Does Seroquel make you more drowsy thoughout the day?
Does Seroquel help symptoms for glioblastoma brain cancer?
Question posted by mjanissen on 8 Sep 2023
Last updated on 13 September 2023
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Answers
I take Seroquel (quetiapine) the IR formulation (immediate release) and yes, this antipsychotic will make you drowsy and very sleepy, although everyone reacts to medications differently.
Somnolence is considered a very common side effect affecting up to 57% of patients and sedation up to 18.3%.
With regards to your symptoms specifically with the loss of appetite, weight gain is considered a very common side effect affecting up to 54% of people being treated with Seroquel.
Now, your other symptoms, I am not a medical professional, and most likely they will not improve, for example blurred vision (to name one), I experience it sometimes when waking up and for me it lasts about 45 minutes and it is a very common side effect, also vomiting is a very common side effect, I mean all these are potential side effects that must be listed by the Pharmaceutical Co. to protect itself for not informing patients what they may experience, it does not mean one will experience them all, it is to avoid potential lawsuits.
I do not know if you have ever taken this type of medication, but antipsychotics make one tired some people can not handle it, again everyone is different, not trying to scare you just being realistic and speaking from experience.
I have been on Seroquel since I was 34 y/o, I am 54 y/o now, and it has been a great medication for me. I must say it has been hard, specially at the beginning to control my appetite, being sleepy and tired all the time, but in time I did manage to deal with this very potent medication and side effects, I eat very healthy and exercise 5 days a week.
Also hyperglycemia is a known side effect of antipsychotics one has to watch out for and have blood work done every few months.
The bottom line is that this is a great medication for some, it is not for everyone and in my opinion and after being on this medication for 20 years for bipolar disorder, yes it may help you gain weight and will most likely make you sleepy and tired but will not truly help you with your symptoms.
I am not being negative or trying to scare you. I know what the symptoms Glioblastoma are and being realistic, this is not the medication for you.
"The dismal prognosis of GBM highlights the urgent requirement for the development of drugs with novel mechanisms of action. Of all the classes of drugs that affect brain function, antipsychotics have the longest history of clinical use, and comprise some of the most frequently prescribed drugs in the world. A growing body of evidence suggests that several antipsychotics display significant anti-neoplastic effects on multiple human cancers. For example, valproic acid attenuates cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting HDACs. Therefore, antipsychotic drugs may represent strong candidates for chemotherapeutic adjuvants in the treatment of GBM due to their clinically proven safety and accumulation in the brain, along with their anti-neoplastic efficacy.
One potential concern with the use of antipsychotics in cancer treatment is the possibility of unexpected adverse effects. Despite their long history of clinical application and a reliable safety profile, typical and atypical antipsychotics are known to cause a wide range of side-effects (104). The majority of antipsychotics induce CNS side-effects, such as sedation, headaches, dizziness and diarrhea in up to 50% of patients (105). More seriously, the extrapyramidal side-effects of typical antipsychotic drugs, including akathisia, dystonia and drug-induced secondary Parkinsonism, may prevent their chronic use (71). Second-generation atypical antipsychotics can also cause metabolic problems, such as obesity and type II diabetes (106). Thus, optimization of drug structures may be required to avoid adverse side-effects if the anti-tumorigenic effect of a given drug is proven."
Source: National Library of Medicine
National Center for Biotechnology Information
BTW, Seroquel is a 2nd generation atypical antipsychotic.
Hi Masso you mentioned something about blurred vision while at Seroquel. How you dealing with it? I also at 50 mg about 15 years. I’m been several eyesight specialist and they said no problem with eyes. Will you please let me hear your opinion.
Hello Alcon, blurred vision is, as you know a side effect from Seroquel, there is really not much to do with it. As I mentioned when I just wake up I experience it and it lasts about 30 to 45 minutes that I can't properly focus my eyesight, I just accept it for the past 20 years, and as I awaken more it tends to go away on its own and during the day I don't have any problems at all, just be careful and don't leave your home until you can properly see, that's all I can advice you do.
I've been to the Ophthalmologist too and no problem whatsoever.
Yes, there is growing evidence of the value of certain antipsychotic medications, including Seroquel,(quetiapine) as adjunct therapy in managing glios.
"In short, based on various preclinical and clinical studies, anti-psychotic drugs hold substantial therapeutic value not only in the modulation of psychotic symptoms and seizures, but more importantly, as potential anti-neoplastic and adjuvant agents in glioma management. Hence, extensive preclinical and clinical studies would further strengthen the evidence of their therapeutic efficacy and repurpose their use in human glioma management."
"Very common (10% or more of users): SOMNOLENCE (up to 53%), SEDATION (up to 31.9%), dizziness (up to 18%), headache (up to 17.5%), extrapyramidal symptoms (up to 11.2%)"
Best regards and I hope this information is helpful.
Related topics
seroquel, brain tumor, cancer, brain, symptom
Further information
- Seroquel uses and safety info
- Seroquel prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Seroquel (detailed)
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