This article describes possible side effects of Seroquel. You can explore this overview article to learn more about Seroquel, including the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.
Seroquel is a brand-name medication that comes as a tablet you’ll swallow. It’s available in a generic version called quetiapine. This article describes possible side effects of Seroquel.
Boxed warnings
Seroquel oral tablet has boxed warnings about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors and increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Side effects of Seroquel in detail” section below.
More common side effects of Seroquel
Seroquel 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 Seroquel oral tablet include:
Mild side effects of Seroquel
Seroquel oral tablet may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of Seroquel oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Seroquel in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with Seroquel oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Seroquel oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of Seroquel
Seroquel may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Seroquel 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 Seroquel.
Serious side effects of Seroquel oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Seroquel in detail” section below.
† Seroquel has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of Seroquel in detail” section below.
‡ An allergic reaction is possible with Seroquel oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
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Side effects of Seroquel in children
For children, doctors prescribe Seroquel oral tablet to treat the following conditions:
In studies, the following side effects were more common in children than in adults:
If you’d like to know more about side effects in children taking Seroquel oral tablet, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Common questions about side effects of Seroquel
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Seroquel oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does a lower dose of Seroquel, such as 25 mg, cause fewer side effects than the drug’s other strengths?
Maybe. Generally speaking, a higher drug dosage is more likely to cause side effects compared to a lower dosage.
Some side effects that were more likely to happen with a higher Seroquel dose in studies included:
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about how your Seroquel dosage affects your risk of side effects.
Is Seroquel safe for older adults?
It depends on your specific health history and other factors.
For example, having a kidney or liver condition can raise your risk of side effects caused by Seroquel. And older adults (ages 65 years and above) are more likely to have problems with their kidneys or liver compared to younger adults. Older adults are also more likely to take multiple medications. Medication interactions with Seroquel may increase your risk of side effects.
Also, Seroquel has a boxed warning regarding use in elderly adults with dementia-related psychosis. See the “Side effects in detail” section to learn more.
Your doctor or pharmacist can answer more questions you have about whether your age affects your risk of side effects from taking Seroquel.
Are side effects of Seroquel seen in females similar to those seen in males?
Side effects caused by Seroquel are expected to be the same in males* and females*, according to studies of the drug.
That said, high levels of the hormone prolactin, a rare side effect of Seroquel, can cause reversible infertility in females. While high prolactin can also affect males taking Seroquel, it’s not expected to cause infertility.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about your risk of side effects from Seroquel.
*Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “males” and “females” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
How do side effects of Seroquel compare with those seen with Seroquel XR?
Seroquel and Seroquel XR are expected to cause the same side effects.
Seroquel and Seroquel XR both contain quetiapine as the active ingredient (what makes a drug work). But they differ in that Seroquel XR is specially formulated to slowly release quetiapine into your body over a period of time.
Seroquel, on the other hand, releases quetiapine all at once. As a result, Seroquel is usually taken twice per day, while Seroquel XR is taken once per day.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to learn more about how Seroquel and Seroquel XR compare.
Does Seroquel cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases Seroquel 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 Seroquel include:
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 Seroquel may last.
Side effects of Seroquel in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Seroquel.
Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Seroquel has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
Medications prescribed to treat depression, including depression related to bipolar disorder, may raise the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. (Seroquel is approved to treat depression related to bipolar disorder in adults).
This is based on short-term studies that showed a small increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults (up to ages 24 years) treated with antidepressants.
It doesn’t appear that Seroquel increased the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors in studies that led to the drug’s approval. But it’s given this risk since it’s used to treat depression related to bipolar disorder in adults.
With suicidal thoughts, you have thoughts of harming yourself. Symptoms may include:
- expressing that you wish you weren’t alive or that others would be better off without you
- making plans to give away your possessions and treating others as if you won’t see them again
- behaving in ways that can lead to negative or harmful outcomes, including excessive alcohol or drug use
Ways to manage
If you experience changes in your thoughts, feelings, or behavior while taking Seroquel oral tablet, tell your doctor. It’s helpful to have people who are close to you watch for these signs as well. Parents, guardians, and caregivers of children taking Seroquel oral tablet should watch for any changes in the child.
If you or a child experience these signs of suicidal thoughts or behaviors, your doctor will likely recommend stopping Seroquel and switching to a different treatment.
To learn more, see the “Suicide prevention” section below.
Suicide prevention
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
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.
Increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis
Seroquel has a boxed warning for the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
Antipsychotic drugs, including Seroquel, increase the risk of death if they’re used in older adults (ages 65 years and above) to treat dementia-related psychosis.
With dementia, you experience a decline in your ability to think. This affects things such as behavior, memory, and thinking. Psychosis causes you to experience an impaired relationship with reality, such as seeing or hearing things that aren’t actually real. Psychosis can be a complication of dementia.
Ways to manage
Because of this risk, doctors won’t prescribe antipsychotic drugs, including Seroquel, to treat dementia-related psychosis. Instead, they’ll prescribe safer treatments for this condition.
Tardive dyskinesia
In studies, tardive dyskinesia was rare in people using Seroquel. This side effect may be serious.
With tardive dyskinesia, you experience uncontrolled movements in your body. Symptoms include repetitive, uncontrollable movements in your face, limbs, or torso. Some example movements include:
- frequent blinking
- puckering or smacking your lips
- puffing out your cheeks
Certain factors can increase the risk of tardive dyskinesia with Seroquel. These include the length of your treatment with Seroquel and the amount of other antipsychotic drugs you have taken in your life.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, tell your doctor right away. They can discuss tardive dyskinesia treatment options with you. This may include:
- stopping treatment with Seroquel and trying a different antipsychotic
- trying a medication for treating tardive dyskinesia, such as Austedo (deutetrabenazine)
- having a type of surgery called deep brain stimulation
For some people, Seroquel can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they 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 trouble 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 Seroquel, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for Seroquel
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Seroquel.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors and increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Side effects of Seroquel in detail” section above.
Other warnings
It may not be safe for you to take Seroquel if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Seroquel is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking Seroquel, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Seroquel and pregnancy
There are risks to using Seroquel while pregnant, especially if used during the third trimester. But there are also risks to having untreated bipolar disorder or schizophrenia while pregnant.
If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. They can review the benefits and risks of treatments for your condition, including Seroquel, when used during pregnancy.
If you and your doctor agree you’ll use Seroquel while pregnant, consider joining the atypical antipsychotic pregnancy registry. This registry helps determine the safety of atypical antipsychotics such as Seroquel when used by pregnant people. You can learn more or join the registry by calling 1-866-961-2388 or by visiting this site.
Seroquel and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether Seroquel should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Seroquel is known to interact with alcohol. It may be best to avoid or minimize alcohol consumption while you’re taking Seroquel. Consuming alcohol while taking Seroquel could worsen certain side effects, including impaired coordination and thinking.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about avoiding alcohol while taking Seroquel.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of Seroquel. 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:
- How do side effects of Seroquel compare with other atypical antipsychotics, such as aripiprazole?
- Does Seroquel have similar side effects as haloperidol?
- If Seroquel works to treat my condition but I experience side effects, can you prescribe a lower dosage for me to try?
- Do any medications I take interact with Seroquel and raise my risk of interactions?
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.
