1. < Depression & Anxiety

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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Parus | @parus | Dec 17, 2019
In reply to @mia001 "I’m currently taking Quetiapine (also known as Seroquel) 100mg each night. I have depression and anxiety..." + (show)
@mia001

I’m currently taking Quetiapine (also known as Seroquel) 100mg each night. I have depression and anxiety but it’s supposed to help me sleep.

I just had an appointment with a psychiatrist referred by my doctor. He seems pushy and I don’t like or trust him. He wants me to quit Quetiapine.

I want to stop taking it because I think the recent dosage increase has caused suicidal thoughts. Should I just go cold turkey? Can Quetiapine make me more suicidal? Will quitting make me more suicidal?

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@mia001 I have read your post in self-harm. Did your family doctor or the psychiatrist put you on Seroquel? You need to speak with the prescribing physician as I am not qualified to advise you. Only a doctor can do thus.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 17, 2019
In reply to @mia001 "I’m currently taking Quetiapine (also known as Seroquel) 100mg each night. I have depression and anxiety..." + (show)
@mia001

I’m currently taking Quetiapine (also known as Seroquel) 100mg each night. I have depression and anxiety but it’s supposed to help me sleep.

I just had an appointment with a psychiatrist referred by my doctor. He seems pushy and I don’t like or trust him. He wants me to quit Quetiapine.

I want to stop taking it because I think the recent dosage increase has caused suicidal thoughts. Should I just go cold turkey? Can Quetiapine make me more suicidal? Will quitting make me more suicidal?

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Hello @mia001

It is not a good idea to withdraw from any medication like Seroquel "cold turkey." You need to contact your doctor or pharmacist regarding developing a titration schedule for withdrawal. They will advise you on how to safely withdraw from this medication. Please consult your prescribing doctor about the appropriate schedule for your needs.

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Mia001 | @mia001 | Dec 17, 2019
In reply to @mia001 "I’m currently taking Quetiapine (also known as Seroquel) 100mg each night. I have depression and anxiety..." + (show)
@mia001

I’m currently taking Quetiapine (also known as Seroquel) 100mg each night. I have depression and anxiety but it’s supposed to help me sleep.

I just had an appointment with a psychiatrist referred by my doctor. He seems pushy and I don’t like or trust him. He wants me to quit Quetiapine.

I want to stop taking it because I think the recent dosage increase has caused suicidal thoughts. Should I just go cold turkey? Can Quetiapine make me more suicidal? Will quitting make me more suicidal?

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@parus @hopeful33250 Thankyou for your replies.Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you both! I am continuing on 100mg quetiapine at the moment. I have spoken with a Community Health psychiatrist who recommended I stay on the quetiapine at the moment. He agreed that withdrawing abruptly is not a good idea!

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claireuk | @claireuk | Dec 17, 2019
In reply to @mia001 "I’m currently taking Quetiapine (also known as Seroquel) 100mg each night. I have depression and anxiety..." + (show)
@mia001

I’m currently taking Quetiapine (also known as Seroquel) 100mg each night. I have depression and anxiety but it’s supposed to help me sleep.

I just had an appointment with a psychiatrist referred by my doctor. He seems pushy and I don’t like or trust him. He wants me to quit Quetiapine.

I want to stop taking it because I think the recent dosage increase has caused suicidal thoughts. Should I just go cold turkey? Can Quetiapine make me more suicidal? Will quitting make me more suicidal?

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I'm on day 2 of seroquel withdrawal, the best way to do it so I've heard is to taper off, slowly , I have bipolar 1 effective dissorder and have been hospitalised with s horrific psychotic episode , they put me on olsnzopine then switched it. I went in the hospital a UK dress size 8 (us 4) and came out a UK dress size 14 (us 10), I was having like siezures and blackouts but the doc basically told me to f off, still 155lb but I do martial arts almost every day, so am fit at this weight, but it's not glam. Lol the restless legs are from hell, they're in my legs, arms, head even a few times. I'm suplimenting my withdrawal with 5htp, magnesium threonate, the only magnesium that crosses the blood brain barrier x I'm getting some melatonin too soon and a product called niacinamide, which I have on order which apparently acts on benzo receptors, and oh yeah, actual benzos lol, the benzos I feel are my safety net to not slipping back into psycosis until hopefully the niacinamide arrives and hopefully does what it says on the tin, I feel like quetiapine is shortening my lifespan for some reason and I just wanna fall into a natural sleep. The sleep deprivation is the worst though x

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1 reply
Mia001 | @mia001 | Dec 17, 2019

I’m currently taking Quetiapine (also known as Seroquel) 100mg each night. I have depression and anxiety but it’s supposed to help me sleep.

I just had an appointment with a psychiatrist referred by my doctor. He seems pushy and I don’t like or trust him. He wants me to quit Quetiapine.

I want to stop taking it because I think the recent dosage increase has caused suicidal thoughts. Should I just go cold turkey? Can Quetiapine make me more suicidal? Will quitting make me more suicidal?

