Expert: Ivan Goldberg, M.D. - 11/21/2006

Question
I am a 36 year old wife and mother of 4. I was dx with bp when I was 16 years old. I have been tried on many, many meds to control my bp. I am a hard to treat bp. In 2004, my doctor at the time put me on seroquel, 25mg. I only increased to 100 mg. I had some weight gain, low energy, restless legs after taking my dose, and some gastro problems. But, this seems to be a good drug for my bp. I am calmer, and have a stable mood. I have tried to come off the seroquel due to being tired all the time, inability to lose weight, and high triglycerides and cholesterol. I also have just been dx with a stomach ulcer and my doctor thinks it is the seroquel. The lab said my stomach ulcer looks like the kind that is medication induced. I only take seroquel and prilosec. My problem is this...I have tried to come off of the seroquel, but can't due to intense side effects. I can't sleep, not at all, feel nauseous, grumpy, fits of rage, and flu like symptoms. These are only relieved by taking a seroquel. Is seroquel addicting? And what med could I take to sleep when coming off of the seroquel? Is there a safer drug than seroquel? I have already been on haldol, risperdal, and zyprexa. Too many side effects on those too. What can I do to get off the seroquel and not go bonkers?  

Answer
Hi . . .

While there is no evidence that Seroquel is addicting, there is evidence that some people have withdrawal symptoms when they decrease the dose too rapidly. When one of my patients has a hard time coming off of 100 mg per day I suggest that they work with 25 mg tablets and lower the dose by 1/2 a tablet (12.5 mg) every 7 to 10 days.

Best regards . . .

Ivan
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