HomeAnswersPsychiatryantidepressantsI experience severe side effects of Seroquel, which affect my mental and physical well-being. How to taper the dose?

How to taper the dose of Seroquel without any side effects?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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iCliniq medical review team

Published At October 7, 2022
Reviewed AtJanuary 12, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have been on Seroquel for four years, and my mental health and quality of life have deteriorated. When I was taking Risperidone, everything was great. But now, I experience severe side effects with Seroquel, and I cannot stop taking it since I experience withdrawal symptoms. I currently take Seroquel 550 mg at night, which was reduced from 600 mg a few months ago. It has been difficult for me. I underwent blood tests and urinalysis, and the reports were normal. I am currently taking Risperidone 2.5 mg, Lithium 450 mg, and Gabapentin 4500 mg daily at night. Is there a supplement that can help me safely wean off Seroquel?

Please give your suggestions.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your query and understood your concern. Why are you on such a high dose of Seroquel (Quetiapine)? Kindly give me the details about your mental illness. You can taper the dosage gradually, but it takes time. In addition, you can take Benzodiazepine (antipsychotic) to deal with your withdrawal symptoms under your doctor's advice. Kindly consult a specialist, talk with them and take the medications with their consent.

I hope this has helped you.

Take care.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

I was diagnosed with bipolar (bipolar I or II) for a while, and it was well managed with Risperidone. However, I was having minor sleep issues, and my doctor thought I should try it. In hindsight, it was making things slightly worse, and my psychiatrist and I kept increasing the dose, trying to fix the initial problem. At first, it just made me agitated, but I was not sleeping. Then, we kept increasing the dose over four years to improve my sleep cycle. What to do now?

Please help.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You must not take Seroquel to deal with your sleep problem. Your psychiatrist must have given you the option to try Benzodiazepines for sleeping issues, and they are easy to taper off. So, I suggest you to take Clonazepam (Benzodiazepine) 0.5 mg at night daily and taper off Seroquel gradually. You will have issues but keep trying to taper the dosage. You must taper off 25 mg of Seroquel every four to six weeks. It will take months to stop it, but there is no option.

I hope you understand my point. Kindly let me know if you need help.

Thanks and regards.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Vishal Anilkumar Gandhi
Dr. Vishal Anilkumar Gandhi

Psychiatry

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