Seroquel (quetiapine) is commonly used at low dose (Seroquel 25 mg or seroquel 50 mg) to help sleep, but new evidence suggests that it's a problem with increased cardiovascular mortality over time. Seroquel side effects can be long term.

We compare mechanism of quetiapine/Seroquel with olanzapine/zyprexa, clonidine/catapress, promethazine, Doxylamine, tricyclics and mirtazepine/avanza.

Seroquel side effects: The way quetiapine helps sleep is by blocking the histamine (H1) receptor in the brain. Histamine in the brain promotes wakefulness, so an antihistamine interferes with the wakefulness drive. But Seroquel also also affects the Dopamine receptor (D2 receptor), potentially dampening positive emotion (undesirable). Seroquel affects the serotonin 5HT2a receptor, potentially resulting in less flexible thinking (opposite to the effect of psychedelics) and the 5HT1a receptor which probably reduces sensitivity (potentially desirable unless numbing emotional ensues).

People often report carb hunger and weight gain which may be a contributor to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk (may be a result of M3 receptor effect in insulin).

The metabolite of quetiapine (norquetiapine) is a potent Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitor (NET), which may contribute to increased arousal (usually undesirable in sleep).

So it may act to simultaneously reduce wakefulness and increase arousal.

Also quetiapine seems to cause significantly higher cardiovascular mortality (death) with long term use (summary here: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=....

So if you are taking it at low dose for sleep, it might be worth talking to your doctor about alternatives such as simple antihistamines. Lipophilic (fat soluble) antihistamines (eg promethazine or doxylamine) block CNS H1 receptors which reduces wakefulness without all the other receptor effects. But they may have other harmful long term effects.

But better then meds long term is a Skills Before Pills approach: https://www.thepsychcollective.com/sleep

In particular we advocate the following to clear the thoughts out of your head before bed:    • Solve Your Sleep Problems with this T...  

Here's a detailed blog: https://www.thepsychcollective.com/is...

Here’s a handout with the table:
https://www.thepsychcollective.com/re...

There is concern about long term use of anticholinergic medications such as antihistamines that was not explored in this video.


This video is not medical advice and is based on mechanism, research data and anecdotes. Seek advise from a treating medical professional, do not act on the basis of this information.
No doctor-patient relationship formed.

------
Not medical advice. The utility of any drugs for sleep in the long term need to be weighed up against the costs of long term use. Not all costs of long term use are well understood and different people have different risks/susceptibilities. Talk to your doctor about any treatments and any concerns about treatments.
----------------------


#seroquel #sleep #skillsbeforepills
www.thepsychcollective.com