Seroquel XR and Tiredness: What Users Say

• jos...
• May 25, 2021

For Depression "I am diagnosed with BPD, severe anxiety, and depression. I've tried multiple antidepressants before, and none of them worked for me. My doctor prescribed me 50 mg of Seroquel XR, and I take it before going to sleep. I have now been taking it for 3 months, and it literally saved my life. I've experienced some side effects at first, but now that my body is used to the medication, I feel so much better. I can go out, see friends, and do a lot of things I couldn't even think about doing 2 months ago. In contrast to a lot of people, I didn't gain weight yet, I even lost some. It also helps my mood swings and my dissociation. The only negative thing I can think of is the tiredness. But, if I get out of bed right away, I'm good for the day. I can recommend not to take it too late because it can make it hard to wake up in the morning. In conclusion, I think it's a great medication, and even if you're scared to take it, just give it a try and let it time to start working."

• Wan...
• February 7, 2014

For Depression "I am presently in the hospital and have been put on Seroquel XR. As previously commented, the low dosages cause lethargy and sleepiness. However, I am not nearly as suicidal as I was, I have hope for the future and have not been on it for more than a few days. I am optimistic that once I have reached the proper dosage, I will once again enjoy life as I once did. Paxil, Effexor, and a number of other antidepressants worsened my symptoms over time and/or never did much for the depressive symptoms in the first place. This medicine is worth trying if you are extremely depressed or suicidal."

• DET...
• April 26, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 with psychotic features 3 years ago, but always dealt with grandiose thinking, mild delusions, and a good deal of depression. After self-medicating for two years, I had a mental meltdown, and after spending 2 months cooped up in my apartment, anorexic, dying; I decided it was time to see a psychiatrist. The medications I was prescribed ranged from mood stabilizers to antipsychotics, benzos, sleeping pills, many I was allergic to, like Depakote and Trileptal. Anyway, at first, I tried the regular Seroquel but gained 40 lbs in one month and slept 14 hours a day. Switched to Seroquel XR, not as tired, lost 20 lbs, appetite/mental noise decreased, panic relief, strong sleep aid, life manageable; they are expensive. HIGHLY recommend."

• Bri...
• April 5, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on this for about 2 months, and I've recently been getting extremely tired all day long (even if I take it way earlier the day before). The drowsiness is so extreme that I can't even watch a show. I'm literally struggling to stay awake all day because I feel like I just want to sleep my life away. My depression has been through the roof as well! And to top it off, the weight I have gained since I have been on it has been insane. I constantly want to eat all the time! I have gained at least 20-30 pounds in the past month or two! I am definitely going to tell my doctor I want off of it ASAP! I can't take it anymore."

• Dai...
• April 6, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "At first, I hated this medication. It made me really tired, with feelings of non-reality and weight gain. The doctor who put me on it said to wait and give it a chance. I'm glad I did. I use it to sleep at night. At some point, I will reduce it, but it's great for now. I have very restful sleeps, but I am unable to remember my dreams. I am bipolar, and although I am on other medication for it, I believe that Seroquel has been key in my mood stability. I take 100 mg every night and 25 mg PRN for anxiety if needed. Although I get tired on it, it does slow down my thoughts."

• Eli...
• November 28, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• The...
• March 15, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "Aching or discomfort in the lower legs, or sensation of crawling in the legs, unusual tiredness or weakness, dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, muscle pain or cramps."

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I don't understand all the negative reviews. For me, this pill has worked well. It's calmed me right down and has been blissful at moments. It's expensive, unfortunately. As for weight gain, I've noticed that it's pretty neutral... Granted, I'm weaning off of Zoloft as well, so who knows, but I find with medications with 'weight gain' as a side effect, just trying your hardest to eat a well-balanced diet will prevent it. It's too easy to give up and say, 'Oh well, I'm gonna get fat'-it's very much not the case. Don't give up. If you're bipolar like me, there's a chance you can do a lot with your brain, so give it a shot and take your life back. I think much more clearly and am more productive. The overwhelming tiredness subsided after one week."

• Mig...
• January 19, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• Anonymous
• April 11, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I take this medication for bipolar, but it also does wonders for generalized anxiety disorder. I have suffered for decades with anxiety and panic attacks, and SSRIs have stopped working for me. When I started taking Seroquel, it was like I finally saw color in the black and white world I was living in. My moods are completely under control, and my anxiety is controlled for the most part. This medication definitely has side effects. It's a tranquilizer. It makes you very tired. It also made me gain a significant amount of weight... but I would rather deal with the side effects than deal with the horrible anxiety I was living with every day. I take it before bed... make sure you're able to get at least 8 hours of sleep so you're not groggy the next day."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have been on Seroquel XR for five days and feel so much more positive and restful. I am on 150 mg. Still feeling the side effects of tiredness, but apart from that, all good. Very impressed with this medication."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• December 1, 2009

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Causes a little tiredness, but completely eliminates anxiety and provides an excellent night's sleep. 50mg at night."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2012

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "A little tired some mornings, which can occasionally last during the day. As a medicine, it is amazing, makes me strong mentally and relaxed."

• dnc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Not bad, but the weight gain and how tired it made me eventually led me to go off of it."

• the...
• February 24, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I found that it made me very tired and was not very useful."