Seroquel and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• January 23, 2012

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Puts me to sleep like turning off a light switch. Which has greatly helped me work and be on a normal schedule. Before, I would stay up for 24-36 hours straight, then sleep 15 hours and then repeat. Been taking it 7 years. Now, when I decide it is bedtime, I take it, and 9 out of 10 times I am sleeping in 20-60 minutes. It works just as well for me at 25 mg or 200 mg....same effect. Personally, 15 minutes after I take it, though, I absolutely will not give my OCD the time of day, not because it goes away, but because if I do, the medicine makes it harder to focus and deal with whatever is bothering me, and it can go on and on worse than normal. And the more drowsy I get, the worse it is to focus."

• woo...
• August 11, 2008

For Bipolar Disorder "In the hospital, I received treatment for a significant manic episode with psychosis. I was on Geodon, but it had stopped working, so I switched to Seroquel. At low doses, it was ineffective, however, now I'm taking 600 mg at night, and it has worked well. At this dose, after a couple of days, I felt like myself again. I've noticed some drowsiness, but in my experience with antipsychotics, it will fade as I become acclimated to it. However, I am extremely hungry all of the time. Hopefully, this will go away."

• Dir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed 200-700 mg for bipolar with psychotic features. At 200-400 mg, I slept well and woke up happy and felt content. Some symptoms remained, thus the increase to 700 mg. At that level, I had nightly blackouts where I would write belligerent texts to loved ones at night and have no memory of it. I was horrified to learn of it later. I've tried Geodon and Zyprexa with bad results like drooling, somnolence, and tachycardia. Next doctor visit, I will ask to be put on 300 Seroquel. I had good results at that level and wish to return to that. Looking forward to it. I'm not on any antipsychotic currently, and I feel anxious."

• Hea...
• September 24, 2008

For Bipolar Disorder "I was recently prescribed Seroquel, and I can tell the difference already with my bipolar. However, it made me so drowsy and lethargic that I can only take it at night. It has helped me think more clearly and has lessened my manic and depressive episodes to where I feel almost 'normal' again."

• Anonymous
• March 29, 2011

For Depression "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."

• Lil...
• December 5, 2011

For Insomnia "I would NOT recommend taking this medication for longer than a few weeks for insomnia. It works amazingly well at first, but then, over the course of time, you will need to up the dosage to get the same result. Over time, you will find that the medication makes you groggy and can cause weight gain. Then, when you try to get off, it is very, very hard. I was only on 50 mgs for 6 months, and it has taken 2 months for my sleep to occur naturally more than in 2-hour increments. Overall, it made my insomnia worse."

• Anonymous
• April 26, 2009

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I was put on Celexa, Depakote, and Seroquel when I was a month into being 13 years old. I was fine for a week, then the voices returned with a vengeance, much worse and far more taunting and tormenting than ever before (or since). I became a zombie, unable to communicate the problems to my doctor or family. In addition, when I described problems to my doctor, he insisted Seroquel didn't cause those effects. Drowsiness, craving sugar, problems with walking and balance, and becoming a far more ill person than I was when I began the medication. I gained 60 lbs in three months. When I stopped Seroquel, I returned to 'base sanity.' My weight returned to normal."

• Bel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 12, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve struggled with unmedicated bipolar disorder 1 for years. I have always been very hesitant to take antipsychotics because I happen to be one of those people that gets all the rare side effects. I took Seroquel for the last 6-7 months, and at the 300 mg dosage, my symptoms nearly faded away entirely. But I didn't like the way it made me feel. I felt dumbed down and slow. I was in a constant state of sedation and could barely work. I didn’t feel manic or experience psychosis, but I felt I couldn’t enjoy life either. I’m tapering down now and hope to try something new."

• Anonymous
• January 29, 2011

For Depression "I recently started Seroquel 50 mg for depression, panic disorder, anxiety, insomnia. The first couple of days and then up to 150 mg. This medication works great. It creates anxiolytic effects similar to clonazepam and relieves all my anxiety. I sleep well too. I can actually function thanks to this medication, and it works excellently for paranoia and anxiety. I've also found it to work great for sleep. I was previously on Abilify, which was very activating and gave me a lot of anxiety, and I couldn't sleep more than 1-2 hours. On Seroquel, I sleep a full 8 hours, and I wake up refreshed and ready for the day. It controls my anxiety and works wonders. Side effects are: no sex drive and drowsiness. Great medicine, works great."

• Nin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "As a teen, I was on a lot of mood stabilizers. I stopped taking them before as a child. Cut forward 10/13 years, I've been really struggling to control my thoughts and mood, so I sought out help, and they put me back on Seroquel. To my surprise, the medicine had me pretty sedated the first 3 days or so and is slowly building up in my system. I feel so much better, my mood is not constantly up and down, I don't have racing thoughts, I don't feel suicidal. I was iffy about getting back on it just because I remember, as a teen, trying to get off it and the sleepless nights, however, I am very pleased with this drug right now. This is a fast-acting drug that saved me a trip to the psych ward."

• Anonymous
• May 12, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar type II and have been taking Seroquel for the past two years. It has helped a great deal by stabilizing my moods and providing me with a good night's sleep every night, no matter what. Each morning, I wake up feeling refreshed and in control of my day. Used to take 300 mg a day, but now I only need 100 mg, or 150-200 mg on bad days. This was the only medicine that did not cause tremors or restless legs. I've been on Lamictal and Geodon, which all caused tremors. It got rid of the angry hypomanic episodes. The 300 mg caused only minimal weight gain (I gained more weight when I was on lithium) and extra drowsiness in the mornings."

• jwi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I am having Seroquel blues. Just recently, my normal dosage of 400 mg went up 200 mg more, and that 200 I must take during the day. I am so frustrated trying to find out how long it takes for the body to get used to taking the medication during the day. I always feel like I am in slow motion and unable to be patient with others, having irritability and having to take naps during the day to overcome the drowsiness. I know this medicine is important because it helps with the mania, paranoia, and suicidal ideation."

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I use it along with other medicines to treat my severe bipolar disorder. It helps me sleep and keeps the 'thoughts' associated with this disorder in check. I'm not constantly thinking bad, self-destructive thoughts when I'm taking it. The only bad thing about it is the grogginess and the always hungry feeling."

• Jac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 20, 2025

For Bipolar Disorder "It took me a good week to a week and a half before my body finally adjusted, but I am almost 1 year on this medication, and the quality of life has improved dramatically. Like everyone else mentions, it definitely helps with sleep! As someone who could only sleep 4-6 hours each night, this lets me get a solid 8 hours each night, and I wake up feeling great! The first week/week and a half, I was groggy and tired a lot during the day, halfway even thought about stopping taking it, but I kept on it and boy am I glad I did! I have been taking 100 mg each night since day 1 of taking it."

• Kno...
• September 17, 2009

For Depression "I love Seroquel! After suffering with insomnia for approximately 30 years and 2 years of depression, I have finally found a medication that lets me sleep through the night. Plus, I enjoy the groggy and relaxed feeling that I have the following day, although my doctor says that a lot of his patients do not like this feeling."

• Ray...
• December 31, 2015

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have a complicated relationship with this drug. On one hand, I've been on everything for depression (specifically), and nothing helped. I'm talking like 20 medications here, so it's been a rollercoaster. Most antidepressants were useless for me, and the time period for effectiveness is usually over 1 month. Seroquel usually takes 2 weeks to start having an effect. It works for my depression - but I'm sedated and have to sleep a lot. Being a student can make this challenging. Shift work and the like would be hard too. It's my last bet for now because I literally start to crumble to psychosis without it. However, it is debilitating and feels restrictive. Beats the psych ward, I guess. Good luck and keep trying, sometimes it takes a while."

• Ray...
• December 31, 2015

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have a complicated relationship with this drug. On one hand, I've been on everything for depression (specifically), and nothing helped. I'm talking like 20 medications here, so it's been a rollercoaster. Most antidepressants were useless for me, and the time period for effectiveness is usually over 1 month. Seroquel usually takes 2 weeks to start having an effect. It works for my depression - but I'm sedated and have to sleep a lot. Being a student can make this challenging. Shift work and the like would be hard too. It's my last bet for now because I literally start to crumble to psychosis without it. However, it is debilitating and feels restrictive. Beats the psych ward, I guess. Good luck and keep trying, sometimes it takes a while."

