If you Google "average dose of Seroquel" 300 mg is considered the recommended dose for many for bipolar depression. Bipolar mania dose ranges are between 400 MG and 800 mg. The Seroquel manufacturer recommends starting patients at 300 mg and titrating up, as necessary. Really, Google and you'll find this info. I believe most people take lower doses than 300 mg more as a sleep aid or anxiety control, or PRN add-on for all mentioned above. I would have been surprised if your psychiatrist started you on as high as 500 mg from the very start, except MAYBE if you were in the psychiatric hospital in crisis.

I agree with the others that the goal is to take the lowest dose needed. I also think that "equivalencies" aren't always the same for everyone. Some meds work great, so-so, or not at all at various doses, for some people. For example, 600 mg Lithium can be one person's miracle drug, while 1200 mg was a sugar pill for me that did little more than than give me multiple side effects. One person may need 400 MG Lamictal for help with depression, while 100 MG Lamictal more than did the trick for me, in fact it was overly activating.

I have read of people who claimed that 25 MG Seroquel did them much good, even though that dose isn't considered high enough for moodstabilization. But they said it helped, so... it helped. The usual dose I have read is the start of Seroquel moodstabilization is 300 mg. Again, that's also a recommended starter dose for possible titration upwards.

Some people, if started on too high of a Seroquel dose, may experience very negative side effects. Once my husband accidentally took my evening medications, which included high dose Seroquel and Geodon, and he slept for 16 hours straight...during the daytime.

Most psychiatrists know what they are doing.