Seroquel XR and Sleepy: What Users Say

• Hap...
• October 19, 2010

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was on Seroquel for two years and loved it except at the beginning I was very sleepy, but it went away after a few weeks. I was very shaky, but other than that, it was wonderful. I am drug-free and loving it today, easy to go off it too."

• Anonymous
• December 12, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "All I can say is that it is a miracle medicine. I finally have my life back. There are side effects, but it is worth it. I am in college and doing well. My doctors said that would never happen for me. They said that I would be in and out of the psych ward. I have not needed to be in the hospital in over five years. I can finally hold a job. Like I said, I have my life back, something I was told would never happen. Seroquel XR is the reason for that. Regular Seroquel is great too, it just made me sleep for 18 hours a day. Seroquel XR makes me sleepy, but I no longer oversleep. Again, I say I got my life back."

• Cur...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 20, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking 800 mg Seroquel XR since 2012. I used to hold down two jobs. I have always worked since high school. I have no children, but was very close to my big family and involved in all events. Back in 2012, I had a hard time getting to sleep. The doctor put me on Seroquel, said I was bipolar. I have never gotten mad at anyone and get along with everyone. I’m not an angry person. After taking this drug for a while, it changed my life and ruined my relationship with family and friends. I became a zombie, I never answered my door, and all I did was sleep. I missed out on many family events. Now my family is in my life and asks me what is wrong with me. I can’t stop moving my head from left to right. My doctor hasn’t done any blood work on me for several years, but he still has me taking these pills. I can’t function anymore. The list goes on. I love life and always lived it until this drug came into my life."

• sen...
• March 23, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I suffer from bipolar 1, OCD, very severe anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. I had been in a mental hospital and had taken so many medicines. I could never stop thinking to the point where I stayed awake all night. Mood swings, temper, just raving mad, waiting to be set off. Some medicines worked for a short time, and others just didn't work. So my psychologist put me on Lamictal, but it works very slowly and you have to start it on a low dose and work your way up. I had taken it before, but my other doctor left and every other doctor wanted to put me on Lithium, but I said no because I have lupus. But when he put me on Seroquel XR, well, that's when things began to look a little bit brighter. It does make you sleepy, but it's a great medicine, at least for me anyway. Hope this helps."

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I have had a negative experience on Seroquel. I do not want this to deter anyone from taking it, as everyone's reaction and experience on this medicine is subjective; I just want to put this out there for anyone who might be experiencing similar symptoms and reactions and may be hesitant to say it and to just relate my own experience. I am bipolar II and have untreated ADHD due to the ADHD medicines causing manic episodes. I started Seroquel 2 months ago when I was having a bout of insomnia. I should state that I was on Wellbutrin, Lamictal, and Paxil, and was feeling good. I was productive during the day and upbeat. I was prescribed Seroquel for the insomnia and taken off all the others except Lamictal. I am now a 'zombie', depressed, sleepy 24/7."

• mrs...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 4, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I was on citalopram (Celexa), lithium 1250 mg daily, and olanzapine 20 mg and a lot of benzos. A state-run mental health clinic opened in a local town, so I stopped seeing the private psychiatrist and started to attend the public clinic. The psychiatrist was revolutionary. She immediately stopped the antidepressant because it was elevating mood into mania. She dropped lithium to one dose at night to aid kidney wear and tear. She stopped olanzapine because I was still having mild persistent psychosis and put me on 800 mg of quetiapine (Seroquel). The first week was tough, I was very nauseous and sleepy, but once my body adjusted, it was much better. The mix of quetiapine and lithium is really working for me."

• CRC...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 30, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking this medicine for 11 years. I was diagnosed with bipolar 26 years ago. Then, 3 years ago, another doctor said I don't have bipolar, it's mood dysregulation from complex trauma and PTSD. Anyway, regardless, I do need medication, as it does help. I was originally given Seroquel for anxiety and to help me sleep. Doses have been from 100 mg to 200 mg per day. I've always noticed that when I take it, my sinuses get extremely blocked to the point it affects my breathing. Then I got COVID and developed asthma, so I could no longer tolerate being on it anymore. So the doctor helped me reduce it. I'm now down to 25 mg per day, and my sleeping has improved a lot. I'm no more anxious than before. I realize now that this medication was making me so sleepy and zombie-like, I had no motivation, just getting by each day. It seems I didn't need that much Seroquel after all. I am grateful for this medication, but I think maybe people are being given higher doses than are necessary."

• 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."

• 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."