Quetiapine for Depression User Reviews (Page 4)

• Som...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 6, 2017

"First of all, for all the people writing reviews that haven't been on this drug for at least 4-6 weeks, your reviews are almost invalid. This drug is as two-faced as many make it out to be, and for those people, they just aren't giving it enough time to see both sides of it. I have been on and off Seroquel for a few years now and am currently taking 150 mg at night for the past 3 months. It helped with anxiety and sleep, which was great! I was less intimidated and anxious at school and with friends. However, it seriously affected my mood, constantly shifting from agitated to blunted, my concentration, my dreams, weight, and eventually, over the course of about six weeks, caused one of the most serious relapses in my depression in years. Be careful!"

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2020

"Asked my psychiatrist not to prescribe me these for antidepressants because I had them as sleeping pills in a smaller dose when I was younger and became addicted to it. Could not sleep without multiple pills. They did not listen and gave me it for depression, and it’s been months now because they said I had to give it a long try, and I’m miserable. I feel like a zombie every day. I cry and get angry at the smallest things. I was better off with no medication than with these, and I have gained 15 pounds, so yeah, not for me."

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2009

Quetiapine "I was put on this medicine very aggressively (200 mg, quickly upped to 400 mg) after a suicide attempt. As an antidepressant, it is more effective than the first-line medications like citalopram. It will help with sleep and a lack of hunger. However, I absolutely hate the side effects. It is often said that antipsychotics 'steal your soul' or act like a 'mental prison.' I would have to agree. To begin with, this was fine, with severe depression, I was happy to take any way out. However, after about 6 months of this, I decided enough was enough. Now I'm off it, my personality is back."

• Moa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2020

"I was prescribed quetiapine about two days ago for derealization, bipolar, anxiety, depression. After taking 25 mg before bed, well, it’s definitely a sedative. I was basically in between sleep and awake, having a panic attack. I had crazy dreams, and the next day I feel worse. I don’t plan on taking it anymore because it was an unsettling, for lack of a better word, experience. This wasn’t for me, personally. I used a coupon to only pay $9 for the medication, and PlushCare to talk to an MD for $100."

• Gre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 31, 2015

"I suffered from high anxiety, panic, deep depression - started on Seroquel 25 morning and 25 night, coupled with 75 mg Tofranil at night. These two combinations saved my life. Seroquel took some getting used to, have gained some weight and had some vision problems, but all in all, feeling so much better, would highly recommend Seroquel for anxiety-related issues."

• Bue...
• November 7, 2011

Quetiapine "The first night I took this medication, I almost ran out of breath before climbing the stairs from the basement to my room (it's as if my respiratory system was somewhat repressed). It also caused some chest/heart pain. On the other hand, I slept well for those two nights. The side effects may be more dangerous than one's condition. Please be careful."

• Dea...
• September 19, 2019

"I was put on Seroquel for depression and psychosis, which was troubling: paranoia, weird thoughts, and hallucinations. I also suffered from severe insomnia for years. Seroquel has seriously helped with my awful thoughts and improved my self-esteem. I have an easier time with other people, and my grades have gone up in school. Unfortunately, some of the side effects are troubling because it's not reliable for insomnia. I can stay awake for 2-3 days or sleep for 20 hours. I'm very tired, and I often pass out. I've lost weight and my appetite. Another good thing about it is that it got rid of the horrible hallucinations I have from sleep deprivation that are much worse than my usual ones. My parents and doctor don't like that I'm on this drug. For years, people have been telling me to exercise, eat healthy, sleep well while forgetting that depression makes everything impossible. Don't listen to people who say this, you know what works for your body. Seroquel has been great for me, but some of the side effects are concerning."

• Dru...
• January 23, 2019

"My psychiatrist worked me up to 200 mg after my first suicide attempt in April 2018. I thoroughly enjoy how easy it is to fall/stay asleep on this drug. But when I got back to college, I was excessively tired throughout the day, needing multiple naps and lots of caffeine to even stay awake during classes. I just went down to 150 mg per day and already feel better sleepiness-wise, even naturally waking up a bit earlier instead of requiring 10+ hours of sleep. In terms of other side effects, I always attributed the cravings and binging to my restriction/eating disorder, but didn't think until now that it may be because of the drug. I have been bothered by feeling the need to literally eat spoonfuls of sugar multiple times a day. As for depression/suicidality, I haven't really noticed a difference."