• Ins...
• April 13, 2011

For Insomnia "I am a 38-year-old female who has suffered from severe insomnia for 6 years, which has gotten much worse. I have been taking 10 mg of Ambien, which worked well initially (about a year) until it stopped working. I wake up at 2:30 AM and cannot go back to sleep. I have also tried all typically prescribed sleeping medicines to no avail. I was diagnosed with depression. I am taking 20 mg of Prozac and recently 25 mg of Seroquel. I was worried about those who gained so much weight on Seroquel, as I am a fitness fanatic. On the 1st night, I took it at 7:30 pm, woke up feeling very groggy and out of it all day but did sleep better the first night. On the 2nd night, I took it earlier at 6:30 pm and noticed my legs twitching. Slept and felt better taking it earlier. Haven't noticed any cravings."

• jay...
• September 15, 2011

For Depression "I was very reluctant when my doctor suggested Seroquel for my condition. I had been on it before as a sleep aid, and while it did improve my sleep greatly, I was miserable the next day. This time he wanted me on it round the clock, and it has made a huge difference. It would seem strange that something that makes you drowsy would help depression too, but for me, this seems to have been the case. I've had very little depression since we got up to the full dose. I'm now on Seroquel XR 200 mg."

• Anonymous
• July 20, 2011

For Insomnia "I was prescribed 75 mg of Seroquel for insomnia. It worked like a charm for about the first week. Then it made me sleep too much. I was sleeping 12-14 hours a day and was still waking up groggy. As well as gaining around 25 pounds in a matter of 2 months, my physician and I both decided that it would be better to stop taking it. But I still will keep the rest of the medicine I have just in case there are one of those nights that I can absolutely not sleep. Great medicine, just not for me."

• Anonymous
• September 14, 2010

For Insomnia "I am a 52-year-old female who had sleep issues for many years. I've been taking 75 mg of Seroquel about an hour before bedtime for years. I sleep well and do not feel groggy in the morning. My only concern is that if I don't have it, either because I forgot or didn't return home for some reason, I really don't sleep much. It is not supposed to be addictive, but I think I am at this point, even if just mentally."

• Dus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "My doctor put me on this medication to help not just my bipolar disorder but also for my extreme anxiety and agitation I was having. However, since I am a senior who has had sleep apnea since 1991 and use a CPAP machine every night, I suffer from very bad daytime sleepiness and memory problems. I will NEVER take this again! I was only on 25 mg for two days, but I felt like a zombie and very spaced out. My wife almost could not wake me up at 11:00 am, and it was all I could do to get out of bed. I had to get up since I have type 2 diabetes and need to eat something in order to take my medication. I advise anyone with sleep apnea to think twice before you let your doctor prescribe this for you."

• tir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 11, 2014

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Unfortunately, this medication does not suit me, as I get a lot of the undesirable side effects. Slurred speech, terrible confusion, drowsiness but not able to sleep, cravings for sugary foods, a sort of spaced-out feeling, and restless leg. Apart from that, it's great! :) Wish I could continue taking it, but it's not worth the side effects in my case."

• Mol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 5, 2019

"I have Asperger's syndrome. I suffer with generalized anxiety, major depression, and paranoia. Seroquel is amazing, I never realized that I could feel this good! Munchies and weight gain are a real concern, but it is manageable. The only downside for me is that I'm so sleepy for most of the day."

• 649...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 29, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I have started to take 200 mg in July 2015. I have gained too much weight, nearly 20 kg. I have taken 100 mg in December 2015, and now I have been taking 50 mg. I want to quit Seroquel because I feel like a zombie. I sleep very well, but I can't get up early, and I often go to work too late. During the day, I feel tired and sleepy. For my mind and brain, it is good, but the damage of Seroquel is more than the benefits, I think. It does cause addiction. I want to quit it, or I want to take 25 mg anymore."