Quetiapine oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved quetiapine oral tablet to treat:

• schizophrenia in adults and certain children
• bipolar I disorder in adults

The medication is also approved for short-term treatment of:

• mania related to bipolar I disorder in adults and certain children
• depression related to bipolar I disorder or bipolar II disorder in adults

This article describes possible side effects of quetiapine oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for quetiapine. You can explore this overview article to learn more about quetiapine, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more.

Quetiapine oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Seroquel. Quetiapine also comes in an extended-release tablet form, but that isn’t described in this article. To learn more about that form, talk with your doctor.

Boxed warnings

Quetiapine has boxed warnings about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors and increased risk of death in certain older adults. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Side effects of quetiapine in detail” section below.

More common side effects of quetiapine

Quetiapine oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of quetiapine oral tablet include:

• dry mouth
• dizziness
• constipation
• weakness
• abdominal pain

Mild side effects of quetiapine

Mild side effects of quetiapine oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• abdominal pain
• constipation
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fatigue
• headache
• indigestion
• nasal congestion
• sleepiness
• sore throat
• weakness
• weight gain
• vomiting
• mild allergic reaction*

Quetiapine oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of quetiapine in detail” section below.

Serious side effects of quetiapine

Quetiapine may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from quetiapine oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with quetiapine.

Serious side effects of quetiapine oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• cataracts
• high blood pressure
• high blood sugar
• high cholesterol
• high levels of the hormone prolactin
• impaired thinking and coordination
• long QT syndrome
• dizziness on standing up
• low thyroid hormone levels
• low white blood cell count
• neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• obstruction in your intestines
• problems with regulating body temperature
• seizures
• tardive dyskinesia
• difficulty swallowing
• withdrawal symptoms, especially if treatment is stopped suddenly
• risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors*
• increased risk of death in certain older adults*
• severe allergic reaction†

* Quetiapine oral tablet has a boxed warning for these side effects. To learn more about these side effects, see the “Side effects of quetiapine in detail” section below.

† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of quetiapine in detail” section below.

Side effects of quetiapine in children

For children, doctors prescribe quetiapine oral tablet to treat:

• schizophrenia in children ages 13 years and older
• mania related to bipolar I disorder in children ages 10 years and older

In studies, the following side effects were more common in children than in adults:

• nausea
• increased appetite
• high blood pressure
• sleepiness
• fatigue
• increased heart rate

If you’d like to know more about side effects in children taking quetiapine oral tablet, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Common questions about side effects of quetiapine

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of quetiapine oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does quetiapine cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases, quetiapine oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time. Some may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.

Examples of long-term side effects reported with quetiapine oral tablet include:

• high blood sugar
• high cholesterol
• high level of the hormone prolactin
• impaired thinking and coordination
• weight gain
• tardive dyskinesia

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of quetiapine may last.

Is quetiapine safe for older adults?

It depends. Quetiapine may be safe for certain older adults but not others. Many factors determine whether quetiapine is safe for you to take, including your health history and other medications you take.

Certain older adults should not take quetiapine. For example, quetiapine oral tablet should not be prescribed to treat dementia-related psychosis in people ages 65 years and older. To learn more, see the “Side effects of quetiapine in detail” section below.

Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about the risks and benefits of treatment with quetiapine.

Does quetiapine cause problems with urination?

Yes, in rare cases, quetiapine may cause urinary retention. With this condition, you’re unable to completely empty your bladder.

Certain factors can increase the risk of urinary retention with quetiapine. These include having an enlarged prostate and taking certain other medications, such as oxybutynin for an overactive bladder.

Before taking quetiapine oral tablet, tell your doctor about other health conditions you have or medications you take. They can recommend whether quetiapine is a safe treatment option.

Coupon for quetiapine

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for quetiapine when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Side effects quetiapine in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of quetiapine oral tablet.

Boxed warnings

Quetiapine oral tablet has boxed warnings about the risk of the following serious side effects. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors were not reported in studies of quetiapine. But because the drug is prescribed to treat depression related to bipolar disorder, it has a warning for these effects.

Any drug prescribed to treat depression, including depression related to bipolar disorder, is given this warning. This is because studies have shown a small short-term increase in the risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults (up to age 24 years) treated with antidepressants. Quetiapine may be prescribed to treat depression related to bipolar disorder in adults. It’s not prescribed for this use in people under the age of 18 years.

With suicidal thoughts and behaviors, you experience thoughts of harming yourself. Symptoms may include feeling worthless and making plans to give away your possessions.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of suicidal thoughts or behaviors, immediately tell your doctor. You can also call or text 988 to reach the free Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. To learn more, see the “Suicide prevention” section below.

Increased risk of death in certain older adults

Antipsychotic drugs, including quetiapine, increase the risk of death when prescribed in older adults to treat psychosis related to dementia. Quetiapine is not approved for treating dementia-related psychosis.

Dementia is a decline in cognitive function, affecting things like memory, thinking, judgment, language, and behavior. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. And with psychosis, you experience an impaired relationship with reality. You may see or hear things that aren’t actually there, for example. Psychosis can be a complication of dementia, particularly in severe cases.

Ways to manage

Due to this risk, doctors will not prescribe quetiapine or other antipsychotics to treat dementia-related psychosis. They’ll prescribe safer treatments instead.

Suicide prevention

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Weight gain

In studies, weight gain was common in people taking quetiapine oral tablet. For some, this weight gain may be significant.

Increased appetite is also a side effect reported in studies of quetiapine. An increased appetite can lead to consuming more calories, which can contribute to weight gain. But quetiapine is known to cause other chemical (metabolic) changes besides weight gain, including blood sugar and cholesterol changes. Even if your appetite isn’t affected, quetiapine may still cause weight gain due to its effects on your metabolism.

Ways to manage

If you have concerns about weight gain while taking quetiapine, tell your doctor. They can review ways to maintain a weight that you are satisfied with. They can also review other treatments for your condition. While many antipsychotic medications such as quetiapine cause weight gain, some are less likely to do so.

Allergic reaction

For some people, quetiapine oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to quetiapine oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for quetiapine

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking quetiapine oral tablet.

Boxed warnings

This drug has boxed warnings about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors and increased risk of death in certain older adults. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Side effects of quetiapine in detail” section above.

Other warnings

It may not be safe for you to take quetiapine oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether quetiapine oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking quetiapine oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• high cholesterol
• high blood pressure
• blood cell problems, such as a low white blood cell count
• cataracts
• epilepsy or seizures
• high or low thyroid hormone level
• urinary retention
• enlarged prostate
• constipation
• heart conditions, such as heart failure
• liver conditions, such as cirrhosis
• past allergic reaction to quetiapine

Quetiapine and pregnancy

There are risks to taking quetiapine during pregnancy. But there are also risks to having untreated schizophrenia or bipolar disorder during this time as well.

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with quetiapine. They can also review the risks and benefits of different treatment options when prescribed during pregnancy to treat your condition.

Quetiapine and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether quetiapine oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Quetiapine and alcohol

Quetiapine oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol. Your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol while taking quetiapine. Drinking alcohol while taking quetiapine could worsen some side effects quetiapine may cause, including fatigue.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with quetiapine oral tablet.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of quetiapine oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Does quetiapine have similar side effects as other antipsychotic drugs?
• If I have had a heart attack in the past, is it safe for me to take quetiapine?
• If quetiapine is working to manage symptoms of my condition, but I experience side effects, can you prescribe a lower dosage for me to try?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.