Quetiapine and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Dad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 17, 2021

For Insomnia "Got prescribed this for sleep after trazodone failed to help. It is VERY powerful at the 25mg dose for me. Please let your psych know if you have frequent or strong side effects to medicine before using. It knocks me out and keeps me asleep, but makes me VERY groggy in the morning, like I am hungover, and makes me hungry while I'm getting drowsy. Be sure to go straight to bed after you take it to combat eating and risks of dizziness."

• cb1...
• January 27, 2021

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). I’m 20. I was depressed and suicidal when my psychiatrist put me on Seroquel. It took 4-5 months for it to fully kick in. 300 mg was too much for me, my mornings were horrible, and I fainted a couple of times. My heart was beating so fast when I woke up, and I would get so dizzy. It was so hard to start my days properly. I wouldn’t go back to 300 mg, it also made me feel like a potato because I never felt sad anymore. I am now taking 150 mg, which is working soooo well for me. I am finally happy, and I have reached a point of emotional stability and consciousness that I have never had previously. It makes me feel like I have seen real life on the other side. I was so blinded due to BPD, and now Seroquel-only (no dialect treatment)-made me feel so confident and the person I’ve always been looking for. I’ve been on it for 9 months, and I can’t imagine my life without it. I might be addicted to it, but IDC-I would never go back to my BPD, it scares me into the thought of living in that nightmare."

• Yac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 9, 2020

For Insomnia "I've used quetiapine for 3 years now, initially at 50 mg and now at 25 mg, due to daytime drowsiness. It has improved my sleep remarkably but made the transition from sleep to awake more challenging, although I used to use nicotine for this and no longer do. If I ignore the reminder to take it in the evening, I can easily be awake until 3 am or dawn. Running out of medication for 1 night leaves me dizzy and irritable. Unfortunately, it seems to be making me more drowsy during the day, which is hampering my return to study. In general, I think this is an excellent medication; however, side effects need to be monitored."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2019

Quetiapine "I have never been diagnosed with any conditions for which the drug is prescribed, instead, I have depression. What I found out accidentally when searching for a sleep medication was that after one or two doses, my brain felt calmer, and I felt behaviorally more balanced and less anxious. Although I felt a bit lethargic, dizzy, and unsettled at the initial dosage and when awakening the next day, these symptoms do not occur after 3 weeks of 100 mg at bedtime. I have never been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia."

• Sil...
• November 14, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I take 600 mg at night. The XR slow-release version made me very dizzy, so I take the immediate-release version. Anxiety is completely gone, I sleep well, and along with the Effexor SSRI, I'm back to my normal happy self. It saved my life."

• Che...
• April 23, 2017

For Insomnia "I am currently on 25 mg taken 2 hours before bed for insomnia. I have found it to be very sedating and sleep for the entire night. On the first night, around the 2-hour mark after taking, I was not able to function properly. Cleaning my teeth and preparing my clothes for the morning was a big effort. Lightheadedness and dizziness. I have noticed others have had intense dreams/nightmares while on this medication, and I did too. The following day, I feel lethargic and drained despite a full night of sleep. I have rated it a 7 because it certainly works to relieve my insomnia, but the cluster of side effects is frustrating. I would recommend trying it for the first time when you have the following days free and are not working and adjusting."

• Woo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2021

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I started Seroquel due to being on the 'spectrum' of bipolar and having bad anxiety, depression, and some paranoia. I remember when I started it, feeling at peace just being in public. Calmest I have ever felt in my life. Had to stop it because I was having issues with it causing edema in my legs. Have issues with type 2 diabetes prior to this, so figured I'd better not try to start it up again. I really wish I could because it was nothing short of a miracle for me. Weight gain wasn't bad. Getting up too fast from bed would cause dizziness and ear ringing sometimes, but just a few hours after I took it at night. (Didn't happen that often though.) In combination with Luvox, it made a big difference in my life for the better."

