Does Seroquel Taken For Generalized Anxiety Disorder Cause Any Side Effects?

Posted on Fri, 27 Mar 2015

Question: I suffer from GAD after recent divorce stress. My dr RX 100mg of seroquel at night for sleeping & said I wont have to take it for very long (few weeks/months) ?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Quetiapine or Seroquel is an anti psychotic drug

Detailed Answer:
Helol thanks for asking from HCM

Generalised anxiety disorder is one of common anxiety disorders. Seroquel is Quetiapine and the drug is an anti psychotic drug. It is commonly used in psychotic patients or in patients of bipolar disorder and some times in severe anxiety and in patients with poor sleep.

The drug is a safe drug and is free of serious side effects. Commonly the drug may cause sedation, increased appetite, weight gain etc side effects. In patients of anxiety the drug is usually advised for short periods of time and in low doses only. If you are now getting good sleep then as per my opinion the drug can be discontinued with consultation of your doctor and any proper anti anxiety drug should be started.

Thanks, Hope this helps you, if you have more doubts you can ask again.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (24 hours later)

I have been taking for a week & sleep is getting better. Does it build up in my system at 100mg/night? Will I have to step down to get off it? Am I at any risk of it turning me crazy? I only habe dx of bad anxiety

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Though no need to tapering still you can reduce the dose over 2 weeks

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again

If you are taking the drug for about one week only then as per my opinion you can discontinue it easily. Reducing the dose to 50 mg for next one week and then 25 mg in further next week. This would prevent any withdrawal syndrome. That doses of drug don't make any person crazy, and don't fear about this. You can easily reduce the doses without any fear. Take the drugs as per your prescription only.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (17 minutes later)

Is it a sleeping pill too? My dr says no, it does not force sleep like a sleeping pill it simply relaxes u enough to fall asleep on your own?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The drug is not a sleeping pill

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

No this is not a sleeping pill and this doesn't make you dependent and the drug has no abuse potential. Yes it helps in relaxation of individual and this results in sleep. Though it is an antipsychotic drug still the drug is used by a lot of psychiatrists in anxiety and some times in depression, mood stabilisation.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (17 minutes later)

So my sleep on it is natural sleep not forced by chemical drug? Thank u

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes the sleep on that drug will be natural sleep.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

Yes the sleep on this drug will be a natural sleep and you will not become dependent on that drug. The drug helps in relaxation and helps in sleep. But as the drug causes little sedation so this helps in reducing stress and results in good sleep.

Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E