Seroquel XR for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews

• lav...
• January 25, 2020

"My mother rushed me to the hospital because I refused to get out of bed and wouldn’t stop talking about suicide. I was so tired from feeling low every day, I thought there was no way I would ever regain the will to live. Dr. Rx’d me Seroquel 25 mg once at bedtime, so at least I wasn’t thinking about ending my life anymore. Suddenly, I felt really heavy-drunk and could barely walk. The first day I slept for 20 hours, and when I woke up, I was too tired to keep up my previous behavior. After a couple of days, I whittled 20 hours down to 8 and was sleeping normally. Six months later, I am at 100 mg, and six months away from that, I am now on XR 200 mg. Never have I felt better about my life. This is a tranquilizer. If you expect to drive cars or operate machines, you are seriously mistaken. It should not be taken in the morning due to its sedating effects. If you are someone who doesn’t need to “dull your brain,” I highly suggest you ask your doctor for another medication. There’s a reason it’s dubbed the shut-up drug."

• Bli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2019

"Have had major depression and major depressive episodes over 45 years. Have tried various SSRIs. Seroquel is the best so far, it helped me significantly with one 25 mg dose. Where the SSRIs did not seem to help much at all after months of use: Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor. Side effects seem to be minor, except it does make me sleep a lot. A LOT. Up to 10 hours a day. Deep sleep, not just REM sleep. Works extremely well for me. Although I try to use it only when I need it. In short periods of 2 weeks or so, and then see if I still require it. Very effective. I can honestly say this drug saved me from the edge of desperation and suicide."

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2015

"Absolutely amazing drug. Has quite literally saved my life. Pity I need to lie to the Australian government about having bipolar to get it prescribed. No doubt this is stopping many thousands of Australians from getting access to it. Seriously. I went from suicidal for several months to absolutely normal in one dose. One dose. Talk to your doctor about this if antidepressants are not working for you. Understand it may require you to lie about having bipolar."

• Eli...
• November 28, 2014

"Seroquel for depression isn't heard of much. I'm on it, and yes, at first, it was horrible. Head spins and just like motion sickness. But I was advised to stick it out and did. Approx. 6 weeks it settled down. I take it for bipolar, the racing mind, no sleep, or little sleep. With Seroquel, I sleep a night's rest. My mind isn't active at all. I'm on 300 mg. A bit tired of a morning, but if you are up early, which can be hard, the effects wear off sooner. I won't swap to any other, I tried Zyprexa, but I'm sticking with Seroquel."

• Hel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 29, 2024

"I originally took 25 mg of immediate release Seroquel with Paxil. I decided to go off all my medication as I had been on it a long time and wanted to give my body a break. I was good for about 6 years. Then, due to stress at work, I had a nervous breakdown. My MDD and anxiety were in full force. I ended up in the hospital, and my doctor put me back on Lexapro and Seroquel XR 50 mg. They were lifesavers. I knew from the past that the combination of SSRI and Seroquel worked. Though I like the XR better, as the immediate release made me extra tired in the morning. The XR does not. My insurance covers the medication, but I think it is expensive if not covered, which is a pity since it could help a lot of people. I don’t think I’ll be going off my medications again."

• Mig...
• January 19, 2016

"I'm currently 30 and a male. My depression has only worsened since (and before) my initial diagnosis of depression and generalized, social, and 'acute' anxiety 13 years ago. I've been in major depression for at least five years, tried to kill myself twice, and am unable to take care of myself. I've lived alone since I left for college in 2003. I still live alone here. I've been on any SSRI I can think of, so this was a last resort med. Seroquel has made me much too tired to work or do anything else. The only stars I gave it relate to the reduced anxiety when I'm actually awake. Other than that, I'm more numb than I ever have been and am at risk of losing my job."

