Seroquel XR and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• TJG...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 4, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Unfortunately, I have no idea what is wrong with me, but what I know is that Seroquel works great for me. I suffer from severe mood swings, mild psychosis, generalized anxiety, and have experienced mild religious auditory hallucinations. I switch dosages pretty often due to my mood swings because if I am manic, I need more, and if I am depressed, I need less because Seroquel works as a major sedative to kick mania, and when I am depressed, sedation is a con because it makes me more depressed. In general, it does work, but I am really sad that I have to take prescription medication in order to be normal."

• Wha...
• May 15, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I started taking this when I was 12 years old, and the entire time I was on it, I gained probably like 40-60 pounds. But I was somewhat overweight at the time, so probably thought not much about it. I would miss school because my mom had a death wish if she woke me up. It made me tired and foggy for days. Last October, my mom woke me up just a few hours after taking it. And I couldn't even comprehend what she was saying. So along with the schizophrenia, I also have sleep apnea, I stop breathing in my sleep. Thank god I can figure it out pretty fast and wake up. On Seroquel, it's impossible and also makes it worse. Even after more than ten years, I really hate this medication. I haven't taken it for a year or more. But they still prescribe it. They started me on Abilify, which I recommend for anyone with schizophrenia or B.L.P. or B.P. because Abilify does work, and it works fast, and also it doesn't cause any sleeping problems or drowsiness. And even comes in a once-a-month dose."

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

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• Skr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 27, 2014

For Schizophrenia "When I was 14, I was put on 450 mg/day before bedtime, and within 6 months, I gained 25-30 pounds. It worked super well to get rid of my hallucinations (including the tactile ones), but it made me extremely zombie-like. My grades slipped at school, and I slept as soon as I got home till the next morning. The first day, I slept 22 hours. This medicine made me so hungry all the time, and no matter how much I ate, I was never full."

• Kim...
• November 16, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "Just started Seroquel XR, and it gave me a great, good night's sleep. Woke up feeling a little groggy but went back to bed after an hour awake. So far, the depression and anxiety are gone. That's good because yesterday my anxiety was really bad. Tried Geodon and hated it. Really made me sleepy 24/7. So far, so good as far as the first day goes. I'm praying that this is the medication that works for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2012

For Schizophrenia "Got rid of psychotic symptoms, but I had an allergic reaction and had to go off it. Made me feel drunk after I took it, so I had to go right to bed. I would stumble around if I got out of bed. Made me sweat and salivate more. I found olanzapine a better fit."

• Anonymous
• September 25, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "I only took this one evening, it put me to sleep. This was one of the strongest medicines I've taken. I was put on 50 mg. I felt horrible the next day, couldn't concentrate to read, felt more depressed, had to go back to bed in the morning, and felt horrible the whole day. Luckily, my doctor said I could quit it."

• No ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2021

For Depression "On this for depression & bipolar. Terrible word blockage. Would experience electrical-like zaps in my brain. Felt like a zombie, unable to focus, no energy to do anything. Slept for 16+ hours every single time I took it."

• pik...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 4, 2023

"Did wonders for my anxiety for years. Was less sedating than the regular stuff. It did help my anxiety. I also have bipolar, generalized anxiety, and insomnia. It's a love-hate drug. All antipsychotics have bad reviews, but Seroquel is the one with the best reviews."

• CBI...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 24, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "This was a miracle med for me. It lifted my relentless depression, and I was able to be stable on just Seroquel for many months. Almost no side effects except small weight gain and daytime sleepiness, but that went away. Best sleep of my life on this med. I’ve hit a rough patch in life (experiencing some loss) and am in the midst of a breakthrough depressive episode, but titrating back up on Lamictal and considering adding Wellbutrin eventually. I knew at some point I’d probably have to add a med, but Seroquel is still an important piece of the puzzle for me. It’s definitely not for everyone, like all meds, but for me it’s great."

• TyT...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 26, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I was on Seroquel XR 300 mg for a year. It worked for the most part, but the sleepiness during the day was just too much for me. I gained 83 pounds and developed NA Fatty Liver Disease from it. Can’t say I would recommend this medication."

• Jt1...
• April 27, 2016

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Been on regular Seroquel for 4 years, fine. Started this for mania/depression and paranoid thoughts. Awful. Weaned up from 50 mg to 450 mg, then back down to off in 1 week. Stomach pains. Out of touch with reality. Groggy. Weight gain immediately. It helped the symptoms, but no way to live."

• NZS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2022

"I was prescribed 200 mg by a doctor at a psych hospital in Long Beach, in combination with gabapentin, hydroxyzine, and Remeron to take at night. I can’t even explain the amount of times I would wake up having no clue where I was, what day it was, and what time of day it was. That lasted about 2 months. Then I had overdosed based on the combination of medications I was on, and based on the dosage that exact doctor told me was safe to take. I spent 4 days in the ICU. I’m terrified to even take Advil now due to that doctor's malpractice."

• Pix...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 12, 2014

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Unfortunately, after more than a year, pervasive stuff like weight gain, increased lipids, and diabetes all started to be present. Great for a while, but I started to need more of it to deal with psychotic symptoms, and the sedative nature of it got in the way. Swapped to paliperidone ER, which is more focused on the psychotic symptoms and doing well without the sedation."

• Aci...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed Seroquel 10 mg for anxiety and insomnia. My doctor said to start at 5 mg for a couple of days so my body would get used to it. Within 20 minutes, I felt sedated and sleepy. I have to cut it into quarters before I take it because otherwise I feel dumbed down and heavy, like I smoked a whole pound of weed or something. My eyes even become reddish and lazy. It damn near gives me anxiety. I have never taken the whole 10 mg because I'm terrified of how I might feel. Also, if I take it after 7 pm, I struggle to get up at 4 am for work. I've snoozed my phone all the way to 7 am before just because I literally could not keep my eyes open for more than 5 seconds from feeling so tired, like I only had an hour of sleep. Maybe it's a different result for bipolar, but it isn't working for me at all."

• Dea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2014

For Schizophrenia "All the other medications I have been on produced horrible side effects. Seroquel works great, and the only side effect is sleepiness. Stable at 600 mg and quite pleased."

• kle...
• August 14, 2009

For Schizophrenia "Works well - sedating though."

• Anonymous
• September 10, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "Made me too 'hungover' and groggy the next day. I was even breaking my 50 mg pill in half."

• Ste...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 23, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "Worked but made me drowsy and put on weight."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 23, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Gained probably 80 pounds, constantly was ravenous, felt horrible, drowsy and disconnected, and my symptoms were not any better. No thanks."

• Dar...
• June 17, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Only take when needed. Mainly for its sedative effects, though that doesn't always seem to work. Especially if I've been taking them for a few days in a row."