Getting off of Seroquel

Posted by anniegk @anniegk, Jun 8, 2018

I have been on 300 mgs. Seroquel ER for over a year for augmenting my antidepressant which is 45 mgs. Of Mirtazapine. I decided to try and get off of the Seroquel. I was on 300mgs ER (extended release). I titrated down to 250 mg ER for 2 months without too many problems.than i titrated down to 200mgs ER just 5 days ago. My plan is to try to titrate off using ER tablets. My thinking is that perhaps the drug will remove its self from my system more gradually. I have had some nausea and a couple of episodes of diarrhea. I also have a very irregular heart beat and was started on 60 mgs of Propranolol ER (extended release) 4 weeks ago. It seems to be helping my heartbeat. I have wondered if the nausea and light headness is from the Propranolol, a Beta Blocker, or the dose reduction of the Seroquel. I also wonder if the way iam titrating the Seroquel is safe. My doctor says it will only take a couple of weeks...I think that is too fast of a taper after being on a drug for over a year. What do you think?

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@seanf

I've been on seroquel now for over 5 years. At the time I was hospitalized for depression. Over the last few years I've been coming down off it gradually. I am now on 25 milligrams which is the lowest dose available in my country. Over the last few days I've been trying to com off it completely by skipping my dose every second night. Unfortunately when I stop taking the medication I find it nearly impossible to sleep. I'm not really sure what to do, I don't want to stay on medication forever . The tablet is too small to cut in half.

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I'm not a doctor but I've used promethazine 50mg when I couldn't sleep. It's a medication prescribed for nausea but it also doubles as a sleep aid. As with any new medication talk to your doc, make sure you're ok to be taking promethazine.

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@lovelife57

My Doctors' nurse just told me that because Im on a low dose of Seroquel I could taper off of it within a week. ( I have been taking 100mg.for 2 years for anxiety and insomnia due to anxiety.... ) From what I'm reading, it seems that this is too fast. I started 75 mg. 2 nights ago...I have a slight headache today, and she told me I could go down to 50mg. And then in a couple days down to 25mg. And then a couple days later to zero. Does this sound correct? Can anyone help me with this? I want to be off of it so bad that I am ready to move off fast. I don't take any other meds at all. Now after reading comments and replies I am not sure what to do.

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Hi, @lovelife - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can see how that would be confusing if what your doctor said seems to conflict with what you have read.

Here is some Mayo Clinic information on quetiapine (Seroquel) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/quetiapine-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20066912?p=1

I would suggest a couple of things:
1) Check back in with your doctor or a nurse handling phone calls at your doctor's office and mention what you have read and your concerns, then see if they suggest any further slowing or the schedule you've been given
2) Check with your local pharmacist for his or her opinion

How have your symptoms been the last couple of days?

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Does anyone know if you can cut Seroquel XR tablets in half. My nurse wants me to start lowering my dosage by half.

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@lisalucier

Hi, @lovelife - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can see how that would be confusing if what your doctor said seems to conflict with what you have read.

Here is some Mayo Clinic information on quetiapine (Seroquel) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/quetiapine-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20066912?p=1

I would suggest a couple of things:
1) Check back in with your doctor or a nurse handling phone calls at your doctor's office and mention what you have read and your concerns, then see if they suggest any further slowing or the schedule you've been given
2) Check with your local pharmacist for his or her opinion

How have your symptoms been the last couple of days?

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Thank you so very mich for sending me this information. I read it fully
and it has really helped me. Take care and God Bless.

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@daphnesioux

Does anyone know if you can cut Seroquel XR tablets in half. My nurse wants me to start lowering my dosage by half.

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Hi, @daphnesioux - just wanted to let you know I moved your post here to this discussion, "Getting off of Seroquel," where others were discussing similar issues to what you posted about.

About cutting the tablets in half as you lower your dosage, did the nurse let you know if she wanted you to cut them or if she or he was asking the prescribing doctor to change the prescription?

A pharmacist would also be a good resource on this.

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@lisalucier

Hi, @daphnesioux - just wanted to let you know I moved your post here to this discussion, "Getting off of Seroquel," where others were discussing similar issues to what you posted about.

About cutting the tablets in half as you lower your dosage, did the nurse let you know if she wanted you to cut them or if she or he was asking the prescribing doctor to change the prescription?

A pharmacist would also be a good resource on this.

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You cannot cut Seroquel XR in half, I know this for sure. If it wasn't XR, then you could. Best regards

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After reading the posts I am wondering why folks are tapering themselves off of Quetiapine?
Seems dangerous without Dr expertise and creates unnecessary suffering. I am about to start taper according to Dr instructions and hoping to avoid side effects

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Hi my name is Morgan and I've been going to through the same thing that you have pretty much I am prescribed on Seroquel alprazolam propranolol and that's it my Seroquel is said at 300 mg my alprazolam is 1 mg a day so a 45 pill and my propranolol is 20 mg and 90 pills so I've been trying to get off of my Seroquel I can't stand it to made me gain over a hundred 180 lb in a year no joke so I'm thinking about using my alprazolam to help me get off of my Seroquel cold turkey tonight
I took my 300 mg Seroquel and haft it two times so I took that and then I took 4 mg of alprazolam my tolerance is extremely high so I don't get all loopy or have problems with it I'm just wondering if
the alprazolam help me with my withdrawal through my Seroquel? PLEASE HELP

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@lovelife57

You cannot cut Seroquel XR in half, I know this for sure. If it wasn't XR, then you could. Best regards

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My doctor told me I can cut it in half

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