• Wal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2023

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I am unfortunately experiencing postnatal anxiety, also said to be a severe anxiety disorder, which is quite literally consuming me. I was put on Quetiapine 25 MG (one in the morning) to help with ruminating and intrusive thoughts. Before taking the drug, I did my research and read many reviews, I was very reluctant due to negative reviews. I decided to give the drug a go, as everyone is completely different, and as I said before, the anxiety was completely consuming me. However, this did NOT help, in fact, it made everything worse. I couldn't function! The anxiety was at its worst, I was like a zombie! I was dizzy, lightheaded, couldn't think straight, very emotional, and if anything, it made me not want to live. I will NEVER touch this drug again. It was horrendous. I was only on this drug for 2 days before having to stop it, I know you are supposed to hold tight and give the drug a chance to work, but no way could I have continued to feel how I did. Good luck to everyone on their journey."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2025

Quetiapine "Seroquel literally changed my life pretty much after the first dose 5 months ago. A motivation I didn’t even know was possible suddenly was there, and my overall thought process has changed even though I never really knew I even had issues there. My mood is pretty much consistent, and I only experience the normal, everyday expected shifts. They often say BPD cannot be managed with medication, but I’ve read about many positive changes to the condition when this medication is used. I have also slept for the first time in probably my whole life. I had some side effects the first week, such as headaches, dizziness, fever, and nausea, but it didn’t last long, and I no longer feel this now, even with dosage changes. My only concerns are the long-term physical effects: diabetes, cholesterol, and many other things. I worked hard on my physical health, and I would hate for this to ruin it all. Aside from this, this medication has been great."

• sic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2015

Quetiapine for Depression "Hate this med. Constantly sick on it. Stomach pain, severe diarrhea, passing out, severe dizziness, and unable to wake up. Hungry for food all the time. Nasty taste in mouth. Thirsty all the time. Can't motivate myself to do anything. This was on the lowest dose available. Won't take it ever again, don't care what my doctor says. No way."

• Waw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2016

For Insomnia "I've only been on this med for a few days. I couldn't sleep in the hospital, so my doc prescribed Seroquel. I normally am an insomniac anyway. It did help...too much. I'm only on 25 mg, but I can't seem to wake up in the morning. I can sleep for 10 hours at a time, wake up, and then I'm dizzy and lightheaded. When I go back to work, I have to have my wits about me and be on register by 6 am. I can't seem to wake up with this. Also, I don't feel comfortable with it treating many disorders that I don't have."

• Dav...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 15, 2015

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Seroquel for 10 years of varying dosage until finding the right balance of this medication. It cured my insomnia and dampened the racing thoughts. Very happy with it for those reasons. However, I feel very dizzy and tired around an hour after taking 350 mg at night. It levels out the mood swings. Curbs feelings of elation and empathy, which is quite a price to pay for steady moods. To conclude, Seroquel has had a very positive influence in the treatment of bipolar disorder. I think of it as preventative medication that 'quietens' the mind (hence Quetiapine - its pharmaceutical name)."

• Hea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 4, 2016

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Although my doctor prescribed it mainly for bipolar depression, he will temporarily increase the dose in response to emerging manic symptoms, especially racing thoughts, agitation, extreme irritability, and delusions. Positive - Significantly (80-90%) calms my thoughts. Helps me fall and stay asleep. Keeps my depression in check. I am now compliant with all of my medications and trust my doctor. Negative - higher doses blunt my affect. I must take my dosage at bedtime because of tremendous sedation, which is when the drug saturation is highest in my blood and brain. If I must get up during the night, for example, bathroom, I'm disoriented and dizzy. I could never take it during the day. Weight gain from 'munchies.' Sex-related problems."

• Anonymous
• April 3, 2012

Quetiapine for Insomnia "I was prescribed Seroquel 50 mg a few years ago after an eighteen-year battle with constant sleep problems. And it does help me get to sleep every night; my dosage has never changed. My only complaints are the rampant hunger I experience before giving in to the fatigue and the dizziness/nausea when trying to stand for too long after the effects have set in. As far as sleeping medication goes, Seroquel takes the cake. I don't notice any psychoactive effects aside from the sedation."

• Lit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2016

For Insomnia "I was scared to death to take this medication after four years tapering off of SSRIs and benzos, but I struggled for four months on two hours or less of sleep each night and finally broke down because my health was failing from the stress of ongoing insomnia. I use 50 mg right before bed, and I sleep six to eight hours. I have horrible nightmares, but I had them even when on no medication. I have daytime side effects of weakness and slight dizziness. I also feel less anxiety, but I feel sort of dead inside and no longer smile or laugh. Which, believe it or not, I still managed at times with no medication and only two hours of sleep! I am going to continue with this medication for a couple of months and then taper it down if possible."

