darciefre...I was prescribed Seroquel XR for sleep about two weeks ago. I was started on 50mg, then 100mg, then 150mg. After being on 150mg for a few nights, I began waking in the night to eat and drink. I've gained weight and wake up swollen in the am. I decided to spit the dosage of Seroquel by breaking the 150mg pill in half. Does anyone know if it's ok to break the 150mg capsules? I tried it last night but was still up in the night, dying of thirst and craving sugar. Is this the pre-diabetic rxn to the medication? I had a similar but not as exaggerated experience on remeron.
Splitting Seroquel 150 mg?
- Posted:
- 17 Apr 2011 by darciefrench
- Topics:
- seroquel, seroquel xr, bipolar disorder, insomnia, sleep disorders, sleep
Details:
Answers (7)
pledge17 Apr 2011
Hello darciefrench. I hope that your symptons are less. I agree with Rajive, not recommened splitting capsules. I am curious, because I was on seroquel for some years, but no longer am. And also remeron. But again no longer. I'll stick to the seroquel. Hope you don't mind a question, you said that you began seroquel two weeks ago. It was only when your dose went up to 150mg that you began wakeing up in the night with the munchies as I call them :-0) and drinking fluids. Meaning, you had no symptons before? Because, the seroquel was in your system before you started the 150mg, which says to me, its possible that the medication is not possibly reacting well to your body. I think that you might contact your dr. or pharmacist, and ask thier advice. Oh, and you betcha! Munchies, big time when I was on seroquel. My dose was 300mg. I had to change my medication, dropped the seroquel, because of the cost.
bipolar4l...17 Apr 2011
Hi
i am not saying it is right to do but my friend neighbor splits it all the time. I would call your pharmacy and of ourse your doc. It is a side effect the weight gain like with most nneds that we take. But the seroquel sorry to say is the one that is very hard to stay away from the sugar if u just started it and already having these symptoms i would call pdoc
lol always janymak
darciefrench
17 Apr 2011
I've taken two halves of a 150mg pill for two nights now. The first night was a little better but was still up. The 2nd night I ate some cheese and crackers before bed and that seemed to help- either that or I got the lesser of the dosage. I find I am hooped as soon as I eat sugar, if I can avoid sugar altogether the seroquel doesn't seem to trigger such hard to cope with cravings.
LaurieShay17 Apr 2011
Hey darciefrench,
As the Seroquell comes in a tablet (not trully a capsule per say) that is not controlled release, you should be ok BUT it is best to consult your doctor about the problems you are having. The swollenness and weight gain as well as the cravings need to be addressed.
Give the doctor's office a call and let them know of the problems you are having, the doctor needs to make the final deicision on the dosage regimen for you.
Best wishes,
Laurie
darciefrench
17 Apr 2011
Yes, I did call and let the mental health worker know about the side effects and what I was going to do with the self dosing. I live out of town so am not currently in a position to get pills at lesser dosages, so the splitting was a compromise I came up with until I can get into town. The seroquel does help with the suicidal ideation (fantasizing about death as a release from the mania) because it seems to help the muscles relax. So I do want to see if I can get to a dosage that helps with the sleep and pain problems. I'm ok with trying different medications and/or dosages.
LaurieShay
17 Apr 2011
Hey darciefrench,
I miss read your origianl post and overlooked the fact that the seroquell you have is XR. As it is extended release, you should not split the pills. Try to take as prescribed until you can get to town and talk to the doctor about reducing the dosage. Since the seroquell seems to be helping the suicidal ideation, then keep taking it. You may have to keep a glass of juice or whatever beside the bed, but that isn't so bad. The swollenness you speak of, on the other hand, is not something you want to overlook. Let the doctor know what is going on.
Good luck with the new med and your positive attitude will help tremendously,
Laurie
maso416917 Apr 2011
Hello,
I also take seroquel xr for many years.-
You mention you were prescribed Seroquel XR (extended realease)... the extended release version must never be cut , crushed or chewed, the reason is that too much of the drug may be realeased destroying the long action of it and this may increase the risk of experiencing side effects.-
All the best and take care.-
LaurieShay
17 Apr 2011
Yep Maso is right, if it is the Seroquell XR then it is controlled release and you should NOT spilt the pills.
Springer1017 Apr 2011
This same problem happened for me with Seroquel 150mg. I was craving sugary foods late at night too. So I made myself WD from them, but do not recommend that on one's own.
If you must take a neuroleptic, Geodon is a better drug. There are no food cravings of any sort, and it doesn't mess with one's metabolism. When I took them I was knocked out cold, and stayed that way through the night.
Splitting the Seroquel is not recommended. Speak with your doc about Geodon, and do a little research to see if it is a drug you may want to try instead.
Good luck,
Dave
darciefrench
17 Apr 2011
I'll bring this up at my next pdoc appointment, thanks. I haven't tried Geodon yet. I am willing to try different things to get help for the symptoms I have. Many thanks.
bipolar4life
19 Apr 2011
(((dave))) i agree with u about switching Geodon is a goods med i was on it for a while with no cravings nor weight gain
lol janymak
JeffreyMa...10 Dec 2011
Hi darcie, its hard to break capsules in half and get equal amounts of medication,it would probably be better to have the dose lowered. I take the 100mg tab and I also have broke them in half. It is nice to know I'm not the only one who wakes up craving suger and something to drink.
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