Sleep medications

I have been prescribed seroquel "off-label" for sleep for a long time, but I dont like being on it because it really is powerful like being hit with a jackhammer and is hard to shake off the next day. It has a hangover effect. But it is the only thing that has worked for me with my sleep problems thus i have stayed on it. Also the side effects of weight gain and some other negative side effects are the reason I would love to get off of it. If anyone knows of any medications instead of seroquel that might work.....Any feedback is appreciaeted thank you :)  (My Doctor tried switching me to trazadone at one point and it didnt work)

[zagor1]

How much are you taking? Are you taking it for sleeping too much or for insomia?

Lower doses won't cause weigh gain.

[Brenndy]

"Lower doses" of Seroquel (even at 50 mg) most certainly have the capability of causing weight gain.  

Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Seroquel:

Constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; increased appetite; lightheadedness; nasal congestion; nausea; sore throat; stomach pain or upset; tiredness; vomiting; weakness; weight gain.


Read more: http://www.drugs.com/sfx/seroquel-side-effects.html#ixzz0sdMsIPHR

[Rich99]

If it works,  I would stick with seroquel since it's the "lesser of two evils" meaning it is not as addicting as benzos and other sleeping medications like ambien,  lunestra, etc.     I successfully used seroquel to help me wean off valium.

[Brenndy]

Prior to deciding to embark on a medication regimen with Seroquel, please read over the entire prescribing information, as well as speak with your physician regarding side-effects.  While not as common as the other side-effects I listed above, involuntary jaw movements can occur causing chipped teeth.

Best of luck in your decision.  

[youngdude421]

I already have been on serouquel for a few years, i take 50mg at bedtime. Every day its like i have to fight through a strong fog when i wake up. I could only imagine whay my energy level would be like if i wasnt on this med. SOme days its like the hangover efect just stays all day. BUt it is the lesser of two evils I won't go on ambien because of the addictiveness I know ppl that have gone inpatient to get off it. God i would love to not need anyting at night. And i would love to be off seroquel. Maybe I'll start cutting down my 50mg tabs. I have a very full life with a ful college schedule and work which is why i dont just stop the serq.(tapering down safley of course) and i ned to get to sleep at night. Otherwise I would take a month of chopped sleep and maybe get to normal. Oh well guess I need to get strong coffee in the mornings. What makes it hard is there arent many other medications out there to take for me instead of the serq. besides ambien and Lunesta which i dont want to go on.

[Paxiled]

My contribution would be to say taking seroquel for a sleep disturbance is like the proverbial sledge hammer to an ant.  Same goes for benzos.  These are very powerful drugs and were never approved for sleep disorders precisely because they are so powerful.  They only help people sleep because they're sedating, not because they've dealt with whatever it is that is blocking you from sleeping.  It's an unwanted side effect of the medications.  My own preference would have been to start with something benign such as melatonin or homeopathic remedies and by studying with a therapist what's bugging you before trying such strong medication.  But this is only an opinion.