Seroquel
(quetiapine)
Helps control your thoughts and mood.
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.
- Price before coupon$689.53
- Lowest price with coupon$20.7997% savings
- 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.
What to expect from Seroquel, on one page
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.
What to expect from Seroquel, on one page
Seroquel (quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic that changes dopamine and serotonin activity in your brain, which can affect thoughts and mood.
- Drug class: Mental health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (quetiapine)
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Pay as low as$14.29Retail priceRetail priceLearn more
- Kroger PharmacyGet free coupon$20.79
- CostcoGet free coupon$24.79
- Get free coupon$27.20
What to expect when you take Seroquel (quetiapine) for Schizophrenia
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Low blood pressure
- Weight gain
It can take time for a drug to start working, or for some side effects to go away.
Source: FDA product label and Iodine pharmacistsSide effect rates for Seroquel (quetiapine)
- Drowsiness34%34%9%9%
- Dry mouth19%19%3%3%
- Headache17%17%13%13%
- Weakness10%10%4%4%
- Constipation10%10%5%5%
- Dizziness9%9%6%6%
- Tremor8%8%7%7%
- Stomach pain7%7%3%3%
- Low blood pressure7%7%2%2%
- Agitation6%6%4%4%
- Weight gain6%6%3%3%
- Sore throat6%6%3%3%
- Back pain5%5%3%3%
- Stiffness/difficulty moving4%4%3%3%
- Hay fever4%4%2%2%
- Swelling in the limbs4%4%2%2%
- Twitching4%4%1%1%
- Indigestion4%4%3%3%
- Depression3%3%2%2%
- Lazy eye3%3%2%2%
- Speech disorder3%3%1%1%
- Low blood pressure3%3%1%1%
- Altered hormone levels3%3%
- Heaviness2%2%1%1%
- Infection2%2%1%1%
- Fever2%2%1%1%
- High blood pressure2%2%1%1%
- Increased heart rate2%2%1%1%
- Increased appetite2%2%1%1%
- Hypothyroidism2%2%1%1%
- Incoordination2%2%1%1%
- Abnormal thinking2%2%
- Anxiety2%2%
- Loss of control of movements2%2%
- Sinus infection2%2%1%1%
- Sweating2%2%1%1%
- Urinary Tract Infection2%2%1%1%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Seroquel.
People taking Seroquel felt side effect more
People taking Seroquel felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Seroquel (quetiapine)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- 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.
Pharmacist Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
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)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- Not sureLow hassleReviewed 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!!!!!25Woman
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed SeroquelNo alcohol, take at a regular time in the evening59Man
- Take the extended release pill at night time, without food, or with a light meal.
- Use caution when driving, operating machinery or performing harzardous activities; as Seroquel (quetiapine) can cause low blood pressure, shakiness, dizziness and drowsiness.
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed Seroquelon 3/9/2017It caused a few headaches and some drowsiness. I liked that it didn't cause me to feel anxious which was is a major benefit compared to other similar medicines.41ManA few monthsSchizophrenia
- Not sureSome hassleReviewed quetiapineon 7/14/2020It causes severe drowsiness and will cause you to sleep for an abnormal amount of time at first. Takes about a month to get used to then the side effects subside. Drink lots of fluids and less carbs. Anything high sugar can become super addicting on this medication.27WomanWould rather not sayDepression
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed Seroquelon 7/12/2019I found taking it at night time before sleep to be most effective. And found food to increase the absorption making my muscles ache. So sleeping was easiest way to ignore this.24WomanTwo years or moreBipolar disorder
- 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 sureBig hassleReviewed Seroquelon 8/29/2016It caused significant weight gain.30ManBipolar disorder
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed quetiapineon 9/30/2017Weight gain constant hunger watch out!43WomanTwo years or moreBipolar disorder
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed Seroquelon 8/17/2017I gained 25KG in one year from it and the weight gain has ruined my self esteem which is counter productive21WomanA year or soDepression