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Does Seroquel Act As An Anti-depressant?
Question: Does 100mg seroquel / night act as an anti depressant?
Brief Answer:
yes it is true
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
Yes it is true that seroquel at lower dosages have anti deprassant properties. Generally the antidepressant dose is 100 to 300 mg while the antipsychotic dose is 400 to 800 mg.
I hope this answers your question.
if you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.
Dr Ashok Kumar
yes it is true
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
Yes it is true that seroquel at lower dosages have anti deprassant properties. Generally the antidepressant dose is 100 to 300 mg while the antipsychotic dose is 400 to 800 mg.
I hope this answers your question.
if you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.
Dr Ashok Kumar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
How long would it take 100mg to take effect as antibdepressant
Brief Answer:
The usual duration is two to four weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
The usual required duration of act for seroquel is two to four weeks as an antidepressant. In case it does not show desired improvement than it is essential to increase dose to higher side. 300 mg after two weeks and than 300 mg after an interval of another two weeks. The interval of two weeks is most commonly practiced although few psychiatrist wait for another two weeks before increment.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards
The usual duration is two to four weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
The usual required duration of act for seroquel is two to four weeks as an antidepressant. In case it does not show desired improvement than it is essential to increase dose to higher side. 300 mg after two weeks and than 300 mg after an interval of another two weeks. The interval of two weeks is most commonly practiced although few psychiatrist wait for another two weeks before increment.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Why does depression cause insomnia?
Brief Answer:
Because of disturbance in neurotransmitter
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back to HCM.
Although the precise mechanism is not properly known but the proposed mechanism of insomnia in depression is disturbance in neurotransmitters in various part of brain. You might be aware that serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine have abnormal concentration (low in some areas and high in few other areas) which results is almost all symptoms of depression including insomnia.
I hope this answers your question.
Thanks and regards
Because of disturbance in neurotransmitter
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back to HCM.
Although the precise mechanism is not properly known but the proposed mechanism of insomnia in depression is disturbance in neurotransmitters in various part of brain. You might be aware that serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine have abnormal concentration (low in some areas and high in few other areas) which results is almost all symptoms of depression including insomnia.
I hope this answers your question.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Does the insomnia ever resolve?
Brief Answer:
Yes
Detailed Answer:
The insomnia resolves with treatment of depression and with disappearance of other symptoms off depression insomnia also resolves.
In few cases the insomnia is independent entity (comorbid with depression) and in those cases there may be need for separate treatment even after treatment of depression.
Thanks and regards
Yes
Detailed Answer:
The insomnia resolves with treatment of depression and with disappearance of other symptoms off depression insomnia also resolves.
In few cases the insomnia is independent entity (comorbid with depression) and in those cases there may be need for separate treatment even after treatment of depression.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
How long does depressive episode last?
Brief Answer:
Hello
Detailed Answer:
The average duration of depressive episode is 6 to 11 months in majority of sufferers. But at the individual level it can last upto 24 months if not treated.
Thanks and regards
Hello
Detailed Answer:
The average duration of depressive episode is 6 to 11 months in majority of sufferers. But at the individual level it can last upto 24 months if not treated.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What are other common causes of insomnia
Brief Answer:
The list is endless.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The list is endless. It can be said that any psychiatric, neurological or medical disorder can lead to insomnia. It is not unusual to get insomnia without any reason for a short time.
Thanks and regards
The list is endless.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The list is endless. It can be said that any psychiatric, neurological or medical disorder can lead to insomnia. It is not unusual to get insomnia without any reason for a short time.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
During stressful marriage I developed GAD and bad insomnia. My dr dx 100mg seroquel/night. It knocks me out pretty well. But I find some days Im very drowsy. Ive been taking it 2 months no other meds & no history of mental illness
Brief Answer:
I do not understand why seroquel for GAD
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
I understand that Seroquel is good medication for insomnia, depression and psychosis and work well in conditions where other drugs fail to deliver.
But I do not understand role of Seroquel in GAD as it is not a valid indication. At the same time I must acknowledge that your doctor knows much better than me about your symptoms. It is possible that your doctor want to treat depression or insomnia rather than GAD as mentioned by you.
Feeling occasionally drowsy is acceptable but if it is constant problem you can request for some other medication which do not cause day time drowsiness. The other option is to lower down to 75 or 50 mg which is sedating dose and do not cause prolonged drowsiness.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards
I do not understand why seroquel for GAD
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
I understand that Seroquel is good medication for insomnia, depression and psychosis and work well in conditions where other drugs fail to deliver.
But I do not understand role of Seroquel in GAD as it is not a valid indication. At the same time I must acknowledge that your doctor knows much better than me about your symptoms. It is possible that your doctor want to treat depression or insomnia rather than GAD as mentioned by you.
Feeling occasionally drowsy is acceptable but if it is constant problem you can request for some other medication which do not cause day time drowsiness. The other option is to lower down to 75 or 50 mg which is sedating dose and do not cause prolonged drowsiness.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I believe he is treating insomnia & probably mild depression. But I am only on seroquel. I have a rx for ativan as needed but I never take it which he knows
Brief Answer:
I do feel the same
Detailed Answer:
I think your assumption is right as it is not effective for GAD.
