Seroquel and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• A-n...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 13, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "If you have Bipolar Disorder type II, please learn as much as you can about this condition from professional, reputable sources so you can make informed decisions about treatment and management options. This is a treatable, manageable illness, take hope in that. After 20+ years struggling to 'cure' myself 'naturally' and being miserable, dangerously depressed, and dysfunctional, I finally decided to try psych medication. I found a doctor who SPECIALISES in this disorder and is up to date with the latest research findings in this specific condition. If you don't like your current GP or Psych's attitude, find someone else! I started a combo of Lamictal (AM and PM) and Seroquel (Only PM - makes you drowsy). I kept a daily mood diary, and it took 3 months for my mood to fully stabilize. To help the bipolar depression, we added bupropion and N-Acetyl Cysteine, a supplement (all based on clinical research!). For 5 years now, I’ve had my life back. Deciding to take this medication saved my life."

• rhe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I have Chronic Insomnia, Mania from Bipolar Disorder. Seroquel is effective for my insomnia and mania/mood swings. I take my 100mg dose of Seroquel at night at 9pm. I find that taking my dose at this time significantly reduces the groggy side effects in the morning, allowing me to wake up feeling refreshed and well, ready and with the energy I need to start my day. I also do not experience the Seroquel “munchies” that many report to experience. I am not a doctor or a practitioner of health and medicine, therefore, it is not my place to recommend others to take this. It is also not my place to tell others not to take it. For me, it had a very beneficial effect on my life and functionality. My experience has been positive, but it may not be for you. Also, everyone take your meds as prescribed. If you don’t feel a benefit, don’t stop it on your own terms. Express this to your doctor. They know more than you. Set alarms to make sure you take it consistently daily."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Thank you everyone for sharing your views. For those that Seroquel has helped, how many weeks did it take to feel relief from the agitation? I have been on this for a week and don't feel less agitated yet, only too drowsy to yell as much after I take it for a period."

• ilu...
• October 30, 2007

For Bipolar Disorder "After suffering all of my life with depression and then later in life (20-33) with severe anxiety, insomnia, and a general feeling of restlessness to the point I thought I was going to 'crawl the walls', I was prescribed Seroquel. I quickly found out I had to take my dose at bedtime due to being so sleepy when I took it during the day. Seroquel has been the ONLY medicine that has worked for me to ease the symptoms of my Bipolar Disorder 1. A Big Thanks to Seroquel for making life easier for me!"

• Zul...
• May 2, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I can now see my own signs of mania or depression (having had Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for six months). With that said, the meds are not miracles, and after some dialectical treatment to add to my “toolbox”, Seroquel really helps. When I am restless, having racing thoughts, and feeling moody, I feel well-balanced after about 48-72 hours of using coping skills and adding Seroquel to prevent lack of sleep, which can worsen thoughts, moods, eating, etc. For me, it’s very helpful to have self-relaxation skills to manage my reactions. I give this medication, after months of skill work, an A++. My experience is not to say it is 100% fluent to all bipolar sufferers. The good thing is that DBT is not a medication so it won’t hurt to try it as a “tool”. The side effects are mild. It does make me drowsy, and I sometimes get an oily face, yet I can accept that over extended episodes. I also have to keep drinking lots of water as dry mouth is mild and I do feel thirsty."

• Lig...
• January 31, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "The reason I'm rating this drug 10/10 is that it does not stab you in the back, and it does not ask for increased doses. It works all the time and kicks in fast, making you feel euphoric combined with sleepiness. If you stay awake more than 30 minutes after taking it, you will feel hungry. So, if you are worried about gaining weight, just take it and sleep. Find your correct dose that works well, and remember good sleep equals a good mood. If you feel sleepy the next day, that's okay, drink some coffee + 1 cup of water. And remember to do 20 minutes of exercise every day, just not before going to sleep, and you will feel better 100%."

• Dru...
• February 15, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Seroquel knocked me out so badly that I slept 18 hours. The heavy sedation effect does go away, though. It did not help at all with my schizophrenia, but it did make me put on a lot of weight. Altogether, antipsychotics have made me put on a ton of weight. I've tried many of them, and I used to weigh 160 pounds and now I am 220. So far, that's all these drugs have done to me, they should be called fat pills."

