Quetiapine and Brain Fog: What Users Say

• Sad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2021

For Insomnia "I have been taking the generic Seroquel for 3 months. I am up to a 50mg dose at night. It does make you have very vivid dreams, some scary lifelike, and I am a zombie most of the day. I get up maybe once and try to eat everything in the house too. Gaining weight!! I wonder if that will go away? Any thoughts on that? I do also take Klonopin and Effexor for panic attacks and depression. My doctor put me on the Seroquel for a mood stabilizer and sleep too. My mother took Seroquel XR for years. Her doctor took her off it because it made her a diabetic. She had a lot of trouble sleeping for months. I take the tablets only. Good luck to everyone."

• KKa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 27, 2019

For Insomnia "This specific medication has a bit of an angel/devil quality to it. In the previous posts, I see the possibility for some confused/misdiagnosed causes of insomnia. In bipolar people, regular prescription sleep aids don't really work because bipolar individuals can't sleep due to their brains having a hard time turning off or turning on very quickly. I took 600mg of Seroquel for years, and it worked well to control the associated symptoms as it is an atypical antipsychotic with a mood stabilizing quality (the ONLY med of its kind), but put me in a 'fog'. After coming off the high dose for 2 or 3 years and suffering from bad insomnia, I asked to go on a low dose of Seroquel to get some sleep. My psychiatrist gave me 50mg, and it's working well. It's gonna work for some people, and it'll be a nightmare for others. Make sure you're being prescribed this medication by a psychiatrist NOT a GP or any other doc that can't validate why they choose to give you an atypical antipsychotic for sleep. Best wishes."

• Ela...
• February 20, 2020

Seroquel (quetiapine) 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."

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

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was prescribed 25 mg of quetiapine as an alternative to Valiums to treat my recent worsening anxiety, and I can honestly say that I have never felt worse in my entire life. I’ve only been on it for four days and have already experienced brain fog and really dark thoughts. I have, however, noticed that it helps ‘contain’ my anxiety, but to an extent where I feel nothing, that it’s making me more depressed. I don’t know if it’s normal to feel this way after less than a week of taking this medication? I’ve previously been on mirtazapine around a year ago, and quetiapine gives me similar effects such as weight gain, suicidal thoughts, depression, and brain fog. I’m returning to my doctor to make a note of that and will never go near this medication ever again."

• bla...
• October 15, 2013

For Insomnia "I started taking 100mg a night 9 years ago, lowered my dose almost immediately to 75mg, a year or two later down to 50, and as of the past 10 months down to 25 a night. It works EVERY night. I get perfect sleep. I do sometimes find the urge to binge on food right before it knocks me out but not always, especially at the lower dose. Higher doses I would always binge eat. Although I'm lucky because I'm a 26-year-old male who weighs 120 pounds healthy weight for my height. Seroquel is a wonderful medication if you need the sleep. I used to get a sort of 'zombie' feeling in the morning and be slightly irritable, but nowadays not so much. A cup of coffee and I'm good to go."

• Iss...
• November 10, 2015

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) for Depression "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 8 months ago (I'm 19), but I do not have that. Instead, I have BPD and depression. I was taking olanzapine, which took away my entire life - I could barely do anything. But for the past 2 days with Seroquel, it has almost the opposite effect. Together with Prozac, I have felt more motivated and less suicidal. Also, I'm able to control my anxiety, and I have more control over my behavior. I also have trouble focusing, but this has helped me focus on therapy a lot more. Sleep is not great, but I'm only on 25mg; I only sleep for about 6-7 hours and then wake up and keep going back to sleep. This is the first drug that's given me hope."

• Pai...
• November 15, 2013

For Depression "This is the best medicine I've come across. I was diagnosed with depression at 14, and I'm now 17. I had previously been on Pristiq, Prozac, and Valium. I was put on 200 mg of Seroquel during an inpatient stay at a psychiatric clinic. It's true, there are ridiculous amounts of side effects. For me, I had the hungover feeling, weight gain, a zombie feeling during the day, lack of focus, and a lot of aggression. However, I don't have these side effects anymore through therapy and doing the opposite of a symptom, for example, no weight gain by exercising. I still sleep like a baby, my moods are pretty level, and I feel HAPPY. All I can say is you cannot expect a medicine like this to work overnight and without yourself putting in effort!"

• Pai...
• November 15, 2013

For Depression "This is the best medicine I've come across. I was diagnosed with depression at 14, and I'm now 17. I had previously been on Pristiq, Prozac, and Valium. I was put on 200 mg of Seroquel during an inpatient stay at a psychiatric clinic. It's true, there are ridiculous amounts of side effects. For me, I had the hungover feeling, weight gain, a zombie feeling during the day, lack of focus, and a lot of aggression. However, I don't have these side effects anymore through therapy and doing the opposite of a symptom, for example, no weight gain by exercising. I still sleep like a baby, my moods are pretty level, and I feel HAPPY. All I can say is you cannot expect a medicine like this to work overnight and without yourself putting in effort!"