• Cro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2021

"So I take it for BPD and bipolar. Best med I've ever taken and tolerate it very well. It takes a few weeks to work like it should, but you will feel some relief in about 5 days. You will sleep soundly and wake up rested, it is a strong sedative. I feel that sleep relates to depression and anxiety. I have experienced zero weight gain, I'm lucky, I guess. You will wake up sedated, but it goes away in about 30 minutes. I also take a stimulant, so that might be part of it, but I also wake up happy and ready for the day. The things that used to bother me no longer do with this med. It gave me my life back."

• Rip...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 10, 2018

"I had severe, endogenous postpartum depression... melancholic in nature with insane amounts of agitation, anxiety, and psychotic features. Quetiapine saved my life. When I first started, I felt BAD... but after 4 weeks, I adjusted and slowly went back to normal. I would not suggest this unless you are as severely ill as I was. But if you have that agitated, restless depression, this drug is a miracle. 150 mg is the sweet spot for me, extended release. Give it time, and the side effects will lessen. Weaning off, on the other hand? It's a goddamn nightmare. I'm in the process of weaning, and each step down is pretty uncomfortable, so NEVER go off cold turkey."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2019

"I've never been a great sleeper, but if I took an entire pill (100 mg), I could be out for over 12-15 hours. So I cut it in half (50 mg), 10-12 hours. A quarter of a tablet (25 mg), 8-10 easily. So for that, I'm grateful. I'm on Pristiq for depression, but it works well. However, I've decided against taking even a quarter pill nightly, as I'm noticing my depression is worsening and I'm crying constantly."

• Gas...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 20, 2017

Quetiapine "I was on this medication for around 3 years at different doses, anywhere from 50 mg to 600 mg. It was a very good medicine and helped a lot with my anxiety and depression and really calmed me down and was very helpful, but the weight gain was a killer. I would try to go off over and over and would have to keep going back to it because I would be in such bad shape without it. I had a love/hate relationship with it. I became pre-diabetic while on it. I finally was able to go off and stay off at one point. It's a great drug, but the side effects are horrible as far as weight gain."

• Huc...
• October 14, 2018

"I take 25 mg at night before going to bed, then I get really hungry, so I hit the fridge right around midnight for leftover goodies or a quick ham sandwich. It does make me sleepy but does not help me sleep, especially when I'm craving that ham sandwich. And forget taking this during the day. It can make you really sleepy. Lately, I've been having bouts of inexplicable melancholia, and I am beginning to think it's the quetiapine. Aside from the appetite (which I have problems with), I do not think it is a good sleeping med. Nor does it help my depression. I guess everyone who takes it experiences different things. Bottom line, if you have no issues with it, just take it as prescribed."

• Mia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2018

Quetiapine "I got prescribed Seroquel XR for my sleep, and it is supposed to help me with my sleeping, and it does. I don’t follow a specific roster of when I’m meant to take it, so I’m on and off every week, and I only just started noticing that when I start taking it after a while of not taking it, my depression gets worse. I’m not really sure of what’s going on."

• dyn...
• January 29, 2009

Quetiapine "I have been on Seroquel for several years, and it has helped greatly with my symptoms. I have run out of it a few times and could really tell the difference. Other than a few adjustments to my dosage, Seroquel has been great."

• Sie...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2020

"Experienced headaches, dizziness, extremely sedating, leaves me with a feeling of complete numbness. I am simply hollow when on quetiapine. My sister had the same reaction, and our depression only grew worse."

• Anonymous
• September 18, 2011

Quetiapine "Seroquel XR is very good. It boosts up my energy. After trying other medications, this is the best, with little side effects. In the morning, you feel like staying in bed and weight gain because of hunger cravings."