• Ela...
• February 20, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I suffer from Bipolar II, take 200 mg Lamictal daily, and was prescribed 25 mg Seroquel to take at night to help me sleep during hypomanic episodes. My psychiatrist claimed it would calm the racing thoughts, help me fall asleep, and hopefully make me think more clearly during the day. After taking it, I would still be awake for a couple of hours trying to sleep and still having racing thoughts. In the morning, I had the worst experiences trying to wake up. I wasn’t trying to wake up early or anything, like 11 on my free days, so I could sleep in, and even then I could barely open my eyes enough to turn off my alarm and would immediately fall back asleep. After finally waking up, I felt groggy and disoriented throughout the day. I couldn’t think straight and was unable to focus during my classes. Not a good experience. I only took it a few times and decided it was only having negative effects, so I stopped taking it."

• Anonymous
• November 26, 2010

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "After trying nearly every SSRI on the market, I was placed on Pristiq, which improved my condition somewhat, but still left me dependent on Xanax to alleviate my daily anxiety. After a particularly bad stretch, I was also placed on Seroquel XR. It has helped more than I could have ever hoped for. I finally don't have to reach for Xanax as soon as I wake up. It was very sedating for the first week after I started and after increasing my dosage, but this has lessened with time. I do make sure to take it before bed, as it does make me tired as it kicks in, but I welcome this due to my problems with insomnia."

• Anonymous
• April 16, 2012

For Insomnia "I am 21 and have trouble sleeping, due mostly to my depression and anxiety. I got prescribed Seroquel (50mg one before bedtime) about a year ago, and it has helped me SO MUCH in a couple of ways, INSTANTLY - helped me sleep and stay asleep. At first, a couple of weeks, I was drowsy when I woke up, but after a month or two of taking it, I wake up feeling great. (Makes sleep amazing, and I have the most vivid awesome dreams.) Over time, taking this medication has lowered my depression and anxiety. I have noticed that hard situations and emotions are much easier to handle. I can stay calm compared to always freaking out."

• wor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2021

For Schizophrenia "In the four years I've had schizophrenia, I've never really had relief from symptoms despite much effort in finding a good medication and numerous hospitalizations. I honestly felt like a hopeless case seeing as I've been on Invega, Zyprexa, Abilify, Clozaril, Rexulti, Loxapine, and Risperidol. Every single one of these medications made me extremely tired. I would sleep for days only to get up to have a meal or use the washroom. In some cases, I was sleeping 23 hours a day. But then I tried Seroquel XR. Within days, I started feeling alive again and didn't even get the sleepiness side effect. I feel so calm and clear on this drug. I now have days where I'm completely in reality, and not a thing could bother me or upset/trigger me. This medication was a literal lifesaver, an unexpected one too."

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 2, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking Seroquel for about a year, and I can honestly say I don't ever want to live without it. No other medicine had any effect on controlling my extreme mood swings and delusional/psychotic thinking. The sleepiness (which I now find very helpful) and morning fog were bothersome, but I've gladly adapted my schedule to allow 8-9 hrs sleep nightly."

• Anonymous
• August 1, 2009

For Insomnia "I am 49-year-old female with a lifetime of insomnia. I had been taking Ambien for sleep for over a decade for my insomnia but had been waking up during the night, cooking, cleaning, drawing, etc., so my doctor suggested I try 50 mg of Seroquel instead. I've been taking it for two weeks now, and I am sleeping and waking alert (YES!) and not semi-foggy...you all know that feeling, right? An added benefit is I am less anxious throughout the day."

• ins...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 10, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "Took for bipolar. Good side effects: more or less consistently put me to sleep every night. Bad side effects: gained roughly 20 lbs 6 months in, had a difficult time getting up every day, needed more sleep than usual. It helped for a while, but it mostly made my episodes less severe, did not effectively stop or prevent them."

• Anonymous
• July 5, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "This medicine is great for sleep and helping anxiety, but if you have responsibilities, work, school, kids, ANYTHING, then be prepared. I am only on 100mg and although I feel calmer and not so irritable, I just feel sort of drowsed and no motivation to do anything, not even simple things like taking a shower or making something to eat. I woke up this morning needing to go to the bathroom and it seemed like an overwhelming task and I was stumbling around like when you are drunk. If you don't have to work or answer to anyone, then it's fine because you can just space out and not have such negative emotions and feel better."

• Poo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 13, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve been on Seroquel for years-150 mg at night to sleep. I combine it with 50 mg Trazodone and 0.5 mg of Klonopin. I sleep through the night and I can deal with my anxiety and bipolar 1. Diagnosed 22 years ago and tried just about every other drug suggested. This works-I get 8-9 hours of sleep a night. I’m a bit groggy in the morning, but it’s worth it to be stable and functional."

