dr,Psych and PCP is anxiety. I have major issues with anxiety. I neglected informing you that I have been on Quetiapine for at least 5years or more. My tapering off is as follows:5/9-5/15 400 mg Seroquel, 20mg Latuda. 5/16-5/22 200mg Seroquel, 40mg Latuda; 5/23-5/29 100 mg Seroquel; 40mg Latuda; 5/30-6/5 50 mg Seroquel; 6/8 60 mg Latuda. I am noting withdrawal symptoms;dizzy, drowsiness, anxiety, memory problems, sometimes confusion sweats. I will see my Psych on June 6. I also will see the Cardio and Breast Dr that week too. I have neglected letting you know I take BP three times a day. Everything normal. I have started walking twice a day.

REPLY
@anniegk

I am on 200mgs of extended release Seroquel. I was on 300mgs for a year and I was tapered down to 200mgs in March 2018. I had to go on Propranolol for irregular heart beat in June 2018. I am wondering if the Seroquel caused it. I have had irregular heartbeat before Seroquel so it's hard to say. Do you mind if i ask how old are you? I am 72. The Seroquel scares me.

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Sorry it took so long to reply, I am 40 now. I was on 800mg daily. I was on Propranolol for awhile, didn't seem to help, until I had an episode where my heart went into a prolonged Q wave. I am now on Metropol and it seems to work better.

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@sarahbeth

I was on Seroquel, 800mg a day for 5 years before I started noticing major changes in my body. I thought my shortness of breath was due to the 40lbs I gained while on it. I was only 36 and a construction worker so when I couldn't hang with the guys any longer, I grew concerned. My doctor ofcouse blamed it on the weight gain.... Thank God I had an elbow injury and my Ortho Doc asked why I had such a rapid heart rate (160 bpm)? I told him I don't know, my doctor never addressed it.
After an EKG came back normal he wanted an answer. So he ordered an Echo I believe, and that came back as Restrictive Diastolic Dysfunction Grade 3.
Now that I am 39 I have noticed that it seems to be progressing rapidly. I am no longer able to work construction, I can not stand the heat or cold, and I get really short of breath easily. I have had to go back to college to get "a desk job".
I believe my Cardiologist had an idea that there was a link between heart failure and Seroquel, because she out of the blue suggested that I find an alternative medicine. I have even lost 27lbs since being off it 8 months, now on Wellbutrin. It took me 6 months just to get through the withdraws, itching was the worst!!! That was with tapering off.
I really feel like my life has been stolen from me. I am only 39 and can't do the things I use to enjoy. I was never told of any heart side effects and I always read the papers that Walgreen's attaches to the perscriptions.
Someone should be held responsible for the damage we are left with. Seroquel should be pulled from the market point blank (This is just my opinion and I am not a medical professional).
If anyone needs someone to talk to, please feel free to respond.

Jump to this post

U know what’s crazy I only took serquel for a short period the first time I took it I felt my heart acting up and had to be rushed to the hospital backing 2010 it’s is now 2019 and I’m having irregular heartbeats and trying to find out now what’s going on with my heart I been back and forward to the cardiologist for years and nobody can seem to tell me what’s going on

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@dreedree45

U know what’s crazy I only took serquel for a short period the first time I took it I felt my heart acting up and had to be rushed to the hospital backing 2010 it’s is now 2019 and I’m having irregular heartbeats and trying to find out now what’s going on with my heart I been back and forward to the cardiologist for years and nobody can seem to tell me what’s going on

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Btw I’m 29 years of age

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Hello I don’t know how long it’s been since these post were made but it’s 2019. Back in 2010 I was given seroqual to help with sleep and depression the first time I took the first dose I felt my heart acting up and I was taken off of the medication. Over the years after that I started having palpitations and shortness of breath and was back and forward out of the hospital trying to figure out why. Now that years have past I’m now getting short winded when I go up a few stairs or when I’m doing simple task around the house. I’ve worn holster monitors to rule out what’s going on and doctors seem to not know why my heart is doing what it’s doing if anybody can give me so encouraging words and opinions on what steps I should take that would be great I’m a 29 year old female that was in good health until I got on meds for mental illness now my life is really bad my heart shouldn’t be acting up at my age and there should be a law suit behind this horrendous pain people are going thru after that drug.

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