• Eli...
• November 28, 2014

Quetiapine 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."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 24, 2020

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "This medication is NOT GOOD if you have a neurological/movement disorder, and it's neither for anxiety. I have cerebral palsy, and I experienced awful spasms, stuttering, muscle twitching, etc. - I wondered if that was tardive dyskinesia - but it went away after quitting this medication. My mind was running 100 mph, I had random bouts of panic and a much poorer sense of coordination. When I had to unfortunately quit it - cold turkey - I had flailing limbs, shakiness, and dizziness. However, I have had none of the symptoms with Abilify. It seems that Seroquel is GENERALLY OK if you do not have any neurological issues, but if you do... STAY CLEAR!"

• Cye...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 8, 2015

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "For years I took Seroquel in various doses throughout the given day. I was prescribed Seroquel XR about 3 years ago for anxiety and bipolar I. Since then, it has been very effective. I did not gain weight at all. The only drawback is it does cause dizziness and sleepiness. Therefore, I sometimes opt to take it later than prescribed, 7:30 pm instead of 6."

• The...
• March 15, 2014

Quetiapine 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."

• Jea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2018

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was put on this med years ago and taken off. I asked him why I stopped taking it because of weight gain, I don't feel that was the only reason. I have had problems with anxiety and depression for a long time, but it got extremely worse. The anxiety was so bad that I couldn't eat, gave me worse flashbacks from my PTSD, which was caused by trauma throughout my life (domestic abuse and rape). I got headaches, eye pain, palpitations, my hypothyroidism was all off, stomach pain, worse depression to the point I lost weight, which I am already thin. I could go on, but the Dr didn't take into consideration that I suffer from epilepsy, got vertigo, seizures increased. I ended up yesterday in a crisis center because I couldn't stop crying and had racing thoughts, which I forgot to mention. And the flashbacks of my life were one after another. Just was not a good choice of medication for me, especially with physical issues."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 18, 2012

Quetiapine for Schizophrenia "No antipsychotic medicine is perfect. But Seroquel is quite okay. Gives you a good night of sleep. You can feel dizzy. But the best is no extra pyramidal symptoms. I tried 4 or 5 other antipsychotics, but this is as good as it gets considering side effects."

• FOU...
• December 26, 2017

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was on numerous different bipolar medications, but this one was the worst! This medicine landed me in the hospital. I had pain in my right waist when I urinated. My creatinine levels were high and I picked up a lot of weight. I wonder if some of these reviews weren't written by the company itself. It seems there are lots more people struggling with these meds. I weaned off it, but now it seems I have bad withdrawals, blood pressure problems, headaches, fainting, dizziness, severe insomnia, heart palpitations, red spots on my skin, and my insides feel like they are shaky! I would never, ever recommend this."

• okj...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 10, 2019

For Insomnia "I tried everything, and I did Xanax for my insomnia, but the side effects weren't good! My doctor started me on Seroquel 200 mg in the hospital, and I have dreams on it. I have cut back to 100 mg, I take it at 8:30 pm, so I'm out about 10 pm and up at 6 am. I'm a manic depressive, but a positive manic depressive. I'm hardly ever down, my mind is always going! So Seroquel was perfect for me. It saved my sleeping life from only being 1 or 2 hours to about 7 or 9 a night, and I wake up to go to the bathroom if I need to and I go right back to sleep, not like Xanax. When I was out, I was out and almost died in a fire because of Xanax. Now I keep 2 smoke detectors in my home, one right by the head of my bed. Smoke detectors have saved my life 2 times, once was a fryer fire and once I forgot to turn off the burner on the stovetop of a pan of deep-fryer oil! So I always keep a few smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher around, they save lives. For the people that have to use medication, please be wise. I'm also a chronic pain patient!"

• Mon...
• January 9, 2017

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I tried this medication to help with PTSD symptoms. This medication works great for me. The main reason why I took it is for rage and dissociation/disconnection from reality, although mainly for major aggression and rage. Unfortunately, I had to stop taking it shortly after starting because I feel unsafe on it. I get extremely drowsy and it almost knocks me out, although that's not that big of a deal, it fades off after 2 hours or so. The main reason is my blood pressure skyrockets, I feel like the room starts spinning and I get dizzy, my face goes numb, and I feel tingly and more numb everywhere generally, and I get these jolts inside my body while I try to sleep. When I try to sleep, it feels like I'm getting zapped with electricity."

• Sie...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2020

For Depression "Experienced headaches, dizziness, extremely sedating, leaves me with a feeling of complete numbness. I am simply hollow when on quetiapine. My sister had the same reaction, and our depression only grew worse."