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Quetiapine for Depression User Reviews

Brand names: Seroquel, Seroquel XR

Quetiapine has an average rating of 6.4 out of 10 from a total of 177 reviews for the treatment of Depression. 52% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 27% reported a negative experience.

Quetiapine rating summary

6.4/10 average rating

177 ratings from 190 user reviews.

Compare all 183 medications used in the treatment of Depression.

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27%
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12%
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14%
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5%
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3%
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11%
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2%
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6%
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5%
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16%

Reviews for Quetiapine

  • josia...
  • May 25, 2021

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) "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."

10 / 10
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161 Report
  • sarra...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 14, 2014

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) "I have only been on Seroquel 25 mg for just over a week. So I cannot say if I will experience the weight gain or not. But so far, this is the best thing that's worked for me. I was horrifically depressed and anxious for over a year, and before that moderately. But after just 1 day on the Seroquel, I felt a huge difference. My thoughts had slowed down, my anxiety and depression got cut in half, my appreciation of time and continuity came back a bit, and the disassociation was appeased. For the past year, I felt like I was on one giant bad paranoia trip, and only after I started taking this medicine did I start feeling normal again. There are still major things that are a problem, but the Seroquel makes it way more manageable."

9 / 10
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244 Report
  • KayKay
  • May 9, 2018

"Who ever said the “Seroquel saved my life reviews are fake” is so wrong - I can assure you I am a real person, and Seroquel changed my life. After suffering from depression and obsessive thoughts for the past 4 years, I finally can make it through my day and feel great about the day. I wasn’t sleeping due to the anxiety, laying awake for hours thinking and thinking. Now I take 25mg, fall asleep, and wake up wanting to enjoy the day! Not staring in the mirror for 3 hours picking out every flaw I have and obsessing over it, crying, thinking of suicide! I’d say it saved my life. You are one person, with one person's experience. Don’t knock or assume others are not true or real. I’ve had no side effects, no weight gain, RLS, bad taste, etc. For some, this could be a lifeline. But what works for some may be pointless or dangerous for you, so talk to your doctor."

9 / 10
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145 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Ocala...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • November 14, 2020

"I am bipolar one and I am primarily always in the depressed phase. I cannot take any depressants because they make me worse, kind of feel like I'm in a hole if that makes sense. I take 200 mg of instant-release Seroquel, 100 mg at about 7:30 in the evening and the other 100 about 11:00 p.m. I sleep wonderfully, and it has tremendously made an impact on my depression. I guess I am very lucky. I did a lot of research on why the weight gain happens, and I read that it could be caused by insulin resistance. I take 2,000 mg of Ceylon cinnamon and also 5,000 mg of vitamin D3 and magnesium. I have not gained a pound. Please Google this, especially the vitamin D for antipsychotic side effects. Good luck!"

10 / 10
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82 Report
  • kate
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • May 19, 2020

"I was put on this medication quetiapine as an add-on drug to go alongside my venlafaxine 150mg. Before this, I was taking olanzapine 10mg. The olanzapine soon stopped working after about 4 months. I was so low and depressed, I wanted to end my life. I didn't have any emotions. However, quetiapine has saved my life. The dose was increased by 50mg every 3 days. At first, I didn't feel any different, then when the doctor increased it to 150mg, I started seeing an improvement in my mood. From then on, I got better every single day. I am now on 300mg and have got my life back. I'm now 4 years in remission and have never felt so good. I wish I was put on this rather than olanzapine."

10 / 10
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82 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • cdfig
  • February 20, 2015

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) "Seroquel XR worked very well for me with a combination of Seroquel and Zoloft together. I've been well for over 3 years now. Usually I would fall into a depression within a year just taking an antidepressant because my body would build a tolerance to the medications. I know this medicine isn't for everyone, but I've had a very good experience and I'm stable and happy."

10 / 10
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148 Report
  • Wanna...
  • February 7, 2014

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) "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."

10 / 10
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156 Report
  • TOC...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 30, 2013

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) "After taking Seroquel for 5 months at 25 mg, I recently upped it to 50 mg at night-time. This has resulted in me being able to drop my Ativan from 2 mg to 1 mg and still get a great sleep. I am much more productive, think clearly, and feel positive. I feel like my personality is coming back. Coincidence? I think not."