• Hal...
• December 28, 2015

"I'm currently taking 150 mg Seroquel XR along with 45 mg Remeron for MDD. I take them both at night to help with my sleep. It also is to help with my anxiety disorder. I've noticed that I am less depressed and anxious, but that's only because I'm so depersonalized I can't focus on my surroundings, let alone my anxiety. I constantly feel stuck in a dream-like state, and I can't focus. Even as I write this, I'm struggling to find the words and describe how I feel because I don't feel much of anything. I haven't had many other side effects, even when I drastically increased the dose. All in all, it technically does help, but this is no way to live."

• The...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 20, 2024

"I was diagnosed with MDD about 6 years ago. After a stay in the psych ward, I was put on Cymbalta, Trazodone, and Seroquel. I didn't realize I could ever feel this good. Just became full and never stop cold turkey."

• Sym...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 10, 2018

"I have been taking 200 mg Seroquel XR for about two years. It does very well at neutralizing the intense, unpredictable, negative emotions that come with my depression and anxiety. And it does help me sleep a reliable 7 to 9 hours a night. HOWEVER: I've noticed it's not picky; it seems to neutralize positive emotions somewhat, too. Also, I'm very groggy in the mornings for 4 to 6 hours after waking up. And, worst of all, one time I forgot a dose and woke up in the middle of the night in a panic, super itchy, very hot, and drenched in sweat. So it seems I will have to take this med forever, or suffer some pretty severe consequences. Overall, a mixed bag, but the positives outweigh the negatives."

• Wre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 13, 2016

"I have suffered from major depression since early adolescence and have been exposed to over two dozen different antidepressants in the last 30 years. Expensive, ineffective, grossly negative side effects to skin and chronic fatigue daily. Trying another high-cost drug, a desperate last resort. Each dirty little pill failed, with an accumulated cost of more than $15,000 to the patient asking for help. Negligent dispensation of Seroquel XR also resulted in a near-fatal car wreck for the patient. Aside from losing my car and job, I was privileged to gain 40 pounds... and counting. Chronic insomnia kills drivers, truckers, pilots, and boat captains every day. Drug companies need to try a lot harder to promote healing rather than just bankroll profits."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 9, 2016

"1200 mg XR per day worked and stopped my mental process enough to pave the road to recovery. I developed arthritis in both hands and the most savage addiction ever known to man I was now facing. I have now stopped completely, and all the words and reviews can never prepare you for such an experience. I took the cold turkey approach and 3 months of violent withdrawals I have stayed clear. I would recommend other treatments before this as a last resort. It saved my life, but at what cost? I still have mental health issues and arthritis, but I quickly get on with my day when I realize I could be back taking them."

• Cck...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 18, 2019

"While on Seroquel XR, my habits, escape mechanisms related to BPD were improved. These related to gambling, alcoholism, and reckless behavior. The side effects in my case were severe and included increased appetite, weight gain, tachycardia, and feeling like a zombie. I found myself questioning why I needed this drug?"

• Pon...
• October 25, 2015

"This was the absolute worst medication I have ever taken. What a nightmare!! To begin with, I was taking Duloxetine 60 mg 1x a day, Wellbutrin XL 300 mg 1x a day, Valium 10 mg 3x a day, morphine 30 mg 2x a day, and oxycodone 20 mg 4x a day. I was doing just fine, or so I thought. I had a change of doctors due to the fact that my doctor left this practice. Not sure the reason for this medication. Never again!! After starting that medication, once it really got in my system, my worst fear came to reality. I totally went outside my mind to the point my daughter was so scared of my behavior she called the EMS. Upon arrival at the ER, after blood work, I was told I was overly medicated. Never, never again!!! Awful!!"

• dus...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 8, 2015

"I have been taking this for five years and have never been better. I think you just have to find what works for you. My psych doc is the best!"

• Get...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 22, 2014

"Does not improve my quality of life. Depression continued and developed major cognitive dysfunction. I could not even communicate what was happening to me or for any wants or needs."

• Sha...
• October 23, 2016

"Been great for me except for the weight gain, I just want to eat all the time."