For most people, experts don’t recommend taking Seroquel for sleep. Alternative sleep aids may be a better choice, especially if taken short term. Talk to your healthcare professional if you’re having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. Seroquel (quetiapine) is widely prescribed for sleep, but not because it’s approved for that purpose. The FDA has never approved Seroquel for insomnia. It is officially indicated for schizophrenia, bipolar mania, and bipolar depression. The second-generation antipsychotic drug quetiapine (Seroquel) is increasingly being used off-label for treating insomnia in the general population, possibly to avoid standard medications with known addictive qualities and adverse side effects. Although it has a sedative effect, quetiapine isn’t recommended for insomnia. Let’s look at the reasons why, as well as the possible side effects and safer sleep aid options. Quetiapine hasn’t. Seroquel, an antipsychotic medication, is sometimes used off-label for sleep despite not being approved for this purpose. While it may help with sleep due to its sedating effects, potential side effects should be considered. Seroquel (quetiapine) can help some people fall asleep faster because it blocks histamine receptors in the brain, producing sedation similar to an antihistamine. If you stop quetiapine suddenly, it could lead to withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or difficulty sleeping. These symptoms usually last about one week. Why Is Quetiapine (Seroquel) Used for Sleep? At lower doses, quetiapine (Seroquel) strongly blocks histamine H1 and serotonin 5-HT2C receptors, producing sedative effects that can make people feel drowsy which can help with sleep (Stahl, 2021). Seroquel (quetiapine) has been used at low doses to help with sleep, but studies are lacking and serious side effects can occur. Many doctors do not recommend Seroquel as a sleep aid in the general population, or may only prescribe it for people with certain mental health mood or psychosis disorders. You should not use Seroquel to help with sleep unless your doctor has specifically prescribed it for this use. Your healthcare provider will need to monitor you for effectiveness and side effects if prescribed.