Compare Lithium vs. Seroquel
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Stabilizes mood.
Lithobid (Lithium) is the most effective long-term treatment for bipolar disorder, but it comes with a lot of side effects, so it can be difficult to take.
Helps control your thoughts and mood.
Seroquel (quetiapine) is a effective at treating schizophrenia, mania, and depression but it can cause weight gain and high blood glucose levels.
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3.7/ 5 average rating with 250 reviewsforSeroquel
Upsides
- A first-line, long-term treatment for bipolar disorder. Effective at stabilizing mood and preventing relapse.
- For manic episodes (acute mania), more effective when taken together with an antipsychotic medicine.
- The only drug proven (so far) to lower the risk of suicide, possibly because it lowers aggressiveness and impulsivity.
- Seroquel (quetiapine) is effective at relieving psychotic symptoms and manic episodes.
- Seroquel (quetiapine) has fewer side effects than most antipsychotic medications.
- Seroquel (quetiapine) is less likely to cause heart problems compared to some other antipsychotics.
- Seroquel (quetiapine) is also the least likely to cause Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) – a movement disorder that causes stiffness, tremor, restlessness, and slow, repetitive, or involuntary movements.
Downsides
- Has many short- and long-term side effects.
- The dose for it to work well is very close to the amount that causes overdose, so you have to be careful, watch out for symptoms, and get help immediately if you accidentally take too much.
- Probably not safe if you have kidney problems.
- Not safe to use if you're pregnant.
- Requires routine blood tests to see how the medicine is affecting your body.
- Seroquel (quetiapine) has a moderate to high risk of weight gain, elevated cholesterol and/or blood sugar compared to other antipsychotics.
- You might need routine blood tests to check how Seroquel (quetiapine) is affecting your body.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
- Oral solution
- Pill
- Extended release
Price
Lowest price
$9.00
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$20.79
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Reviews
Not enough review data.Leave a review
250 reviews so far
56%
saidit'sworth it
50%
saiditworked well
27%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Seroquel (quetiapine)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
The Lithobid (Lithium) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
36possible side effects
- Drowsiness34%
- Dry mouth19%
- Headache17%
- Weakness10%
- Constipation10%
- Dizziness9%
- Tremor8%
- Stomach pain7%
- Low blood pressure7%
- Agitation6%
- Weight gain6%
- Sore throat6%
- Back pain5%
- Stiffness/difficulty moving4%
- Hay fever4%
- Swelling in the limbs4%
- Twitching4%
- Indigestion4%
- Depression3%
- Lazy eye3%
- Speech disorder3%
- Altered hormone levels3%
- Heaviness2%
- Infection2%
- Fever2%
- High blood pressure2%
- Increased heart rate2%
- Increased appetite2%
- Hypothyroidism2%
- Incoordination2%
- Abnormal thinking2%
- Anxiety2%
- Loss of control of movements2%
- Sinus infection2%
- Sweating2%
- Urinary Tract Infection2%
Risks and risk factors
- Overdose
- Low sodium
- Dehydration
- Drug interactions (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, NSAIDs like ibuprofen)
- Pregnancy
- Driving impairment
- Alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Reduced kidney function
- Long-term use
- Higher risk of death
- Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Children, adolescents, and young adults (<24 years old)
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Heart problems
- History of heart problems
- Drug interactions
- Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS)
- Metabolic changes (increased blood sugar, high cholesterol and weight gain)
- People with diabetes
- People with high cholesterol