• Arr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2015

Seroquel XR (quetiapine) for Depression "My experience on Seroquel nearly cost me my job as it turned me into a zombie! Since going off the drug, I am fully functional. My head is clear and I have energy to do things. I cannot believe my doctor prescribed me an antipsychotic drug such as Seroquel. Colleagues observing me thought I had undergone a major personality disorder. I have been off it for a month now and not missing it one bit."

• Pat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 12, 2013

Seroquel (quetiapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I suffer from mainly depression and anxiety. I have had a few bouts of hypomania. This was recommended to me to help with anxiety and mood swings. Within an hour of taking this medicine, I was always somewhat buzzed and not in a good way. It felt like you had to lie down and sleep, or you would become extremely irritable. The sleep was great on it, however, you wake up in a fog for hours, usually until dinner time for me. It really flattens you out, so you don't feel much, just emotionless and tired. I took anywhere from 50 to 200 mg, and the result was the same. I am off now and trying safer meds. Seroquel wasn't for me, but I'm glad it helps millions, though!"

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started on 25 mg of quetiapine in the morning and at night for anxiety. It was not doing much last week, so I got put on three 25 mg daily! Tuesday of this week, I was in so much panic and nerve damage pain, he has put it up again to 50 mg three times a day! Now I can't sleep, feel confused, and spaced out! I am a single parent of a 7-year-old daughter, and I now feel like a vegetable! Does anyone else out there have any ideas, please?"

• Rox...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Just started quetiapine 3 nights ago for generalized anxiety. So far, I haven't been in any anxiety situations, so not sure if it works or not. The first 2 days, I was a zombie in the day, even after 9/10 hours of sleep. I am only on 12.5 mg at night. Hopefully, it works as I was on Wellbutrin for 4 weeks, and that stuff was horrible for me, it gave me the worst anxiety, where I was downing Ativan daily! Which I never do, as my anxiety isn't every day. I go back to my doctor next week to report in if it is working or not. Fingers crossed it does its job!!!"

• Ted...
• December 24, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Prescribed by shrink for insomnia and anxiety when I was having a terrible time trying to get off benzos. Has worked very well, albeit I have stuck on the same dose of benzodiazepines on advice, i.e., not come down any more. It's great for going to sleep and not waking up at 4 a.m. worried about stuff. Yes, it makes you a bit drowsy, and you do eat more. It reminds me of the munchies. Best thing is just to go to bed. I wanted to say, though, that the dose is critical. For sleep, the dose is very low. I take 12.5 mg. I went up to 25 mg and was a zombie, it was horrible. If you have a shitty time, try halving the dose. I know it does different things at different levels, and maybe if you took a whole lot more, then it would work in a different way."

• Don...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 27, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "This medicine has been just wonderful for me. I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and an anxiety disorder. It really calms my racing thoughts and smooths me out. I have been on many different doses, all the way up to 800 mg. I don't know why doctors sometimes insist on overkill. Anyway, the magic dose for me is 200 mg at bedtime. It keeps me calmed down, and my anxiety stays in check all the next day. I have been taking it for three years, and I don't get the brain fog or sleepiness effect anymore. I use 10 mg of Ambien to help me sleep. It does okay, but the combination doesn't 'knock me out' like it does some people. Overall, Seroquel is great for me, but it is very rough on others. It is worth a try at least."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 4, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "This is an interesting medication. The first 2-4 weeks can be tricky. I found that it does have a sedative effect and was amazing for sleeping. It did also make me agitated/jumpy if I took a higher dose (weirdly, paracetamol or ibuprofen lowered this effect). Can be helpful to try a lower dose and see the difference. I did feel foggy and had trouble concentrating the first month. Your body does need to get used to it, then I saw major improvements in mood and reduction in depression and anxiety. It is good because it immediately reduces extreme anxiety (compared to SSRIs and SNRIs) and then kicks in to help over the longer time. I would use it in conjunction with working with a psychologist. If you're going through anxiety or depression, this medication is a much better option than benzos or SSRIs or SNRIs."

• ken...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2019

For Insomnia "I've had severe insomnia for dozens of years and have tried everything, including CBT-Insomnia treatment, good sleep hygiene, and a stack of meds (about 20 over time, including insomnia and off-label uses). The Seroquel has been a lifesaver (I am 71 and have a number of medical issues, not depression or psychosis). In the three months I have taken it, I have slept throughout the night (except to get up to pee a few times a night) EVERY night. I'm taking 100 mg at bedtime and sometimes have to take a 25 mg dose if I wake up and can't fall asleep in 20 minutes. No more brain fog, and I have gained one or two pounds, but I think that may be more from alcohol consumption."

• lal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 7, 2022

Seroquel (quetiapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I once rated this medication highly for my initial positive experience with it. I now believe that is only because it helps me sleep. Once I got up to 200 mg, I felt like a zombie and experienced some other concerning symptoms. When I expressed my concerns, I was told that this was a 'baby dose,' and they intended to still increase from there. I disagreed. I have weaned down to a sleeping aid dose and intend to decrease from there and get off this stuff. It's terribly addicting. When I was at 200 mg, I used to experience withdrawal-like symptoms if I was accidentally late to take my nightly dose: splitting headaches, shaking. I've seen some say it can be dangerous to not have an exact time each day it is taken, but this was never expressed to me by the psychiatrists who prescribed me. This is not an opiate, but there's a reason some people sell this and call it 'baby heroin.' If you get prescribed it for sleeping, it did help with that."

• Ins...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 3, 2017

For Insomnia "I have had a great experience with Seroquel. I have always had trouble falling asleep and getting fixated on noises and thoughts. I have been on 5mg melatonin for years and had been taking Benadryl. I asked my doctor to try Seroquel. The first night I took 25mg and slept so good but was in a daze and foggy the next day. So I split it and took 12.5mg ever since, and it has been life-changing. I take it an hour before bedtime and still take the melatonin as well. I don't have any side effects and sleep wonderfully."

• dev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2019

For Depression "I went on Seroquel for psychotic depression. I also suffer from ADHD, and I'm on stimulants. I've been on it for a few months now, and I've just started school, and the brain fog has really been screwing me over academically. Other than that, it's helpful, but far too sedating. I've done horribly in all my assessments despite studying because it's like my brain isn't working. My teachers are all concerned about my performance. I take a dose of 300 mg. I haven't had much weight gain, but I feel really stiff all the time. I've constantly been late to school and passing out because of this med, so I can't even show up to school. It works pretty well, but it's way too sedating and neutralizes all my thoughts. Switching from XR to IR somewhat helped, but I'm still having a ton of issues."

• Igg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2019

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been on slow-release quetiapine for about 2 months for OCD. Completely removes rumination right up until a couple of hours before the dose. I sleep really well, but if I take it after 4 PM, I have trouble rising for work, and I am in a fog most of the next day. A real help, and I am so much more focused, others have noticed. Highly recommended."

• Joh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 21, 2021

For Depression "I take 700 mg of quetiapine daily as it’s the only way of preventing me from harming myself. It’s like being mentally awake in a sleeping body. I have been on this dosage for years and no sign of this decreasing while my mental state continues the way it is. I was a fit, sporty guy before taking it and now feel like a zombie."

• GAD...
• April 20, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "First, I was on instant-release Seroquel, which helped somewhat at 50-100 mg doses. It gave me tachycardia, so I switched to the XR version. Been now at 200 mg, and my anxiety has improved. A little bit foggy and sedated sometimes. Will try to lower the dose to 150 mg and see if it helps."

• Vir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I just started taking 100 mg quetiapine to help me sleep. Only been on it for 5 days. I suffer from anxiety-sometimes severe, depression-sometimes severe, and severe pain from severe osteoarthritis, severe back pain from multiple surgeries, and degenerative disc disease. Anyway, thus far, quetiapine seems to help me sleep somewhat. Still waking up too early, averaging 4 hours of sleep per night, and I feel really foggy. Not sure what to do because I was taking trazodone, which helped me sleep but was nasty stuff. So from a lot of reviews I've read here, it seems quetiapine affects a lot of people differently. I'm so scared of it, yet I'm exhausted from lack of sleep, which causes me more anxiety and depression. I've not gotten a decent night's sleep in months. Any suggestions?"

• app...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2019

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I've been taking Seroquel 100 mg at night and Wellbutrin 200 mg in the morning for about a month for borderline personality disorder. I was previously taking Seroquel 50 mg and Wellbutrin 200 mg, but was still having problems. My mood is overall better. I have more energy and am more talkative and not as fearful. I don't read into things as much. When I do get upset, the reaction is much less severe. I still have some racing thoughts when triggered, but the severity is less. I seem to forget things almost instantaneously at times, though, which makes conversation and focusing a bit difficult. My husband says things have been going well with us for a while now. That's really something since that hasn't happened in our marriage ever before. What's helped also is learning CBT skills."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 2, 2022

Seroquel (quetiapine) for Bipolar Disorder "Worst medication I have ever been on. If you want to test how a lobotomy feels, try Seroquel. When I first started on a lower dose for sleeping, which was fine. I didn’t find it very helpful but it did help increase my appetite as I was underweight. If you are on 25 mg for anxiety/depression/insomnia, do not let your doctor increase this dosage. Every time my psychiatrist saw me, he increased my dosage more and more. After about two years of having my dosage increased every month or two, I began having serious side effects. I felt like a zombie, caused a lot of relationship issues as I wasn’t able to hold a conversation. It’s like I lost all my opinions and could no longer think for myself. Lost all creativity, which worsened my depression as I am a designer. I eventually was taken off it when I was taken to the hospital for losing control over my body. I lost all bladder control and would wet my pants frequently. Developed tardive dyskinesia. In the end, I was on 300 mg."