I have had a lower right eye facial tic for approximately 3 months now; occurring frequently throughout the day. There are a number of medical reasons for eyelid tics/twitches. Am concerned though that it could be caused by the SeroquelXR I am taking for sleep. I am only taking 50 mg. Has anyone else that has taken or is taking Seroquel experienced any tardive dykinesia type effects or any type of facial tics or twitches? Just trying to figure things out. Any feedback is highly appreciated! Thanks, AnnieBHappy
Facial tic from Seroquel?
Question posted by AnnieBHappy on 3 June 2012
Last updated on 1 February 2020 by mvf
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
5 Answers
mvf
1 Feb 2020
I don’t know whether Seroquel causes eye tics. I take Seroquel, but had eye tics before l ever took it. It would be the skin under either eye twitching, and it usually went away after a week or 2. However, one time l had an eye tic that lasted 6 weeks. After googling for cures, l found that drinking tonic water does the trick. I get diet tonic water, and try to drink 3-4 large glasses a day. The tic is gone in a few days. This was also in the health column in the newspaper. They don’t know why it works, but it does.
Hope this helps!
balbanese
3 June 2012
Yes, my mom had the same thing happen. Keeping her on it made more sense than experimenting with other meds. Hope this helps.
AnnieBHappy
3 June 2012
Balbanese, when you say the same thing happened to your Mom, do you mean she had all the negative symptoms Delila has or that she had a lower eyelid tic/twitch? Do you know what dosage she took/is taking? Thanks, AnnieB.
balbanese
3 June 2012
Sorry, the facial tic. I'm not sure of the dosage, I'd have to ask my sister next time I talk to her. My mom was in Brooklyn at the time, I'm in CA. She passed last August.
AnnieBHappy
3 June 2012
I'm sorry to hear of your mom's passing balbanese. Might I ask what was the cause? AnnieB
Inactive
3 June 2012
Hello AnnieBHappy. I did answer you your other question so nothing to add on here except that Laura and Delila covered your question to a T. :-0) Be well now, pledge
Inactive
3 June 2012
Thanks pledge for your input, especially from my guru ...
L
AnnieBHappy
3 June 2012
You 'Guyz' (if I may coin a phrase way to young for my age): ROCK!!!
I just love the comraderie that I'm reading within your posts to one another.
I am so incredibly grateful to have been welcomed into this caring circle as well! Thanks, okay, think I'd better get a few things done around here. Keep On with the Knowledge of How Very Much Care is Sent Your Way Throughout each Day within My Thoughts of Envisioning Courage for Us All!!!
AnnieBHappy
Inactive
4 June 2012
It is now early Monday morning, have a great week ladies, bye bye now, pledge
AnnieBHappy
4 June 2012
You too Pledge! :-) A.B.H. (Have a nice week!)
Delila
3 June 2012
Hi, yes i get Tardive Dyskinesia from Seroquel XR. I take it for BPD and have been for about 18 months now @ 200mg. I usually only experience the jerks etc when i am tired and just before falling asleep. I don't think i have experienced the eye twitching. I get quite severe jerks at times, my arms, legs, head/neck, body. I also bite my tongue quite often - very annoying! And i grind my teeth in my sleep. Luckily i live alone so when i get the jerks in bed i don't bother anyone but myself. I have considered changing medication in the past, but the benefits of the Seroquel outweigh the TD effects for me. Have you experienced other side effects apart from the eye twitching?
kaismama
3 June 2012
Are you aware that tardive dyskinesia doesn't go away when you stop the med causing it?
AnnieBHappy
3 June 2012
I think I read that tardive dyskinesia may or may not go away after stopping the meds. I also read that it could start after stopping the meds and may or may not go away after resuming. Oh, hey, just reread Delila's post and realized she asked me a question... Every once in a while I get that jerk feeling prior to falling asleep. But rarely. So not sure if I can attribute that to the Seroquel. I'm more concerned about your list of symptoms re: could it be the Seroquel? than mine. My main thing is eye twitching, which can, as I stated occur from other things as well (fatigue, eye strain etc) So I am going to give it some time to see if it resolves itself before I point the finger at the Seroquel and alter that. Delila, have you talked to your doctor about these unsettling/disturbing side effects? If so, what was his or her response? If not, I think you should. Seroquel may or may not be right for you. Perhaps a discussion with your doctor is in order. I'm concerned. Keep me posted. AnnieBHappy
Delila
3 June 2012
Hi Annie, I have discussed the TD with my psychiatrist but to be honest I really think the benefits of Seroquel outweigh the side effects, for me anyway. I've had a mouth guard made by my dentist to protect my teeth. I am unable to work (for now at least), so it isn't a problem in that respect either. My psych says that the TD WILL improve if I stop the Seroquel, but it will take time. I very nearly died 2 years ago from a suicide attempt, but since I've been on the Seroquel I am much more (if not totally) stable. I know people have it much worse than I do, I'm lucky that I can deal with it. Thanks for your concern : )
AnnieBHappy
3 June 2012
Thanks for your input Delila! Am happy to hear that you have become much more well due to your medications etc. Sounds like you've been 'there and back' and you keep on keepin' on, ya hear!!! Again, thanks so much for your open sharing; the insights we share on this site will help us all navigate our way through the rough patches and keep us feeling strong... AnnieB
p.s. how long have you been using the Seroquel?
