Quetiapine and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• Baf...
• January 19, 2021

For Insomnia "I have been prescribed 25mg quetiapine for sleep and am baffled as to how the people who are prescribed 100mg a day could remain conscious? After being on this for 2 years, I am still totally knocked out by one 25mg tablet. Most nights, I take half a tab or less. I haven’t noticed any increased tolerance in the time I have been on it. Anyway, can someone tell me, is my reaction abnormal? If not, how do any of you on doses of 50, 100, up to 800 stay awake? Once I take 25mg, that’s it, I am gonna sleep, like it or not. I have read that it is prescribed in doses up to 800mg for bipolar and thought omg if someone with bipolar was prescribed it at the doses I read (around 250mg) and they reacted like me, they would literally be incapable of functioning at all. So I was just curious, if you have bipolar, does bipolar, by its nature, mean you have a much higher tolerance or different reaction? Or is my reaction to 25mg abnormal?"

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 9, 2021

For Insomnia "I would like to share the fact that this drug is prescribed for sleep at 25-50 mg maximum because the lower strength it acts like antihistamine, similar to sleep ease or other sleep meds that cause drowsiness. If used at stronger doses, it can engage not sleep favourable conditions, such as why it is used for depression and psychosis on label. I am a male weighing 210 lbs and take between 12.5 to a maximum of 25 mg. 25 knocks me out for 12-14 hours, 12.5 mg for more like 8 hours. I have studied this drug extensively and in most people (not all), it does not help sleep at higher doses. It can cause increased blood glucose at doses higher than 50 mg. Other negative effects are also shown in doses over 50 mg. I refer to a large study done recently in 2021."

• Sle...
• January 2, 2021

For Insomnia "I was prescribed Quetiapine 25 mg for insomnia, however, I found out that it is not a sleeping pill because it’s for depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety. It has sedative side effects, so I guess that’s why it was prescribed to me for sleep. This pill causes me to sleep half the day and feel like a zombie the other half of the day. I don’t know how anyone can take this and work or take care of any responsibilities. I told my doctor that I can’t take this. Very disappointing that she prescribed this for me."

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

Quetiapine 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."

• Ins...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 29, 2021

For Insomnia "I went on Seroquel 6 years ago because I mentioned to my psychiatrist on a visit that I wasn’t sleeping well. She prescribed 150 ER, and it knocked me out at night. And reading the other reviews, I get what they are saying about the next day drowsiness. I'm now up to 300 mg ER, but I have to take it 3 hours before I go to sleep so it times out right. HOWEVER, even though it says it’s not addictive, I cannot sleep without it. I don’t want to be on sleeping medications forever. I’ve gone 5 days with no sleep when trying to quit. DO NOT TAKE! They are lying about its dependency!"

• sto...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've had anxiety, panic, and depression for 8 months. It's been hell. SSRIs are scary to me, and I had a bad experience with one. I searched non-SSRI and found Quetiapine, which is the generic Seroquel. I take 25mg during the day, sometimes twice a day, and 1x25mg at night before bed. Helps calm down the anxiety so I can sleep at night and function at work during the day. No bad side effects. Small doses almost act like a heavy antihistamine. Makes me a little drowsy, but it's worth it to be able to function. If you're suffering from anxiety, don't be scared to take this medication! Do yourself a favor and just be brave and do it. You will feel better. Nobody wants to take pills, but sometimes enough is enough and we need help."

• Sun...
• November 19, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I first started this medication (quetiapine) about a week ago. The first two days on it I felt like a complete zombie - I didn't leave my bed for two days and did not eat a single thing. I started this medication on the weekend, so I didn't feel weird while I was at work. Fast forward to Monday - I got into work and I could not concentrate as my brain felt foggy, and reading my emails felt like the biggest struggle. After the day had passed, I had noticed that I wasn't as anxious as I normally am. During the first full week on this, I felt great. I wasn't anxious (if I was, it was very minimal) and I wasn't angry for no apparent reason anymore. Now, two weeks later - all of my symptoms are back and feel way worse. I wake up with terrible anxiety - so bad that I contemplate calling into work because I'm not able to control my breathing. My mood swings are terrible, the smallest things trigger me, and I just overall am feeling bad again. Has this happened to anyone else?"

• Mer...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 12, 2020

For Insomnia "I have been on Quetiapine for sleep for about 3 years. Started at a low dose but increased up to 200mg, which I have been on for about 2 years. I get sleepy about 20 minutes after my dose and can sleep a full 8 hours. It has been a complete game changer for me."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2021

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I’ve been taking 25mg of Quetiapine at night for a month. I was wary of the weight gain, however, I have not gained any weight. I do watch what I eat and walk for around 30 mins to 1 hr every day. I think it’s best to take it at night as it does make you very sleepy. I do feel some slight hunger, so it’s best to take it at night to avoid urges to eat or overeat. In terms of mental health, it has completely changed my life. I went from crying for hours a day and torturing myself with overthinking, to finally being able to feel grounded and live my life like a ‘normal’ person. I haven’t changed, and I’m not ‘doped’ out all the time as some people may imagine when someone takes a drug like this. I actually feel positive about my life, and it has allowed me to have some hope for overcoming BPD or managing my symptoms. I would definitely recommend this drug. However, I am aware that people have different reactions, but for me, it’s been very beneficial, and I hope my review can help someone else too."

