This article describes Seroquel’s dosage and strength and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Seroquel.
If you want to know more about Seroquel, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Seroquel is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet. It’s available in a generic version called quetiapine. This article describes dosages of Seroquel.
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).
See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.
Form and strengths of Seroquel
Seroquel comes as follows:
- Form: a tablet that you swallow
- Strengths: 25 milligrams (mg), 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg
Dosage of Seroquel
This article describes the recommended dosages for Seroquel. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Seroquel without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of Seroquel in adults
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Seroquel. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Seroquel that gives the desired outcome.
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Seroquel based on your condition. The following table outlines the recommended dosage of Seroquel for adults in milligrams (mg).
| Condition | Starting dosage | Maintenance dosage* | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|
| schizophrenia | 25 mg twice per day | 150–750 mg per day | 750 mg per day |
| bipolar mania | 50 mg twice per day | 400–800 mg per day | 800 mg per day |
| bipolar depression | 50 mg once per day at bedtime | 300 mg per day | 300 mg per day |
* A maintenance dosage is what you’ll take throughout your treatment, usually after a starting dosage.
Dosages of Seroquel in children
The following table outlines the recommended dosages of Seroquel for children.
| Condition | Starting dosage | Maintenance dosage* | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|
| schizophrenia in children ages 13 – 17 years | 25 mg twice per day | 400–800 mg per day | 800 mg per day |
| bipolar mania in children ages 10 – 17 years | 25 mg twice per day | 400–600 mg per day | 600 mg per day |
Dosage adjustments for Seroquel
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Seroquel based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
Missed dose of Seroquel
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of Seroquel. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of Seroquel and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Seroquel and its dosage.
Can Seroquel be used for sleep? If so, what is the dosage?
Maybe. But Seroquel isn’t approved for sleep. It’s approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
In some cases, doctors may prescribe Seroquel off-label for sleep. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
If you have questions about treatment options for sleep, talk with your doctor.
What is considered a high dose of Seroquel?
The maximum dosage of Seroquel can vary depending on the condition that’s being treated. The highest recommended dosage of Seroquel for any use is 800 mg per day.
The following table outlines the maximum dosage of Seroquel for adults.
| Condition | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|
| schizophrenia | 750 mg per day |
| bipolar mania | 800 mg per day |
| bipolar depression | 300 mg per day |
If you have more questions about what’s considered a high dose of Seroquel, talk with your doctor.
Do older adults need to take a lower dose of Seroquel?
Possibly. In some older adults, Seroquel may clear from the body more slowly, compared to younger adults. This means Seroquel could reach higher levels in the body and increase the risk of side effects. (In general, the term “older adults” refers to people ages 65 years and older.)
Older adults are also at greater risk for orthostatic hypotension, a potential side effect of Seroquel. Orthostatic hypotension is a form of low blood pressure that occurs when you stand up from a seated or lying down position.
To lower these risks, the drugmaker recommends a lower starting dosage of Seroquel for older adults. If you have questions about the right dosage of Seroquel for older adults, talk with your doctor.
How does the dosage of Seroquel compare with the dosage of Seroquel XR?
Seroquel and Seroquel XR are both approved to treat similar conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Seroquel XR can also be used along with other medications for depression.
The table below shows the recommended dosages of both Seroquel and Seroquel XR for certain conditions in adults.
| Condition | Seroquel starting dosage | Seroquel XR starting dosage |
|---|---|---|
| schizophrenia | 25 mg twice per day | 300 mg once per day |
| bipolar mania | 50 mg twice per day | 300 mg once per day |
| bipolar depression | 50 mg once per day at bedtime | 50 mg once per day |
Both Seroquel and Seroquel XR contain quetiapine, the active ingredient that makes the drug work. However, they differ in how the active ingredient is released in your body.
Seroquel is an immediate-release (IR) medication, which means the drug is released into your body right away. Seroquel XR is an extended-release (ER) medication, which means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time. For this reason, Seroquel XR is typically only taken once per day.
If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor.
Is Seroquel taken long term?
It can be. Doctors may prescribe Seroquel as a short-term or long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you have questions about how long you should take Seroquel, talk with your doctor.
Is there a risk of dependence or withdrawal with Seroquel?
Seroquel isn’t known to cause drug dependence. With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual.
If you need to stop taking Seroquel, your doctor will likely come up with a plan to have you gradually lower your dosage until it’s safe for you to stop the drug completely.
This is because suddenly stopping Seroquel may cause side effects known as discontinuation syndrome. Examples of these side effects include trouble sleeping, nausea, and vomiting.
If you have questions about the risk of withdrawal with Seroquel, talk with your doctor.
How Seroquel is taken
You’ll swallow Seroquel one to two times per day. You can take it with or without food.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
Swallow the tablets whole. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Seroquel coupon
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Get free cardOverdose of Seroquel
It’s important that you do not take more Seroquel than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of Seroquel overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- drowsiness
- fast heart rate
- low blood pressure
- coma
- delirium
What to do if you take too much Seroquel
If you think you’ve taken too much Seroquel, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for Seroquel. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of Seroquel without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take Seroquel exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Will my dosage of Seroquel change if I take other drugs with it?
- Will a higher dosage of Seroquel increase my risk of side effects?
- How long will I need to take Seroquel?
Boxed warnings for Seroquel
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 FDA.
Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors: Seroquel can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people ages 24 years and younger. Due to this risk, doctors likely won’t prescribe Seroquel for children under 10 years of age. If you experience any signs of worsening mood or suicidal thoughts or behaviors, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend that you stop taking Seroquel.
Increased risk of death in certain older adults: Seroquel can increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. Psychosis is a group of symptoms that can impair your relationship with reality. Due to this risk, Seroquel should not be taken by older adults who have dementia-related psychosis.
If you have questions about these boxed warnings, you can talk with your doctor to learn more.
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.