• Lea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 4, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on this medication for years. The only things that aren't fun are the drowsiness and the increased appetite, but this medication's side effects don't affect me nearly as much as other medications I've taken."

• shu...
• June 1, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "This drug Seroquel made me feel like a zombie. Sure, it would make me feel 'normal,' but it would completely knock me out. I was with some friends, and I was going to give them a ride home from my house and accidentally took my medication too early, and I literally passed out, and they had to get a ride from a friend. I was only at a 50 mg dose. This medication was just not for me. I take Latuda now, which made me really drowsy when I first started taking it, but I have since gotten over it."

• Rom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 5, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "After later years of my adolescence and early adulthood, I was finally diagnosed (bipolar) and prescribed Seroquel along with lithium. Not only did I finally feel a sense of peace within myself, but I found that I no longer engaged in the reckless activity that I seemed to have no control over. This behavior, which caused so much grief and upset, nearly caused the breakdown between my family and nearly destroyed myself. It does not get rid of my depression completely, but they are not as bad, and I find I can cope, whereas in the past, I couldn't. I find that it's best to take it before bed as it makes me very drowsy, which I find a good thing because, in the past, I found it very difficult to sleep. Hope this helps."

• Nui...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 21, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Very drowsy for the first week of taking it, but once your body gets used to it, it is a great mood stabilizer. I've been on it 6 years, and it calms the edginess and irritability with bipolar. Also makes you sleep like a rock. My weight only changed when lithium was added to my meds. No significant weight gain for me. If I go a few days without it, I notice I'm on edge constantly."

• cou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2013

For Schizophrenia "I was prescribed this for paranoid psychosis and depression. At first, I was to take a half of a 100 mg tablet at night for a week, then raise to the whole pill. After taking the half the first night at eight and feeling drunk, I decided this might not be for me, so I cut the half in half and take a quarter pill a night. It has helped me sleep and seems to curve my overthinking things and thinking that every comment or conversation on social media is about me. I think also by getting off social media altogether, it also helped my situation. But overall good medication, it's the only thing I take."

• jus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 24, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 1 about 8 months ago. My doctor put me on Seroquel 100 mg. I do have to take it at night due to the drowsiness it causes. It has made a dramatic change in the racing thoughts and negative self-image I felt. I've also had a marked change in my insomnia. I was misdiagnosed for a number of years and couldn't understand why the other meds didn't make a difference. I wake up feeling rested. I did have some vivid dreams when I first began taking it. I also get the munchies, but they have subsided considerably in the last month or two and have dropped almost 20 pounds. This is magical as far as I'm concerned! As well as the Seroquel, I also take 20 mg of Lexapro and 600 mg of Neurontin every night. Thanks!!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 5, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel has been very helpful with sleep, and I also noticed some mood stabilization in combination with Lamictal and sometimes Klonopin. Sometimes it is overly sedating, but taking it a couple of hours before normally going to sleep is important for me so that I don't feel drowsy the next day. I did not notice any weight gain on it. My doctor started me on 50 mg, which was good for sedation, but no major difference in mood. 100 mg does make a difference in lowering my anxiety and some mood stabilization with my other medications, but sometimes she recommends me to take 200 mg to reduce mania from flaring up when it starts. Overall, this med has been useful for Bipolar 1 for me."

• Kat...
• May 8, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel helps both manic and depressive symptoms, however, it is much better when combined with other mood-stabilizing medications. Good for providing sleep, but it can be too sedating until you get used to it (just take it consistently and stick with it). Slight raise in appetite for carbs but nothing a healthy diet and exercise can't counteract, which is what you should be doing if you have a serious mental illness anyway. A good first medicine to try, because it's a mood stabilizer (for both types of episodes), antipsychotic, sleep medication, and anxiolytic! It's great for controlling anxiety and making you feel calmer and means you don't have to take Valium or sleeping pills, which can be addictive-whereas Seroquel is NOT addictive."

• yor...
• September 29, 2008

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I'm three weeks into taking 200 mg of Seroquel along with my usual Effexor. I was prescribed it off-label to help with the mood swings I get from being borderline. For the first time in years, I am not full of anxiety. I sleep longer, am able to exercise in public without feeling self-conscious, am eating more healthy foods, although still too much of them. The drowsiness was awful initially but has mostly disappeared now."