• MBa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 7, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Best drug/antidepressant I've taken for my generalized anxiety. Originally started taking 12.5mg a couple of years ago for insomnia. Now I take 25mg in the morning and 25mg in the evening. It took about 5 days to have a noticeable effect on my anxiety. My compulsive worrying now feels controllable and I feel much calmer. It's the only antidepressant I've taken without experiencing major side effects, other than some grogginess at first. I came off it for 3 months without withdrawal symptoms after a year, so don't be afraid to try it! I'm 21."

• 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."

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

Quetiapine 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

Quetiapine 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."

• Wan...
• February 7, 2014

Quetiapine for Depression "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."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 19, 2019

For Insomnia "I've been taking 12.5 to 25 mg quite frequently for insomnia I've had for decades. It works like a charm. No weight gain, etc. I am groggy when I wake up, but coffee takes care of it. I hope it works this well the rest of my life."

• ilu...
• October 30, 2007

Quetiapine 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!"

• nar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 19, 2019

For Insomnia "I've been using a dose of 25 mg quetiapine for sleep for 4 years. Combined with a low-carb diet, I haven't gained any weight. The medication does cause a bit of drowsiness if taken late. Taken before 10:30 pm, I can be sleeping by 11:30 and up by 8 am with limited grogginess. It's been a cheap, reliable, and non-addictive medication for me, but I'm hoping there are no long-term complications!"

• nar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 19, 2019

For Insomnia "I've been using a dose of 25 mg quetiapine for sleep for 4 years. Combined with a low-carb diet, I haven't gained any weight. The medication does cause a bit of drowsiness if taken late. Taken before 10:30 pm, I can be sleeping by 11:30 and up by 8 am with limited grogginess. It's been a cheap, reliable, and non-addictive medication for me, but I'm hoping there are no long-term complications!"

• Zul...
• May 2, 2020

Quetiapine 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."

• Tea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2019

For Insomnia "After suffering from insomnia for decades and having tried everything under the sun, including homeopathic remedies, I decided to give an antipsychotic drug a try. It works amazingly well - I have never slept for 8 hours since I was a teen. This allows me to SLEEP. Yes, it does make you feel groggy in the morning, but I split my 25 mg tablet into halves or quarters, and then the grogginess is not an issue!"

• Tha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2013

For Insomnia "It's a wonderful knockout punch if everything else has failed, or if you've taken something like Ambien and it stops working. For me, Ambien was great until it stopped working. I then tried Trazodone but that didn't help much. Seroquel is an antipsychotic but at small doses (25-50mg) it only hits histamine receptors so it's like a large dose of Benadryl - but much better than Benadryl. The only downside is that it is a little hard to get out of bed the next day, but you will sleep like a bear so it's worth it. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half to kick in and 25 mg does the trick for me. Also, there is no weight gain at small doses so that's nice too."

• Cla...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 6, 2019

For Insomnia "I don't know what I would do without Seroquel for sleep. I have bipolar 1 and have not had an episode in about 5 years, which I attribute to taking Seroquel for sleep and having a bit of lithium in my system, along with a low dose of Ritalin in the morning for depression. I take 25 mg of Seroquel to sleep at night, I know most people need more. I only sleep about 2-3 hours at night without it. I have gained and lost about 10 lbs on it. If I take it before going straight to bed, I get a serious case of the munchies. Just take it and try to get right to bed and don't fight the med and eat. It takes about an hour for the Seroquel to digest for me. If I am really restless, I take 50 mg to sleep and it makes me feel drowsy in the morning."

• Sax...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 23, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been an active drug user my whole life, and I was diagnosed with psychosis and an anxiety disorder. I highly recommend this medicine for psychosis. Within two weeks of taking it, I felt my brain chemistry changing, and it's currently changing my life for the better each day. Works well for anxiety too, it calms my nerves down and puts me to sleep. Don't know where I'd be without Seroquel :)"

• JPa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2019

For Insomnia "I’m going to give a short version of my journey the past year. I went into inpatient therapy twice while trying to figure out what was going on with me. During that time, I was put on seroquel to help me sleep. I take 50mg every night. It doesn’t always put me right to sleep, but it helps me find sleep. I haven’t had any trouble with nightmares, and honestly, I’ve had better dreams since taking it. All in all, I personally have had a decent experience. The only downsides I’ve seen are feeling super sleepy when trying to get out of bed and feeling terribly hungry if I don’t go to bed pretty quickly after taking it. If you read all of this, thanks. I hope if you're prescribed it, it helps you."

• Lig...
• January 31, 2018

Quetiapine 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%."