Quetiapine (bipolar medication) - any experience?

[SpikyLikey]

I take 20mg citalopram for depression, which is working OK. I also take quetiapine as a mood stabiliser, but it is disagreeing with me so badly...

I feel 'drugged', sleepy, slurred speech etc. I told my pyshchiatrist this before Christmas and he switched me from an 'immediate' to 'modified' release form of the drug, which is supposed to release the drug more slowly in to my system and thus limit the side effects. It hasnt worked.

Due to see Psych again next week, but feel like throwing the quetiapine in the bin. I slept for 16 hours last night/today and speech is still slurry. I cant live like this. I have children to care for and a life! I cant be this zombie! I feel like I have taken a very strong tranquiliser basically.

What dose are you on and how long have you been taking it for? Some people find the sedative effect wears off after a while (a few weeks). Others get round it by taking it as a single dose in the evening rather than dividing the dose. If you've tried all that already and have been taking it for 6 weeks plus maybe it isn't the right drug for you. Is it working, side effects apart? Or are you too sedated to tell? Have you tried any other mood stabilisers?

I couldn't get on with the modified release version as instead of the immense tiredness after taking it and in the mornings I'd feel tired all day. How long have you been taking it and what dose? It should settle down if you've not been taking it for too long. It works very well for me.

I am prescribed 100mg Quetiapine IR "off label" as a sleeping aid (as both hypnotics and benzos are tolerance building). This is not unusual either as Quetiapine is well known to induce drowsiness. Suggest you discuss with you psychiatrist as there are plenty other antipsychotics out there which are apparently less sedating.