Overview and key details

Seroquel is the brand name for quetiapine, an atypical antipsychotic. It helps manage conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It is also used as adjunctive therapy for major depressive disorder. While you may see it grouped among antidepressant options, it is not itself an antidepressant; instead, it modulates dopamine and serotonin receptors to balance mood and thought processes.

Available oral strengths commonly include 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg tablets. Extended-release forms exist as well. Directions below cover standard immediate-release use; follow your own prescription label and your clinician’s plan.

Tell your clinician before you take this medicine

Before starting quetiapine, make sure your health care provider knows if you have any of the following. This helps them choose the right dose and monitor risk. If unsure, discuss and review labs where appropriate. Also see Interactions for medicines to avoid.

  • Parkinson's disease
  • Seizures or a history of epilepsy
  • Previous heart attack or other heart disease
  • Low blood pressure or dizziness when standing up
  • Thyroid disease
  • Diabetes or prediabetes
  • Breast cancer
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Low blood counts, such as low white cells, platelets, or red cells
  • Cataracts or other eye problems
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Any brain tumor or head injury
  • Current or past suicidal thoughts or attempts by you or a family member
  • Allergy to quetiapine or similar medicines, or allergens in tablets
  • Pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding
  • Use of alcohol or recreational drugs

How to take Seroquel

Take by mouth with water. If it upsets your stomach, you can take it with food. Use it on a consistent schedule as directed. Do not take more often than prescribed, and do not stop suddenly unless your clinician gives a taper plan. For older adults (65+), smaller doses are often needed. For children and adolescents, use only if specifically prescribed; specialized monitoring may be required.

Overdose warning: If you think you or someone else has taken too much, contact a poison control center or go to an emergency department immediately. In the US you can reach Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.

If you miss a dose

Take it when you remember unless it is less than 4 hours to the next scheduled dose. If so, skip the missed dose and resume your normal schedule. Do not double up.

Drug and substance interactions

Some medicines should not be combined with quetiapine because of serious heart rhythm or other risks. If you are unsure about a combination, ask your pharmacist or prescriber before taking it.

Do not take with the following

  • Sparfloxacin
  • Thioridazine
  • Pimozide
  • Droperidol
  • Mesoridazine
  • Grepafloxacin
  • Halofantrine
  • Cisapride
  • Chlorpromazine

Use caution or adjust therapy with these

  • Medicines for seizures such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, or carbamazepine
  • Erythromycin and other macrolide antibiotics
  • Alcohol and sedatives including lorazepam
  • Antifungals such as fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole
  • Rifampin
  • Medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychosis (including haloperidol)
  • Medicines for diabetes
  • Medicines for high blood pressure
  • Antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS
  • Steroids such as prednisone or cortisone
  • Cimetidine
  • Medicines for Parkinson's disease

This list is not complete. Share a full, updated list of all prescription drugs, OTC medicines, vitamins, and herbal products with your health care provider. Also disclose alcohol, nicotine, or recreational drug use. Return to top.

Monitoring and precautions

Regular follow up visits help optimize your dose and reduce risk. Expect several weeks before full benefit. Your clinician may recommend an eye exam before treatment and then about every 6 months. If you have been taking quetiapine for a while, do not stop abruptly; a gradual dose reduction is usually needed.

Mood watch: At the start of treatment or after dose changes, you or your family should monitor for worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, severe anxiety, agitation, irritability, hostility, aggression, impulsivity, restlessness, overexcitement, or new trouble sleeping. If these occur, contact your clinician promptly.

Drowsiness and dizziness are common. Until you know how you respond, avoid driving, operating machinery, or activities requiring alertness. Rise slowly from sitting or lying positions to reduce fainting risk. Alcohol can intensify drowsiness; best to avoid it.

Before self-treating colds, allergies, or diarrhea, ask a pharmacist or prescriber. Some OTC products can worsen side effects or interact with quetiapine. For pricing, see Prices in the USA.

Possible side effects

Call your clinician right away for serious symptoms. For non-urgent effects that persist or bother you, discuss dose or timing adjustments. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.

Serious effects — seek medical advice promptly

  • Uncontrollable movements of head, mouth, neck, arms, or legs
  • Seizures
  • Stiff muscles, high fever, confusion, sweating, fast heartbeat
  • Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
  • Fever, chills, or sore throat
  • Sudden problems with balance, speech, or walking
  • Allergic reactions: rash, hives, itching, swelling of face, lips, or tongue
  • Marked increase in thirst or hunger
  • Increased urination
  • New or worsening mood changes or suicidal thoughts
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness

Common effects — usually mild

  • Dry mouth
  • Constipation
  • Drowsiness or dizziness
  • Upset stomach
  • Weight gain
  • Changes in sex drive or performance

Not all side effects are listed here. Report unexpected symptoms to your health care provider or FDA MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Storage

Keep out of reach of children. Store at room temperature 59 to 86 F (15 to 30 C). Protect from moisture and heat. Dispose of unused or expired tablets responsibly; ask a pharmacist about take-back options.

Similar or alternative medicines

Depending on diagnosis, response, and side effect profile, clinicians may consider alternatives. Never switch without medical guidance.

  • Olanzapine: Effective for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; higher risk of weight gain and metabolic effects than quetiapine in many patients.
  • Aripiprazole: Often less sedating; can be activating for some. Used for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and adjunct for depression.
  • Risperidone: Broad evidence base; may raise prolactin and cause stiffness at higher doses.
  • Ziprasidone: Lower metabolic risk; must be taken with food; can affect heart rhythm in susceptible patients.
  • Lurasidone: Often weight-neutral; take with food; widely used for bipolar depression and schizophrenia.
  • Clozapine: Reserved for treatment-resistant schizophrenia due to required blood monitoring; can be highly effective.
  • Extended-release quetiapine (Seroquel XR): Once-daily option; similar efficacy with different release profile.

In depressive disorders, other adjunct options may include low-dose aripiprazole, brexpiprazole, or quetiapine XR. For more on cost differences, see Prices in the USA.

Prices in the USA

Approximate out-of-pocket retail prices vary by pharmacy, dose, and quantity. Discount programs can reduce prices substantially. These rough examples are for a 30-day supply unless noted; your costs may differ.

  • Quetiapine generic (25 mg to 300 mg, immediate-release): about $5 to $30 total per month at many discount pharmacies, roughly $0.05 to $0.70 per tablet depending on strength and quantity.
  • Seroquel XR brand (extended-release): commonly $300 to $900 per month without insurance.
  • Risperidone generic: about $4 to $15 per month for typical doses.
  • Olanzapine generic: around $6 to $40 per month, depending on dose.
  • Aripiprazole generic: often $15 to $80 per month; brand can exceed $800.
  • Ziprasidone generic: about $10 to $30 per month.
  • Lurasidone brand: frequently $400 to $1000 per month if uninsured.

Insurance copays, manufacturer coupons (brand), and state assistance programs can change these figures. Ask your pharmacist to check lower-cost pharmacies or discount cards. Jump to Alternatives.