8 / 10
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162 Report
  • Anonymous
  • February 2, 2012

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) "I've had depression since I was a young teenager. I didn't decide to get treatment until I was 24. I felt like I was unraveling. I didn't want to get out of bed. I lost interest in all the things that I once loved to do. I had problems with drugs and alcohol. Sleeping problems. The whole nine yards. The medication that my doctor decided to put me on was Seroquel XR. I was a little apprehensive at first, being a drug user for many years, I knew what Seroquel was. My doctor assured me that in a controlled and carefully watched environment, she believed it would help. She started me on 50 mgs. I've moved to 150 mgs. I've had drastic positive changes in my mood. I feel happy, rested, and content. No negative side effects. It worked miracles."

10 / 10
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172 Report
  • Mrque...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • February 17, 2021

"Caution!; many reports here are from sub <100 mg dosages! These doses are not approved for depression. 150-300mg have been studied in multiple trials with positive results. So if you want to take reports here seriously, at least look for those reports that actually report dosages clinically approved for depression! On a side note; I have used quetiapine for 8 months, and overall its been a very good medication for me. The positives; -not only is it anti-depressive for me, but it also allivate my mood over my "normal" not-depressant mood. - works very good for social anxiety for me(although in average this has not been seen in trials). Negative; makes me tired the first 3 hours of the day, which is not trivial. (English is my second language, I rarely write it, so the spelling is probably not great.)"

8 / 10
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65 Report
  • Maggie
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 18, 2020

"Seroquel has been life-changing for me. I struggled with insomnia for years. Currently diagnosed with bipolar type II, I was prescribed Lamotrigine and Seroquel. Seroquel has helped me tremendously. I’m sleeping better than I ever have, and I’ve actually lost weight with this medication because now that I’m sleeping, I actually have the energy to work out every day. I am so thankful for this medication!"

10 / 10
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70 Report
  • Anonymous
  • May 26, 2011

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) "Seroquel XR has changed my life. I feel I am present again in my world. Before taking this medication, I had very little hope that I would ever feel enthusiastic about life. I recognize myself again. I can't say enough about how excited I am about living. I tried so many therapies and had given up hope anything would work. The combination of my antidepressant and Seroquel XR was the key for me."

10 / 10
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152 Report
  • Anonymous
  • June 2, 2011

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) "Read a lot of bad things about Seroquel on the web. After a couple of days, I tried it myself (100 mg a night) and I've found it amazing. It really helps with my anxiety and my hyperactive behavior. I just feel a lot more calm and settled in general. Don't believe everything you read. Just try it for a few nights and see how it suits you. Everyone is different."

10 / 10
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146 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 6, 2013

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) "I have had depression since I was a child, but I didn't start getting help for it until I was 19. I have tried Prozac and Celexa, which did nothing for me, and then my doctor asked me if I have ever heard of a medicine called Seroquel XR. I started out on 50mg and then worked my way up to 300mg. The only side effects for me were weight gain and drowsiness, but the drowsiness went away after a couple of months of using this medicine. Overall, I really like this medicine. It has helped me tremendously!"

10 / 10
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128 Report
  • shell...
  • November 14, 2013

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) "I have used this for years now! I love it, before taking I absolutely could not sleep. I started out with 50mg, and am now taking 75mg after all of these years. I cannot sleep without it and I have no side effects from this medicine."

10 / 10
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123 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 5, 2014

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) "Made me a zombie at low doses and didn't help with depression. In fact, I felt even more depressed since I wasn't able to hold a conversation or think straight due to drowsiness. But it seems to work for some people."

1 / 10
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105 Report
  • robbi...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • December 24, 2015

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) "I've been on Venlafaxine 300mg along with Quetiapine, Mirtazapine, and Pregabalin for Major Depression for around 7 years. Augmentation therapy works for me. It's not perfect, but this level of Venlafaxine along with the other meds has kept me alive. I'm not getting better, but I'm certainly more stable and not going downhill and not suicidal. So in conclusion, don't be scared of meds, they may just save your life."

