Seroquel

Generic Name: quetiapine (kwe TYE a peen)
Brand Names: SEROquel, SEROquel XR

What is Seroquel?

Seroquel (quetiapine) is an antipsychotic medicine. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

Seroquel is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children who are at least 13 years old.

Seroquel is used to treat bipolar disorder (manic depression) in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.

Seroquel is also used together with antidepressant medications to treat major depressive disorder in adults.

Seroquel may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

Never take Seroquel in larger amounts, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. High doses or long-term use can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. Symptoms of this disorder include tremors or other uncontrollable muscle movements.

Stop using Seroquel and call your doctor at once if you have the following symptoms: very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, uncontrolled muscle movements, feeling light-headed, blurred vision, eye pain, increased thirst and urination, excessive hunger, fruity breath odor, weakness, nausea and vomiting.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking Seroquel. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Seroquel is not FDA approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Quetiapine may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Seroquel if you are allergic to quetiapine.

Seroquel is not FDA approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Quetiapine may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

To make sure Seroquel is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

liver or kidney disease;
heart disease, heart rhythm problems, a history of heart attack or stroke;
high or low blood pressure;
a history of low white blood cell (WBC) counts;
abnormal thyroid tests or prolactin levels;
seizures or epilepsy;
cataracts;
high cholesterol or triglycerides;
a personal or family history of diabetes; or
trouble swallowing.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking Seroquel. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Seroquel, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice.

This medicine may temporarily affect fertility (your ability to have children) in women.

Seroquel can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while you are using Seroquel unless directed by a doctor.

Do not give Seroquel to a child without a doctor's advice. Extended-release Seroquel XR is for use only in adults and should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years old.

What should I avoid while taking Seroquel?

Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

Seroquel may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls, fractures, or other injuries.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. You may be more prone to heat stroke.

Seroquel side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Seroquel: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);
mask-like appearance of the face, trouble swallowing, problems with speech;
a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
severe nervous system reaction - very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, fainting;
high blood sugar - increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss; or
low blood cell counts - sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, cold or flu symptoms, cough, sore throat, red or swollen gums, painful mouth sores, skin sores, trouble breathing.

Common Seroquel side effects may include:

trouble with movement;
dizziness, weakness;
increased appetite, weight gain;
sore throat;
dry mouth; or
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What other drugs will affect Seroquel?

Seroquel can cause a serious heart problem if you use certain medicines at the same time, including certain antibiotics, antidepressants, heart rhythm medicine, antipsychotic medicines, and medicines to treat cancer, malaria, HIV or AIDS. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Seroquel.

Taking Seroquel with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, prescription cough medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Many drugs can interact with quetiapine. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

antibiotic or antifungal medicines;
antiviral medicine to treat hepatitis or HIV/AIDS;
heart or blood pressure medicines;
medicine to treat mental illness;
St. John's wort;
seizure medicine; or
medicines used to treat tuberculosis.

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with quetiapine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.

In Summary

Common side effects of Seroquel include: asthenia, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, increased serum cholesterol, increased serum triglycerides, increased thyroid stimulating hormone level, and xerostomia. Other side effects include: abdominal pain, dyspepsia, increased serum alanine aminotransferase, orthostatic hypotension, pharyngitis, weight gain, and tachycardia. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

For the Consumer

Applies to quetiapine: oral tablet, oral tablet extended release

Warning

Oral route (Tablet; Tablet, Extended Release)

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Quetiapine fumarate is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis or for patients under 10 years of age. There is an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents and young adults taking antidepressants. Monitor patients closely for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Along with its needed effects, quetiapine (the active ingredient contained in Seroquel) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking quetiapine:

More common

Chills
cold sweats
confusion
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Less common

Black, tarry stools
blurred vision
changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
chest pain
cough
drooling
fever, muscle aches, or sore throat
inability to move the eyes
inability to sit still
increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
lip smacking or puckering
loss of balance control
mask-like face
need to keep moving
painful or difficult urination
puffing of the cheeks
rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue
restlessness
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
shuffling walk
slowed movements
slurred speech
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
sticking out of the tongue
stiffness of the arms or legs
sweating
swelling of the face, arms, hands, feet, or lower legs
swollen glands
trembling and shaking of the hands and fingers
trouble with breathing, speaking, or swallowing
uncontrolled chewing movements
uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs
uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual facial expressions
unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

Dry, puffy skin
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
loss of appetite
menstrual changes
tiredness
unusual secretion of milk (in females)
weight gain

Incidence not known

Aching or discomfort in the lower legs or sensation of crawling in the legs
painful or prolonged erection of the penis
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
skin rash, hives, or itching
tightness in the chest
tingling of the hands or feet
unusual weight gain or loss

Some side effects of quetiapine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Constipation
headache

Less common

Abnormal vision
acid or sour stomach
belching
decreased appetite
decreased strength and energy
headache
heartburn
increased appetite
increased muscle tone
increased sweating
increased weight
indigestion
sneezing
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
stuffy or runny nose

A total of 622 drugs are known to interact with Seroquel (quetiapine).

114 major drug interactions
501 moderate drug interactions
7 minor drug interactions

Most frequently checked interactions

View interaction reports for Seroquel (quetiapine) and the medicines listed below.

Seroquel (quetiapine) alcohol/food interactions

There are 6 alcohol/food interactions with Seroquel (quetiapine)

Seroquel (quetiapine) disease interactions

There are 23 disease interactions with Seroquel (quetiapine) which include: