Hi! New to this... I am 1-2 times per week taking Seroquel for sleep, dosage 25-50 mg. Works fine for me. I used to take the same amount with Olanzapine but found the drowziness and apetite increase to be much tougher for that compared to Seroquel. Would you say it is "safe" to use Seroquel as I do if I keep track on my weight, blood glucose, cholesterol etc and make sure my levels are OK?
Safe with low dose Seroquel if keeping track on weight?
Question posted by Tobbelu74 on 25 March 2021
Last updated on 10 May 2021
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Answers
Hi, Tobbelu!
Bravo! Sounds as if you plan to take great care in having your levels monitored for any metabolic changes.
Olanzepine is a notorious medication for weight gain. It may affect about 90% of users whereas Seroquel might cause weight gain in about 10% of adult patients.
As masso said, diet and exercise will help to offset potential weight gain.
Since you're using a low dose only occasionally it should be reasonably safe for you.
I've been taking Seroquel (quetiapine) 100mg/day for about a year now with no problems. My psychiatrist orders period blood work to be sure.
Thank you! Did not know that the difference between Olanzapine and Seroquel was that big but I can assure you that the increased hunger that comes with Olanzapine is massive, even at low doses..
I know! I ate like a piggie and gained 25lbs on olanzepine. Thank goodness for the newer generation of this type of medication!
Take care,
So you would say that Seroquel is a newer form of med compared to Olanzapine? One more question... I notice that 50 mg of Seroquel gives me the best sleep, never failed. Trying 25 mg some night do not give the same effect. Is that strange that the difference is so big?
While both olanzapine (Zyprexa) and Seroquel (quetiapine) are second generation medications Seroquel is considered to have less in the way of side effects (except for drowsiness).
Everyone responds differently to this type of drug and it may be that 50mg is the therapeutic dose you need. It's also the usual recommended dose for sleep. Remember that 25mg is only half of your current dosage.
Sleep tight!
Thank you. I guess I am staring too much on sideeffects... I was on Olanzapine for 6-8 months a couple of years ago, 2,5 mg, for sleep. I remember that I felt very well except a few pounds extra. Measuring my blood levels and they were just fine so I guess I should not be too afraid to take Seroquel for a couple of months if it makes me feel good?
There is no drug, even aspirin, that's entirely without potential side effects. Seroquel has the potential to cause certain side effects with long term use so your doctor will monitor you closely and want to do occasional blood work to determine that your metabolic levels are normal.
I've been on Seroquel for some time without any problems but I do have periodic med checks and blood work done. I also watch my weight but so far so good.
WC.
Hi again! Hope you all are fine. 2 things that came in to my mind...
1) Is it the weight gain itself that causes the potential rise in blood glucose, cholesterol etc or is it so that there is an increases risk of this because of the meds itself, even if keeping your weight? Weight gain in general is of course no good for your blood levels but all research I read seem to be a bit unclear about if it really is the meds that alter your levels or if it is the weight gain that does it...
2) For me it seems as if Seroquel has a great effect on anxiety, which then affects my sleep very positive. I have not had insomnia issues in my entire life, it is the anxiety for a few years back, in periods, that causes some problem. However then, I feel so my better with 25-50 mg Seroquel daily - is it your opinion that it can help very good for anxiety (a lot of research says so)? I used to take Zoloft for a few months but did not like it, I did not feel "myself". Again, everyone is different and reacts differently... Thanks
It's all too complicated! Yes, weight gain can cause diabetes. But there may be other factors involved. There is a thought that people may have a genetic predisposition to developing weight gain on most antipsychotics... in other words some people will and others won't. There is also the possibility that certain other metabolic changes can lead to insulin resistance in some people.
For us I think it has to be a matter of dietary changes if increased appetite or carb cravings develop and being sure to have the blood work done to monitor glucose and other metabolic levels. And, of course, working closely with your doctor.
BTW, are you taking the IR or XR/XL form?
Anyway, I would also have to say that it definitely has had a positive effect on my anxiety issues... I mean helping to relieve them and I'm certainly sleeping much better.
Hi Wildcat!
Thanks... yes, it seems to be a bit unclear ( i have read ALOT of reports on the issue:-) I take IR version and it works good. I would say that I have 1 hour in the morning feeling a little bit slow but that is it. When I took Olanzapine it lasted until after lunch.
Me too! I feel just a bit zombiefied for an hour or so after I wake up. But it's worth it and a couple cups of coffee usually do the trick.
Have anyone tried XR version compared to IR version? Differences? In Sweden we do not have 50 mg IR version, only XR, so it means two 25 mg for me.
I've been using the XR formulation since I started taking quetiapine (Seroquel). The only real difference is that the XR form is released more slowly and so stays in your system a little bit longer.
BTW, how are you sleeping now? I sleep through the night and no longer feel groggy in the morning like I did when I first started it. Wonderful!
Hi Wildcat!
