I've been taking 25mgs of Quetiapine for sleep mostly. I'm diagnosed bipolar 1. However I don't agree with the diagnosis. I'm also currently on bupropion xl, mirtazapine and lamotrigine. I'm just wondering if I have to taper off of 25mgs of the Quetiapine? Also would like to know I'd anyone uses this low a dose as a mood stabilizer? I've been on these 2 atypical antidepressants for over a year and thinking I am not bipolar as antidepressants are "supposed to" cause mania. Which I haven't switched into.
25mg Quetiapine can be stopped?
Question posted by 2025091971 on 2 days 8 hours ago
Last updated on 15 August 2025
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Answers
WildcatVet
2 days 7 hours ago
Hi!
The SSRI and SNRI have the the POTENTIAL to provoke manic episodes in a small number of users, but less so with the atypicals. I take another antipsychotic (Vraylar) for Bipolar l along with lamotrigine and bupropion (actually Aplenzin). I don't take mirtazapine as I don't need it for sleep which is a beneficial side effect. I also no longer take quetiapine for sleep and it was not effective for me for my Bipolar l. The mirtazapine must not affect you as such which would explain why you're also taking the quetiapine. 25mg seems more like a dose for sleep than as a treatment for Bipolar whose maintenance dose is 400-800mg/day. Besides you're also taking lamotrigine which is a standard mood stabilizer.
But I'm not a doctor, I'm just speaking from my own experience. Everybody responds differently to medications so what's working for me may not work well for you.
I don't know why you don't feel you're Bipolar so it sounds like you might need a good sit-down talk with your doctor.
Best regards and I hope you find your best solution.
Wildcat
2025091971
2 days 6 hours ago
Thank you for your reply. I did not know that about the atypical antidepressants.
I had been on paxil previously for over 25 years before my diagnosis 4 years ago. The reason I don't believe I'm bipolar for a few reasons. One that I was on paxil only for so many years. 2- I had been using high thc when I had my episode. Also 10 years prior also cannabis use with my first manic episode. Antipsychotics got me of both episodes but the first time I was put right back on paxil alone and went 10 years with no episode. They have not wanted to put me back on paxil after the last episode and I have been in a severe depression since. So have been trying to get back on it. When I first got on bupropion it sent me to the er with si, panic attacks. Then mirtazapine was added. I don't function at all on antipsychotics. So I agreed to try lamotrigine. So far it is going well with the titration. My depression is so much better. I'm only at 37.5mg with a target dose of 100mgs.
However my psychiatrist said I could stop at whatever dose I feel is good for me. He has me tapering of mirtazapine. It doesn't help much with sleep, but sure makes me hungry. Also said to take the Quetiapine as needed or just stop it. It does not help much with sleep either. I get 5 to 6 hours of sleep nighly. My goal is to get to a thereputic dose of lamotrigine and paxil if needed and get off the other 3.
WildcatVet
2 days 6 hours ago
I've been on lamotrigine for years and it's been very helpful. I was on the gold standard lithium but got toxic twice and that's the end of that ballgame... two strikes and you're out. So my current cocktail, after doing much juggling around, is working well. A heck of a lot better than a hospital stay!
Hang in there! It'll all work out!
Related topics
bipolar disorder, bupropion, lamotrigine, mirtazapine, quetiapine, sleep, diagnosis
Further information
- Bupropion uses and warnings
- Lamotrigine uses and warnings
- Mirtazapine uses and warnings
- Quetiapine uses and warnings
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