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Suggest Treatment For Insomnia And Anxiety

Posted on Tue, 22 Sep 2015

Question: I was rx 100mg seroquel/night for insomnia & anxiety due to divorce stress. I have a few questions:

1. My dr told me it was non addictive/non habit forming & that its safe. But Ive read on internet patients who claim to have become dependant on it for sleep. Is this true?

2. I also read about some people claiming to lose hair from it, but that is not listed as a side effect. Is it?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
The drug is not a habit forming drug. No need to worry.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Seroquel is an antipsychotic drug (second generation antipsychotic drug). The drug is commonly used in psychosis but is also used in other conditions like mood stabilisation, in insomnias when long term treatment is needed. Now coming to your questions-

1) The drug is non-addictive and non habit forming drug. Most of sleep drugs cause dependence and have high abuse potential. Though while taking the drug one might become dependent on its effects but gradual tapering of drug doses can be done and the drug can be discontinued easily. Abrupt discontinuation of drug doses might lead to withdrawal effects but if doses are reduced gradually then there is no risk. The drug is not a habit forming drug. So no need to worry.

2) Few cases were reported and are also documented that the drug might cause alopecia or hair loss in some individuals but the hair loss in not seen commonly. I am using the drug in high doses to a number of my patients and none has reported the side effects of alopecia. So you can use the drug without any fear. 100 mg doses are very low doses and these doses wouldn't cause much side effects.

Thanks, Hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

I find on 100mg I sleep 10-11 hours & groggy for few hours afterward. Should I discuss lowering dose w my dr?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes you can discuss to lower the doses

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up

If the sleep is more with 100 mg dose then yes you can ask your doctor to reduce the doses to 50 mg per day. Lowered doses will help to improve your sleep and will not feel more drowsy also.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (20 minutes later)

Will 50mg still work for sleep ? Or no bc my body is used to 100?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes this will surely work for sleep.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up

Yes 50 mg will still work for sleep because with 100 mg you are sleeping for more than 10-12 hours. Consult your doctor and you can start taking 50 mg doses.

Thanks. Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (17 hours later)

I met with my dr today and he suggested lowering the dose. He said i can adjust nightly ie 75mg, 50mg, 100mg until I find best amount. I asked if its safe to change doses like that he said yes?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up

Yes no problem in reducing the doses in this manner. Such slow dose reduction will even prevent minor withdrawal also. This will help in better dose equivalence.

Thanks, still have more doubts please ask again.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar