A new study has raised concerns about the side effects of a commonly used sleep medication, showing that while it may improve sleep quality, its effects can extend into the following day and negatively impact focus, alertness, and cognitive performance.
The study focused on quetiapine, commercially known as Seroquel, a medication primarily prescribed for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Although not officially approved for insomnia treatment, it is often prescribed in low doses to help patients sleep.
Researchers say this practice has become increasingly common due to the belief that low-dose quetiapine is relatively safe for sleep support.
However, the latest findings suggest the reality may be more complicated.
Reduced Alertness and Slower Response Times
The clinical trial involved 15 participants suffering from obstructive sleep apnea and sleep difficulties.
Results showed that while the drug helped participants sleep somewhat better, it also led to noticeable declines in next-day mental performance.
In psychomotor vigilance tests, participants recorded significantly slower reaction times after taking quetiapine compared with placebo.
Attention lapses also increased sharply, with average concentration failures rising from two to ten during testing.
Driving Performance Also Affected
The negative effects extended beyond cognitive performance.
In driving simulation tests, participants showed 33% greater lane deviation compared with the placebo condition.
The number of collisions recorded during simulation also increased.
Although the study sample remains small, the results raise serious concerns about the risks of using such medications among people who require high levels of alertness the following day.
The Hidden Danger: Feeling Fine While Impaired
One of the most concerning findings was the disconnect between subjective feeling and actual performance.
Some participants reported feeling fine and did not notice significant drowsiness.
However, objective testing showed clear declines in mental performance and attention.
This mismatch creates a dangerous situation, as individuals may believe they are functioning normally while their actual performance is significantly impaired.
Experts warn that this could be especially risky while driving or performing tasks requiring sustained attention.
Important Warning for Patients
Researchers say these findings highlight the need for caution when using quetiapine as a sleep aid, especially for individuals with known or suspected sleep apnea.
They emphasized that quetiapine should not be considered a routine treatment for insomnia, particularly when next-day alertness, safety, and cognitive performance are critical.
The study reinforces the importance of medical supervision before using sleep medications and the need to carefully weigh benefits against potential risks.
