What Happens When You Stop Taking Quetiapine?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If you suddenly stop taking quetiapine, you may experience

withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

. Your doctor will probably want to decrease your dose gradually.

What happens if you stop taking quetiapine?

Quetiapine is not addictive, but stopping it suddenly can cause problems such as

difficulty sleeping, feeling or being sick, headache, diarrhoea (loose poo)

, feeling dizzy or irritable. See you doctor if you want to stop, or if you are having these effects.

How long does quetiapine withdrawal last?

Phases of Seroquel Withdrawal

These symptoms are short-lasting and reversible. Typically the individual is mostly recovered within a week. However, some symptoms may persist, perhaps with less intensity, for

up to six weeks

. Rebound withdrawal symptoms can also occur within the 1- to 4-day period.

How do I stop taking quetiapine?

For example, some may experience minimal withdrawal symptoms for

a week or

two after they stop taking a low dose of Seroquel. With higher doses, the withdrawal syndrome may be more severe. Tapering the dose slowly under the care of a physician can alleviate withdrawal distress.

What happens when you stop taking antipsychotics?

Antipsychotics do, however, have one thing in common with some addictive drugs—they

can cause withdrawal effects

when you stop taking them, especially if you stop suddenly. These effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain, dizziness and shakiness.

Is 25mg of quetiapine a lot?

Off-label use was most evident for the 25 mg strength of quetiapine. The usual therapeutic dose range for the approved indications is 400–800 mg/day. The 25 mg dose has

no uses

that are evidence based other than for dose titration in older patients.

Will I lose weight if I stop taking quetiapine?

People who stop taking antipsychotics usually see gradual weight loss. Stopping a medication, however, is not always possible, and it can sometimes have serious repercussions. A

person should never stop taking a prescribed medication

without speaking to a doctor about it first.

When should you not take quetiapine?

  • breast cancer.
  • a condition with low thyroid hormone levels.
  • diabetes.
  • a high prolactin level.
  • excessive fat in the blood.
  • low amount of magnesium in the blood.
  • dehydration.
  • low amount of potassium in the blood.

Do antipsychotics change the brain permanently?

Moncrieff’s second point is that the psychiatric establishment, underpinned by the pharmaceutical industry, has glossed over studies showing that

antipsychotics cause extensive damage

– the most startling being permanent brain atrophy (brain damage) or tardive dyskinesia.

Does your brain go back to normal after antidepressants?

Because SSRIs cause more serotonin to remain in circulation in the brain, the individual experiences less depressive symptoms. In fact,

many people report feeling completely back to normal when taking these

medications.

How long does quetiapine stay in your system?

The Seroquel (quetiapine) half-life is about six hours. This means it stays in your system for

about 1.5 days

. Age, liver disease, and severe kidney disease can prolong the process of clearing Seroquel from the body.

Can quetiapine make you worse?

Quetiapine oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed. If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don’t take it at all:

Your condition may get worse

.

What does quetiapine do to the brain?

Quetiapine is a medication that works in the brain

to treat schizophrenia

. It is also known as a second generation antipsychotic (SGA) or atypical antipsychotic. Quetiapine rebalances dopamine and serotonin to improve thinking, mood, and behavior.

Can you ever get off antipsychotics?

Some people may be able to stop taking antipsychotics without problems, but others

can find it very difficult

. If you have been taking them for some time, it can be more difficult to come off them. This is especially if you have been taking them for one year or longer.

How long can you stay on antipsychotics?

Some people need to keep taking it long term. If you have only had one psychotic episode and you have recovered well, you would normally need to continue treatment for 1–2 years after recovery. If you have another psychotic episode, you may need to take antipsychotic medication for longer,

up to 5 years

.

What does antipsychotic withdrawal feel like?

Symptoms that may be experienced during antipsychotic discontinuation syndrome include:

Vomiting, nausea, and/or diarrhea

.

Difficulty sleeping, restlessness, anxiety, and/or agitation

.

Dizziness

.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.