Thanks and regards
I do feel the same
Detailed Answer:
I think your assumption is right as it is not effective for GAD.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I spoke to my Dr & he said I need the seroquel for sleep bc my brain is not shutting off for sleep on its own right now. He says the seroquel relaxes my mind so I can sleep. Does this make sense?
Brief Answer:
Yes it makes sense
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
Your doctor is right in saying that your brain needs something to get sleep.
I just wanted to explore the lower possible dose for you as sometime 100 mg creates problem for you in the daytime.
Thanks and regards.
Dr Ashok Kumar
Yes it makes sense
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
Your doctor is right in saying that your brain needs something to get sleep.
I just wanted to explore the lower possible dose for you as sometime 100 mg creates problem for you in the daytime.
Thanks and regards.
Dr Ashok Kumar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
I am confused about 1 thing: if seroquel is not a sleep medication & if the sleep I have on it is natural, what is it exactly doing?
Brief Answer:
It has sedation as a side effect
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to HCM.
You are right in saying that seroquel is not primarily a sleep medication but it causes sleep as a side effect. This very side effect is used for the purpose of sleep when there are other indication for its use.
For example you have depression and insomnia. So seroquel's antidepressant as well as sedative(side effect) properties used in your treatment. Hope you can see that one drug is treating two conditions at the same time although it is not a sleep medicine.
The mechanism for sleep is its anagonistic effects on cholinergic receptors a kind of neurotransmitter in brain.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards
It has sedation as a side effect
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to HCM.
You are right in saying that seroquel is not primarily a sleep medication but it causes sleep as a side effect. This very side effect is used for the purpose of sleep when there are other indication for its use.
For example you have depression and insomnia. So seroquel's antidepressant as well as sedative(side effect) properties used in your treatment. Hope you can see that one drug is treating two conditions at the same time although it is not a sleep medicine.
The mechanism for sleep is its anagonistic effects on cholinergic receptors a kind of neurotransmitter in brain.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Brief Answer:
It takes around one month after removal of stressor
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
It tries to correct the underlying cause of insomnia while forcing you to sleep. Although it forces sleep but for majority it induces a sleep architecture which appears similar to natural sleep.
For the stress induced conditions it takes around one month to resolve fully once the stressor is removed. If the stressor persists due to one or another reason it may last for longer duration say upto six months to one year.
Thanks and regards
It takes around one month after removal of stressor
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
It tries to correct the underlying cause of insomnia while forcing you to sleep. Although it forces sleep but for majority it induces a sleep architecture which appears similar to natural sleep.
For the stress induced conditions it takes around one month to resolve fully once the stressor is removed. If the stressor persists due to one or another reason it may last for longer duration say upto six months to one year.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Can a tolerance or dependancy form? Will I ever be able to sleep naturally again w out drugs
Brief Answer:
no tolerance or dependance to seroquel
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
Seroquel does not cause any dependence or tolerance even after years of use.
As I said earlier depression lasts less than one year in majority and it is quite possible that you will not need regular medications for sleep.
We can hope for the best for you.
Thanks and regards
no tolerance or dependance to seroquel
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
Seroquel does not cause any dependence or tolerance even after years of use.
As I said earlier depression lasts less than one year in majority and it is quite possible that you will not need regular medications for sleep.
We can hope for the best for you.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks. My dr thinks my issue is situational/environmental . Why do some patients need antidepressants for life and others only for certain periods?
Brief Answer:
Depends on underlying cause of depression
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
The need of antidepressants duration depends upon the underlying cause of depression.
For situational it requires till the problem is over or few more moths.
For endogenous depression or for genetically susceptible individuals the requirement may be longer or for life time.
I hope this answers your question.
Thanks and regards.
Depends on underlying cause of depression
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
The need of antidepressants duration depends upon the underlying cause of depression.
For situational it requires till the problem is over or few more moths.
For endogenous depression or for genetically susceptible individuals the requirement may be longer or for life time.
I hope this answers your question.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Why do bi polars require so much more seroquel than me and report that it doesnt make them tired. I know some who take 300-400mg and say they dont even get drowsy how is that possible
Brief Answer:
It depends from person to person and other factors
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back to HCM.
Rather than related to disorder it is more of individual thing. I encountered number of bipolar patients who were unable to tolerate 25 mg of seroquel in my clinical practice although many others tolerated upto 800 mg.
So it is more of individual thing due to difference in genetic background, neurotransmitter difference and body composition.
Thanks and regards
It depends from person to person and other factors
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back to HCM.
Rather than related to disorder it is more of individual thing. I encountered number of bipolar patients who were unable to tolerate 25 mg of seroquel in my clinical practice although many others tolerated upto 800 mg.
So it is more of individual thing due to difference in genetic background, neurotransmitter difference and body composition.
Thanks and regards
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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