So you are on xr now? Is it as sedating? Feel more groggy in the morning? In general I sleep very well on it. I think I need to take it on a frequent base though for a couple of months in order to be more "stabile". Now I take it a few days a week and then I tell myself to quit and then I get a bad night etc and it goes on and on. I think it is wise to be frequent for a while since I understand that the anxiety reduction comes over period as well? Not judge myself for taking it for a while... I felt very well back in 2018 after taking Olanzapine for 8 straight months, every night. Made med confident.
Hi again!
So I guess my question regarding these meds also is if they are considered to be good for mood and anxiety taking a low dose periodly, meaning every night for ex 6-12 months? I can read that after a week or so it builds up and has a "positive" effect. I am a bit tired of going up and down and feel it could be wise to try it out, even good days, for a longer period. Doing so I believe that I can feel good/sleep good every day. That is what happened during my 8 months w Olanzapine a couple of years ago, and then I got of it for over a year.
Hi! Do you think xr version is ’better’ than ir version for my purpose? Do you feel any difference?
Take care
I think Seroquel can be taken as needed for sleep because you're looking for the immediate side effect (in this case a beneficial side effect). But for mental disorders it probably needs to be taken on a regular basis.
I take it for Bipolar ll depression so I take it every night long term and I use the XR formulation. When I initially was taking it for sleep only I still took the XR.
Can't say which is better because it depends on what you're taking it for and how you respond to it. My psychiatrist prescribed it that way and she must have had a reason I guess.
Sorry this wasn't of much help, was it?
Hope you are fine. I have now been taking 50 mg every night for 3 weeks. I feel really well and no increased apetite, hangover etc. It feels as if it for me has Good effects on anxiety and sleep lounger term and my ambition is therefor to continue. Why let myself feel bad from Time to time if this formula really helps me to a much better life?
Great news!!! I hope your success will continue throughout your journey to health.
Just out of interest... Has anyone tried Remeron(Mirtazapine) as an alternative for anxiety/sleep? I believe it has the same potential side effects as seroquel and as long seroquel is working for me I am not changing... just interested:-)
I've never used it but a girlfriend swears by it except for the 15lb weight gain. She says she'll live with it because it works so well for her otherwise.
Like you, I'll stick with my Seroquel.
Take care, my friend!
Yes, if you monitor how the medication is affecting your organism and have blood work done regularly, eat a healthy diet and if you can exercise you will be fine. Antipsychotics tend to alter your blood sugar.
I take Seroquel , 400mgs., I have kept my weight as I eat a hypocaloric diet and exercise daily, check my blood sugar, and have been on it for 20 plus years.
Many thanks. Yes, I have been on olanzapine or Seroquel low dose for sleep in periods for 4 years and my bloodsugar levels are normal as well as all different cholesterol levels. I measure it about twice a year. I exercise about 3-4 times a week, have a normal weight and BMI of 23. So is it so that you can say that it is primarly the weight gain itself that can cause metabolic problems, not the medication itself ( no one really seems to have a clear answer to that..) ? I weigh 12.4 stones and am 6 ft tall.
Perfect, many thanks. All my blood glucose levels and cholesterol levels are OK and I will keep track of it a couple of times a year. I am 6 ft tall, 12.4 stone and exercise, primarly tennis, 3-4 times a week.
Many thanks. Would you say it is a good idea to monitor blood sugar levels at home every month or so? ANything else about the medicine that is "bad". I have read a lot of stuff... but to be honest it is great for letting tensions/anxiety go and give you a very nice sleep when I need it. At least for me..
Yes, it would be beneficial to check your glucose levels every month. You are on a low dose so I believe you will not gain weight, remember though, everyone reacts to medications in different ways, but again with such low dose you will be fine.
I would not say the medication has bad things, but as all medications there are potential side effects, risks, interactions, etc..
Most importantly if it is doing a good job for you that is fantastic, some people have had bad experiences, but again, we are all different so yes, if you are ok with it keep using it.
So you are aware of possible side effects i leave you with a link from this site with potential side effects:
Once again, many thanks for your answers, it is highly appreciated. The funny thing with meds is that how different it works on people. Magic on some... disaster for some. Even though you can read articles saying Seroquel is not a sleeping pill, it seems to have great effects on that for a lot of people, which of course is so helpful.
All best, Tobbelu
You are welcome.
Although is not a sleeping pill, it is prescribed off-label for insomnia/sleep disorders at a low dose like you.
And of course what may work for you may not work for other people.
Hi masso!
Hope you are fine (are u in the US?, I am from Sweden... ). It is nice to hear that you are feeling fine and being able to control Seroquel for over 20 years and keeping weight and also I assume your blood levels. That means that it is to some extent a "safe" drug to use continually if you take care of yourself and keep monitoring your body... Sometimes I believe it is wise for me to use the drug for say 2-3 months in a row to find stability and dont be afraid of doing so. Now I am a lot upanddown on a weekly basis:-)
Take care
I am from Chile.
One must be responsible for oneself, many people have bad experiences not just with Seroquel, but with all sorts of medications, as you know everyone is different and it is a trial an error with meds and the right combination of medications.
Related topics
seroquel, sleep disorders, olanzapine, sleep, weight, dosage, sleep disorder
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