• Bip...
• May 17, 2011

Quetiapine "Taking low dose, 25-50 mg at bedtime for about two years. I was tired during the day, so we switched to hydroxyzine for the sleep. Bad idea, as I was very irritable and after about 6 months, wound up back in the hospital. Low dose Seroquel has positively changed my life. My psych says low dose has a remarkable effect on bipolar patients in his practice."

• Anonymous
• March 29, 2011

Quetiapine "I am 49 and have Bipolar II. Been on Seroquel 400 mg for one year. Initially very drowsy, restless legs, dry mouth, and blocked nose, most side effects lifted after 3 months. This medicine controlled my racing thoughts, helped me concentrate (I thought I had ADD). Ironically, despite the drowsiness, it lifted my extreme exhaustion (I used to have weekly Vitamin B injections because I was so tired). I no longer feel drowsy, managed not to gain weight with the help of a dietitian and an exercise program. I do get very hungry but refuse to give in to the hunger. I also take Wellbutrin and Zoloft to help with the depression, tearfulness, and agitation. I would recommend Seroquel to bipolar patients."

• SGP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2017

"I'm 32 years old, bipolar, OCD tendencies. Have been taking Seroquel XR for over a week now. At first, it seemed to trigger a manic episode that lasted for 5 days. For someone who typically spends most of his time on the depressive side, this was heaven. LOL I take 100 mg a day just before bedtime, have no trouble getting to sleep, am able to stay asleep, and don't find it too difficult to wake up. I normally have consuming and unwarranted anxiety. This has been greatly suppressed. I find it much easier to control my anger, and in general, my emotions have become much more stable. There have been no negative side effects. I still feel like I need an additional antidepressant as my normal 'base level' is too low, but I am otherwise satisfied."

• Ela...
• November 21, 2016

"I've been on this drug for four years, and I will admit, it did help me out at first. I was deeply depressed and going through some major life-changing situations. As this calmed down and I developed spiritually, emotionally, and mentally, I gradually decreased the dose. I was on 100 mg the first year, the second year, 50 mg, the third, 25 mg, and the fourth, 12.5 mg (cutting the 25 mg pill in half). I just got off of it two days ago, and I feel like a new person. I had no idea how much it tampered with my mind. I was in a fog for four years. Although I'm sleep deprived, achy, and irritable from the withdrawals (this med's withdrawals are heinous), I feel better than I have in four years. I do not recommend this drug-save your mind!"

• Pik...
• August 5, 2015

"I have PTSD and bipolar OCD and agoraphobia. I'm on 5 mg diazepam, 300 pregabalin, 225 quetiapine, and 408 lymecycline, these are all daily dosages. I find it spaces me out a fair bit and I do eat more, but it's been an overnight success for me, it's made life bearable again."

• tes...
• October 28, 2009

Quetiapine "I was prescribed Seroquel 200 mg doses along with Lexapro after a bad episode recently. I have been unable to work since and have found my dreams to be vivid and disturbing. This drug should not be taken lightly, and I would recommend a second opinion from a medical professional before commencing a course. This drug will make you sleepy, so much so it can be difficult to continue with your employment, driving, development and maintenance of relationships between family and friends, nausea, dizziness, depletion of sex drive, and the list continues. It can be helpful in many cases, but please make sure by second or even third opinion."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2011

Quetiapine "Have been on Seroquel for 4 weeks for depression. I take it before bed. Still experiencing a 'hangover' type feeling in the mornings. I gained 8 pounds in the first 3 weeks I took it. Makes me want to eat even when I am not hungry. However, I am not crying as much, can handle day-to-day life better, and I haven't had chest pain or racing heartbeats since I started, which is a great improvement."

• Thi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 14, 2019

"I have TBI, Organic Personality Disorder. I hate this med. I've been on it for almost 15 years. It does not help my anxiety or depression, it does help my mood swings a bit, but I feel like a zombie all day. I'm constantly anxious to the point of having chest pains and depressed with low self-worth. It's never helped me, and when I don't take it, my symptoms explode. Garbage med for sure."