REPLY
5 replies
deb4444 | @deb4444 | Dec 27, 2019
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hello @highserotonin30, Welcome to Connect. I moved your message and combined it with this existing discussion..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hello @highserotonin30,

Welcome to Connect. I moved your message and combined it with this existing discussion as I thought it would be beneficial for you to meet others and read about their experiences while weaning off Seroquel.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.

When you withdraw from any medication, there are important factors that will influence your withdrawal. it is highly recommended to do a gradual taper with the help of a physician to allow your body and brain to slowly adjust to changes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/quetiapine-oral-route/description/drg-20066912

I’m tagging @derryman @whereveryougothereyouare @majic @ronlin1948 @jancer2017 @ginak523 who’ve also shared their experiences about Seroquel in these discussion:
– Seroquel for anxiety, social anxiety & PTSD https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/seroquel-for-anxiety-ptsd/
– anything about being on SEROQUEL? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/seraquel/

May I ask if you could share your reasons for wanting to quit, @highserotonin30?

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Does anyone know anything about liquid Seroquel. Is it easier to taper off. Also are there any medications to offset the insomnia with Seroquel tablets.

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1 reply
diannelk | @diannelk | Dec 30, 2019
In reply to @deb4444 "Does anyone know anything about liquid Seroquel. Is it easier to taper off. Also are there..." + (show)
@deb4444

Does anyone know anything about liquid Seroquel. Is it easier to taper off. Also are there any medications to offset the insomnia with Seroquel tablets.

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I’m sorry I don’t have answers to your questions. Just wondering if you take Seroquel first thing in the morning when you arise? Have you discussed this dose with your prescribing doctor recently? Liquid may be easier to taper in the fact that you can see the small gradations in the medicine cup, and really move slowly and gradually? Wishing you the best, and a Happy new year.

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Dec 30, 2019
In reply to @mia001 "I’m currently taking Quetiapine (also known as Seroquel) 100mg each night. I have depression and anxiety..." + (show)
@mia001

I’m currently taking Quetiapine (also known as Seroquel) 100mg each night. I have depression and anxiety but it’s supposed to help me sleep.

I just had an appointment with a psychiatrist referred by my doctor. He seems pushy and I don’t like or trust him. He wants me to quit Quetiapine.

I want to stop taking it because I think the recent dosage increase has caused suicidal thoughts. Should I just go cold turkey? Can Quetiapine make me more suicidal? Will quitting make me more suicidal?

Jump to this post

@mia001
Most importantly DO NOT stop cold turkey. As far as suicidal idealizations are concerned it’s very individualized, I doubt anyone can answer that question. I don’t believe even a physician can accurately answer how it will affect you. Although generally if Seroquel is going to cause this problem it normally happens in the beginning of treatment, at least that’s what my friends psychiatrist said.
I take seizure medication and in the past have taken 30 pills a day of five different Anticonvulsants which are notorious for suicide idealizations. I never had that effect in the 52 years I’ve taken them.
Seroquel is an Antipsychotic not a sleeping medicine. The risks of using Seroquel as a low dose sleep medication is not recommended by the manufacturer or experts. It can cause various side effects including,
Increased systolic & diastolic blood pressure
Increased body mass index
weight
fasting blood glucose increase
Decrease total cholesterol
My friend has Seroquel induced Diabetes
I can understand you taking Seroquel if Antidepressants aren’t controlling your depression but it should not be used as a first line medication to induce sleep.
REMEMBER, REDUCE SLOWLY!!!
Best of luck,
Jake

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carolxi | @carolxi | Jan 2, 2020

I've been on seroquel for depression and anxiety since about 2010. Started with 500 mg, gradually my doctor dropped it to 6.25 mg for sleep ( have to bite the 25 mg tabs into 4). I also take two 5mg sublinox to sleep. Three nights ago, I quit the 6.25 seroquel and trying 1 mg clonazepam with the sublinox. Last night was hard getting to sleep, but once asleep I seem to be ok. Has anyone gone this route?
PS: I tried just the sublinox about 4 mths ago and went thru 3 nights of hell.

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1 reply
ainsleigh | @ainsleigh | Jan 2, 2020
In reply to @carolxi "I've been on seroquel for depression and anxiety since about 2010. Started with 500 mg, gradually..." + (show)
@carolxi

I've been on seroquel for depression and anxiety since about 2010. Started with 500 mg, gradually my doctor dropped it to 6.25 mg for sleep ( have to bite the 25 mg tabs into 4). I also take two 5mg sublinox to sleep. Three nights ago, I quit the 6.25 seroquel and trying 1 mg clonazepam with the sublinox. Last night was hard getting to sleep, but once asleep I seem to be ok. Has anyone gone this route?
PS: I tried just the sublinox about 4 mths ago and went thru 3 nights of hell.

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@carolxi- You can get little pill cutters at the pharmacy if you wish.
Best wishes Ainsleigh

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