Seroquel

(quetiapine)

●●●●●
3.7/ 5 average rating with 250 reviewsforSeroquel
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Helps control your thoughts and mood.

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Our bottom line

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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Quick facts about Seroquel
  • Drug class: Mental health
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (quetiapine)

Upsides

  • 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.
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What to expect from Seroquel, on one page

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People’s experience with Seroquel

250reviews so far. What do you think?

Downsides

  • 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.
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What to expect from Seroquel, on one page

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How it works

Seroquel (quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic that changes dopamine and serotonin activity in your brain, which can affect thoughts and mood.

Quick facts about Seroquel
  • Drug class: Mental health
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (quetiapine)

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Pill
  • Extended release
People’s experience with Seroquel

250reviews so far. What do you think?

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Seroquel (quetiapine) for Schizophrenia

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Weight gain
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Side effect rates for Seroquel (quetiapine)

From 399 clinical trials of Seroquel when taken for adjunct therapy for bipolar i disorder (mania)
  • Drowsiness
    34%34%
    9%9%
  • Dry mouth
    19%19%
    3%3%
  • Headache
    17%17%
    13%13%
  • Weakness
    10%10%
    4%4%
  • Constipation
    10%10%
    5%5%
  • Dizziness
    9%9%
    6%6%
  • Tremor
    8%8%
    7%7%
  • Stomach pain
    7%7%
    3%3%
  • Low blood pressure
    7%7%
    2%2%
  • Agitation
    6%6%
    4%4%
  • Weight gain
    6%6%
    3%3%
  • Sore throat
    6%6%
    3%3%
  • Back pain
    5%5%
    3%3%
  • Stiffness/difficulty moving
    4%4%
    3%3%
  • Hay fever
    4%4%
    2%2%
  • Swelling in the limbs
    4%4%
    2%2%
  • Twitching
    4%4%
    1%1%
  • Indigestion
    4%4%
    3%3%
  • Depression
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Lazy eye
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Speech disorder
    3%3%
    1%1%
  • Low blood pressure
    3%3%
    1%1%
  • Altered hormone levels
    3%3%
  • Heaviness
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Infection
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Fever
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • High blood pressure
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Increased heart rate
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Increased appetite
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Hypothyroidism
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Incoordination
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Abnormal thinking
    2%2%
  • Anxiety
    2%2%
  • Loss of control of movements
    2%2%
  • Sinus infection
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Sweating
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Urinary Tract Infection
    2%2%
    1%1%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Seroquel.

Seroquel (quetiapine)
Placebo

People taking Seroquel felt side effect more

People taking Seroquel felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Seroquel (quetiapine)

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    • Higher risk if:
    • › Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis

    Older patients with dementia-related psychosis have a higher risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medications. Seroquel (quetiapine) is not approved to treat dementia-related psychosis.

    This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.

Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect

Pharmacist Q&A

Seroquel (quetiapine) questions for

Frequently Asked Questions

This medication treats depression in adults for whom antidepressants alone do not provide sufficient relief.

Who is this drug for?

This medication treats depression in adults for whom antidepressants alone do not provide sufficient relief.

Common concerns from people taking Seroquel (quetiapine)

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Alcohol
  • Not sure
    Didn’t work
    Low hassle
    Reviewed SeroquelDrinking alcohol whilst on this medication can lead to "black outs"... and you can wake up the next day in fear/panicking but not knowing why (a sense of dread). Also, it gives you seroquel munchies. the munchies are very real!!!!!
    25
    Woman
  • Worth it
    Didn’t work
    Low hassle
    Reviewed SeroquelNo alcohol, take at a regular time in the evening
    59
    Man
Food
  • Take the extended release pill at night time, without food, or with a light meal.
Sleep
  • Use caution when driving, operating machinery or performing harzardous activities; as Seroquel (quetiapine) can cause low blood pressure, shakiness, dizziness and drowsiness.
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Seroquelon 4/2/2017I took this about 5 years ago when coming out of the hospital. Now I have insurance that will pay for it and I'm trying it again. So far minimal side effects. The drowsiness has been hard to overcome. Been using more coffee than normal. And have been more dependent on my adderall.
    45
    Man
    A few months
    Bipolar disorder
  • Not sure
    Worked so-so
    Big hassle
    Reviewed quetiapineon 3/5/2021Take it at least an hour or two early before bed unless you want to wake up completely drowsy and unable to get out of bed.
    19
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Bipolar disorder
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed quetiapineon 10/9/2019I would take it at bedtime so that the drowsiness side effect actually worked in my favor and helped me fall asleep and stay asleep longer.
    26
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Bipolar disorder
Weight
  • Seroquel (quetiapine) is moderately likely to increase your blood sugar and cholesterol, and cause you to gain weight. Exercise and eat a balanced diet to lower this risk.
  • Seroquel (quetiapine) has a moderate to high risk of weight gain, elevated cholesterol and/or blood sugar compared to other antipsychotics.
  • Not worth it
    Didn’t work
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Seroquelon 12/9/2016Presribed as alternative to benzos for anxiety). Bad choice... Gave me and hours panic about 1/2 hour after taking. Super weight gain. Night sweats (had to keep pillows in rotation because of sweating). Loss of breath just to climb a set of stairs. Stroked out... ... not sure if it was the seroquel, but years later heard stories of seroquel and strokes..
    39
    Man
    Depression
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed quetiapineon 6/14/2021The weight gain
    48
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Insomnia
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed quetiapineon 9/30/2017Weight gain constant hunger watch out!
    43
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Bipolar disorder