Seroquel
(quetiapine)
●●●●●
3.7/ 5 average rating with 250 reviewsforSeroquel
Skip to: drug prices sectionSkip to: what to expect sectionSkip to: side effects sectionSkip to: risks and warnings sectionSkip to: common concerns from users and pharmacists
Helps control your thoughts and mood.
Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.
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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.
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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250Downsides
- 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
Download Fact SheetHow 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)
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.Prices and coupons for 30 (300mg) tablets of quetiapine near
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See more prices and coupons in your areaWhat 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
Side effect rates for Seroquel (quetiapine)
From 399 clinical trials of Seroquel when taken for adjunct therapy for bipolar i disorder (mania)
- 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%
0%
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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)
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.
Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect
Pharmacist Q&A
Seroquel (quetiapine) questions for
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?Alcohol
- 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
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 itLow hassleReviewed SeroquelMakes you super drowsy so take it at night and sometimes follows into the next morning. I call it the seroquel hangover. Don't stay up too late after you take it because you will eat everything in sight. I call that the seroquel munchies :)24Woman
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed Seroquelon 8/23/2017Please ladies check the effects on fertility because I wasn't even told. Also severe drowsiness.28WomanA few monthsDepression
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed Seroquelon 6/14/2017Try your best to stay very active while on it! It caused me severe drowsiness and huge weight gain. I gained 83 pounds in 11 months.25ManA year or soSchizophrenia
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 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