9 / 10
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88 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 27, 2020

"Quetiapine really makes me feel very calm and instantly gets rid all the pain and tingling sensations in my body. Sometimes it makes me feel really strange like it makes things look more vivid and emotional but not always in a bad way. I had lost my appetite I couldn't eat but when I take those pills I eat like a monster. Quetiapine cured my insomnia that was out of control. I couldn't sleep for days but now I am back on track. I recommend a dose from 50mg to 100 mg. If that doesn't help also recommend to increase the dose but consult your doctor first. But there is one thing that is strange about this drug, sometimes it makes you feel like you are little bit high on weed. Anyways it really helped in so many ways."

10 / 10
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45 Report
  • Kmtdstr
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 2, 2015

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) "I have taken it for PTSD at night for a long time. I'm able to sleep without having horrific nightmares. There is weight gain, but that boosts me to eat healthy and exercise, which helps my depression! Klonopin to help with daytime anxiety and Seroquel before bed are the two drugs that keep me sane and able to live a normal life."

10 / 10
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81 Report
  • mik
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 17, 2018

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) "After being hospitalized twice for suicidal ideation, my psychiatrist decided to put me on Effexor and 150mg of seroquel. I was in the hospital while I started the medication, but at the beginning all I could do was sleep for a few days or so. I wasn’t affected by that too much because I was inpatient, but I read some others mentioning this and I can imagine it would definitely get in the way of trying to go about your everyday. Also my mouth was so dry and I lost my appetite (among other symptoms that I don’t really remember). Those symptoms, while very debilitating, subsided within a few weeks though and now I’m much better and I honestly rarely if ever feel depressed any more! I was very reluctant to go on medication but it’s kept me alive so I guess I can’t really hate it that much. This drug, while causing a lot of problems in the beginning, turned out to be a life saver (literally)."

8 / 10
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59 Report
  • Simi
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 15, 2019

"I've been or seroquel for about 5 months now and it really changed my life. I've had many traumatic things happen in my life and it has really helped me to deal with life. I sleep fantastically but the weight gain has been an issue for me. If anyone has any success stories on loosing weight on seroquel please share your experience"

9 / 10
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47 Report
  • Sympt...
  • January 31, 2011

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) "I recently started Seroquel 50 mg for the first couple of days and then up to 150 mg. This medication works great! It creates anxiolytic effects similar to Klonopin and relieves all my anxiety. I sleep well too. This medicine really knocks you out and makes you very sedated. Take it at night. I can actually function thanks to this medication and it works excellently for paranoia, anxiety, and depression. I also found it to work greatly for sleep. I was previously on Abilify, which was very activating and gave me a lot of anxiety. I couldn't sleep more than 1-2 hours with Abilify. On Seroquel, I sleep a full 8 hours, and I wake up refreshed and ready for the day. It controls my anxiety and works wonders. Side effects are: No sex drive and drowsiness."

8 / 10
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100 Report
  • DSR
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • April 13, 2019

"I started this drug several years ago for chronic insomnia. At first, it was a God-send. I was sleeping for 6-7 hours, when before, I was sleeping for only 2. My sleep doctor suggested it after every other sleep medication had failed. However, I began battling severe depression a couple of years ago, but I did not connect the depression with the quetiapine. I was very religious about taking 50mg of quetiapine every night. However, I screwed up and ran out one weekend. So I braced myself for a night without sleep. But the next morning, I had no depression symptoms. I started cutting the pills in half, and have been sleeping, but not having the crippling depression symptoms. Amazing... I have been battling crippling depression all this time as a side-effect of the quetiapine due to my attempts to sleep at night. Quetiapine is a powerful drug, with the potential to change lives for the better, but proceed with extreme caution!"

7 / 10
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49 Report
  • KassR
  • July 28, 2008

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) "Every day, I was very depressed or very angry for no apparent reason. It felt like my brain was all tangled, and it was really hurting me, and had been for years. So I talked with my doctor, and she put me on 200mg Seroquel. Since then, I can think clearly and feel happy. I love it. You start at 25mg and work up to higher doses. Watch out, though, if you try to start at 200mg, it can knock you out for 24 hours, or at least it knocked me out."

10 / 10
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112 Report
  • JGano
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 3, 2020

"Seroquel is definitely not for me at 25 mg. I am not sure I have bipolar disorder my symptoms are severe depression and anxiety, but I might according to some of the symptoms. I experienced confusion, could not focus, and felt I was living in a fantasy world. I also had very strange dreams. I have only been on it for 1 week but just could not handle the side effects."

1 / 10
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40 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.