Common Sleep Drug May Reduce Alertness and Increase Safety Risks, Study Warns
04 Jun 2026
A Flinders University study suggests the medication, when used off-label for insomnia or sleep-related breathing issues, could lead to impaired driving ability and slower reaction times, even if patients do not feel sleepy.
Quetiapine is an antipsychotic medicine approved for conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but it is sometimes prescribed at lower doses for sleep, anxiety, and obstructive sleep apnoea.
In the study, 15 adults were tested over two nights in a sleep laboratory. On one night they took a low dose of quetiapine, and on the other they took a placebo.
Researchers found that while the drug slightly improved sleep quality and reduced breathing interruptions during sleep, it also led to poorer attention, slower responses, and reduced driving performance the next morning.
The lead researcher said the results were concerning because some participants showed reduced performance without feeling drowsy, creating a hidden safety risk.
Health experts say this mismatch between how patients feel and how they actually function is particularly dangerous, especially when driving or performing daily tasks.
RACGP experts have also raised concerns, saying quetiapine is not suitable for routine treatment of insomnia due to its side effects, including sedation and long-term metabolic risks.
Doctors note that while the medicine is sometimes used off-label, it is not considered a first-choice treatment for sleep problems, and other safer options are available.
Researchers also found that a significant proportion of antipsychotic prescriptions are used for non-approved conditions such as insomnia, anxiety and depression.
Experts are urging caution, highlighting that the sedative effect of quetiapine is a side effect rather than its intended purpose, and may carry risks of dependence and long-term health impacts.
Common Sleep Drug May Reduce Alertness and Increase Safety Risks, Study Warns
Source: Flinders University / RACGP newsGP