Quetiapine for sleep?

Question

Hey,

I am supposed to take quetiapine as a sleeping aid in 3 weeks.

I have NO psychosis/schizophrenia and it is not given to me as a neuroleptic, which it actually is, but really because of my non-organic insomnia (sleep disorders)

I'm supposed to take a maximum of 50mg, and then we'll adjust the dose so that I can get up well in the morning without suffering from the medication-induced fatigue…but now my questions…

Does anyone have experience taking quetiapine as a sleeping aid or do they know anyone who has experience taking quetiapine as a sleeping aid?

What are the side effects that are MOST LIKELY to occur?

I will probably gain weight at this dose (a possible side effect is weight gain). What does a 50mg dose look like before bed, for sleeping?

Can you drive with it the next morning?

Is there any long-term damage?

Thank you in advance:)

Greetings

1akob · Answer

What about melatonin for taking? Isn't that always the first choice?

dr3adnaughty · Answer

Full of the shred you feel the next day as if you hadn't slept 💀

stowaway · Answer

Some wonder that this was prescribed to you - because Quetiapine is an atypical neuroleptic that is used for treating schizophrenia and manic and depressive episodes that occur, among other things, in bipolar disorder.

basel313 · Answer

Hey! I also take from time to time 25 mg of Quetiapine as a sleep aid. Help me well and feel no side effects. Good luck!

spiritoso · Answer

Quetiapine has a long list of side effects and many of them can disrupt your sleep.

It is often prescribed in low doses as a sleeping agent, about 25 to 50 mg.

But the effect is controversial. It's actually an antidepressant. For anxiety and depression.

And it's addictive.

rapunzel324 · Answer

If your doctor gave you the medicine, you should also take it. Side effects may, but need not occur.

Quetiapine > Seroquel can in rare cases extend the QT time in the ECG. On the basis of this, a control ECG should be written occasionally in the case of continuous administration.

fcbfan1972 · Answer

Quetiapine (trade name: Seroquel) is often prescribed as a sleep aid in low doses, although it is originally an antipsychotic developed for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Its use as a sleep aid is often off-label, meaning outside of its approved indications, and in lower doses (eg, 25–50 mg) to take advantage of its sedative effect.

Dosage :

At low doses (eg, 25–50 mg, often used as a sleep aid), many people feel tired or have residual sedation in the morning. This can impair reaction time and alertness.
At higher doses the effects are usually more severe.

2.Individual reaction :

Some people wake up feeling refreshed and barely affected. Others experience drowsiness, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating.
If you have just started taking quetiapine, you should first test how you feel the next morning before driving.

3.Legal regulations :

In Germany and many other countries, driving under the influence of medication that impairs your ability to drive can have legal consequences. An accident could be considered "negligent" if quetiapine was proven to have been involved.

4.Long-term damage from quetiapine

Long-term use of quetiapine, even at low doses, may carry potential risks. The most common possible long-term effects include:

Weight gain and metabolic problems :

Increased risk of type 2 diabetes and lipid metabolism disorders.

2.Cardiovascular problems :

Prolonged QT interval in the ECG, which can cause cardiac arrhythmias.

3.Neurological effects :

Rare: Tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movements).
Fatigue or “drowsy” feeling with long-term use.

4.Hormonal changes :

Increase in prolactin levels (rare at lower doses, more common at higher doses).

5.Withdrawal symptoms :

If you stop taking the medication suddenly, you may experience insomnia, restlessness, or other withdrawal symptoms.

Recommendations

Driving : Wait to see how your body reacts before driving. If in doubt, discuss this with your doctor.
Long-term use : If quetiapine is used for longer than a few weeks or months, regular medical check-ups (weight, blood sugar, ECG) should be carried out.

If you are unsure, you should ask your doctor for an individual assessment.

samm1917 · Answer

Quetiapine is very often used for treating sleep disorders. The drug is approved to treat schizophrenic psychosis, bipolar disorders and depression. The sleeping side effects of Quetiapine are therefore useful.

In sleep disorders, the drug is taken in non-retarded form and dosed significantly deeper than in official indications. The usual dose for sleep disorders is 25-50 mg. For comparison: for psychoses and mania it is 400-800mg.

Even at low doses, the side effects mentioned in the package leaflet can occur. Often, however, significantly weaker than at high doses. Very common side effects (more than 10% of all consumers affected) of Quetiapine are dizziness, headaches, muscle contractions, dry mouth, and high blood sugar. These usually go back after a few weeks. In addition, there is a possible increase in weight which, however, remains for the duration of the entire treatment, provided that it is deafened.

On the following day, a temporary residual fatigue can remain, but this disappears relatively quickly. In principle, quetiapine has a very reliable effect on sleeping.

Still my personal experience: Quetiapine has a good sleep-promoting and also mood-stabilizing effect with me. With the time I got used to the drug, but a relatively large residual effect remained. The problem is more that Quetiapine cannot cure. If you put the drug off, the sleep disorders are back. Over the past even stronger than before.

butterfly123778 · Answer

What about natural means like a good mineral complex and aminos? Have you tried? No TV etc and exercise during the day in the fresh air. Drugs with side effects would definitely not be my choice.