Delila
4 June 2012
Very well said! I've been taking the Seroquel XR for about 18 months @ 200mg : )
Hatespsychiatrists
19 Aug 2013
Stopping the damn drugs doesn't stop TD. 9 years on zoloft, 2x bipolar. . . Haldol and Geodon cause spectacular violence. STAY AWAY FROM PSYCHIATRISTS. ,
Kristen01974
26 Aug 2017
This is not Tardive Dyskinesia. A hypnagogic jerk is an involuntary muscle spasm that occurs as a person is drifting off to sleep. The phenomenon is so named in reference to the hypnogogic state — the transitional period between wakefulness and sleep. Hypnagogic jerks are also commonly known as hypnic jerks or sleep starts. This occurrs in 60-70% of people. Teeth grinding is called Bruxism. Stress, anxiety, smoking, heavy alcohol, caffeine, depression and sleep disorders are all possible causes of teeth grinding, also according to the Bruxism Association. There is, however, little evidence to directly support any cause. Research has shown that bruxism is found more frequently in people who snore or suffer from obstructive sleep apnea and in people whose lifestyle includes smoking, drinking alcohol and caffeine. It has been found that 70 percent of people clench and grind their teeth as a result of stress and anxiety.
Some research has shown a possible link between teeth grinding and a stressful work environment. People with real Tardive Dyskinesia can really suffer terribly with the condition so count your blessings.
Inactive
3 June 2012
Facial tics are a well known side effect of typical or atypical anti-psychotics. The terrible thing is they might not go away... Talk to your doc and see if your diagnosis might be treated with something else. I told my shrink... NO WAY was I gonna take them, put on your thinking cap and come up with something else, he did. Just you let you know you have other options. If you are just taking it for sleep... didn't someone explain side effects? There are a lot of options for sleep, hopeless insomniac here. Lamictal in the morning knocks me out by 10 pm. It has possible side effects, but none as bad as tardive dyskinesia.
Please ho talk to the prescribing physician and try to get this "tic" resolved.
Wishing you the very best,
Sweet Hippie
AnnieBHappy
3 June 2012
Thanks for your reply Imariani55... The doc says that the lower eyelid twitch is probably due to fatigue and/or stress as the SeroquelXR dosage I'm on is quite low... Not sure what to think... It does help me sleep; well and deeply and consistently with little to no hangover in the morning. I tried Zopiclone for sleep and was allergic to that for sure, I'm certain of it. My mouth became really coated etc... felt incredibly weak. Thanks for the input! Will keep it in mind as I try to figure this tic out... AnnieBHappy
Inactive
3 June 2012
Annie,
I am bipolar, have major depressive episodes, OCD, PTSD, borderline personality disorder (remains to be seen) and just about every other thing you can think of. I'm telling you that even at low doses, symptoms appear. Seems like you got lucky. Please don't wait too long. Lamictal might be better for your depression as I have been on almost every psych med in 43 years, I have a little bit of experience with the drugs and how docs act. My father was a surgeon and my brother a shrink (OMG).
They don't know everything, especially about the meds they prescribe. For me, although Lamictal can have side effects, the only effect it's had on me is to set me free from myself. I sleep like a baby every night, wake up semi-raring to go, I'm fine once I get mu caffeine. Just sayin' sweetie, you have options. And I know in my heart that the tics are caused by your low dose Seroquel.
Peace out, check it out on line, Google it...
Laura
kaismama
3 June 2012
It would be a cold day in hell before I'd take an anti psychotic for sleep. There are many other things that can be taken that are safer. Some anti psychotics are prescribed by these drs as if they didn't have major side effects. Frankly I feel tardive dyskenesia something I won't risk.
Hatespsychiatrists
19 Aug 2013
Antipsychotics are the most dangerous drugs in the the US. using them for sleep is both stupid and dangerous. American mental hospitals are not great. . .
Related topics
seroquel, depression, tic disorder, insomnia, medical
Further information
- Seroquel uses and safety info
- Seroquel prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Seroquel (detailed)
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