Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Side Effects of Seroquel (Quetiapine) By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 06, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Steven Gans, MD Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Hitoshi Nishimura / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Common Side Effects Serious Side Effects Medication Interactions Seeking Emergency Help Other Precautions Frequently Asked Questions Seroquel (quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic drug used in the treatment of schizophrenia and the psychotic features of other mental illnesses, and for mood disorders, including bipolar disorder. It works by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. This minimizes dopamine activity and helps relieve symptoms of these conditions. Seroquel can be helpful and effective, but it is also important to be aware of the potential side effects. This includes common symptoms such as constipation, drowsiness, and rapid heartbeat, as well as more serious side effects such as tardive dyskinesia. Seroquel for Anxiety Common Side Effects Along with its therapeutic effects, Seroquel can sometimes cause side effects. Some side effects will have symptoms that you can see or feel. Your doctor may watch for others, such as changes in the lenses of the eyes, by doing certain tests. Check with your doctor if any of the following common side effects don't go away or are bothersome: Abdominal painAbnormal visionConstipationDecrease in appetiteDecreased strength and energyDizzinessDrowsinessDry mouthFast or irregular heartbeatHeadacheIncreased muscle toneIncreased sweatingIndigestionLightheadedness, or fainting, especially when getting up from a lying or sitting positionStuffy or runny nose The most commonly observed side effects were somnolence (18%), dizziness (11%), dry mouth (9%), and constipation (8%). Serious Side Effects In some cases, more serious side effects may occur. Some of these include: Increased risk of death due to dementia-related psychosisIncreased risk of suicidal thoughtsPotential serious weight loss or weight gain Seroquel can increase the amount of a hormone called prolactin. In some cases, this may interrupt menstruation or breastfeeding. It can also cause decreased sex drive and erectile dysfunction. Long-term exposure to elevated prolactin levels can increase the risk for osteoperosis and bone fractures. Tardive Dyskinesia Tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder, may occur and may not go away after you stop using Seroquel. This was much more common with the older antipsychotic medications, but can very rarely occur with the newer atypical agents such as Seroquel. Signs of tardive dyskinesia include: Chewing or sucking movementsGrimacing (making faces)Lip-smackingPuckering or pursing the lipsRapid eye blinkingTongue protrusionWorm-like tongue movements Medication Interactions Combining Seroquel with other medications can affect how each medication functions or may lead to increased or decreased side effects. Some of the medications that may interact with Seroquel include: Anticonvulsants including carbamazepineAntidepressants including fluoxetineAntifungal drugs including itraconazole and ketoconazoleAntihistamines such as chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, or brompheniramineBarbiturates including phenobarbitalBenzodiazepines including alazopram, clonazepam, diazapam, and lorazepamHerbal supplements such as St. John's wortHIV medications including indinavir and ritonavirMuscle relaxants including baclofen and metaxaloneParkinson's medications including levodopaPain medications including codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, and oxycodone Seroquel should not be taken with anti-arrhythmic drugs, pentamidine, or methadone. These medications may lead to potentially fatal heart rhythm problems if they are combined with Seroquel. For this reason, it is important to talk to your prescribing physician about other medications or supplements you are currently taking it. This medication can also lead to increased risks when combined with alcohol or illicit substance, so be sure to talk about any substances you might be using. When to Seek Help Another serious but extremely rare side effect that may occur as a result of taking Seroquel is neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Stop taking this medicine and get emergency help immediately if the following symptoms of NMS occur, particularly if they occur together: Convulsions (seizures)Difficult or unusually fast breathingFast heartbeat or irregular pulseHigh feverHigh or low (irregular) blood pressureIncreased sweatingSevere muscle stiffness Notify your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms of overdose occur: drowsiness, fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, and low bread pressure and weakness. These symptoms may be more severe than side effects occurring at regular doses, or several symptoms may occur together. What Are the Signs of an Overdose? Other Precautions If you're taking or plan to take Seroquel, keep in mind these precautions: The FDA issued a black box warning on all antipsychotic drugs, including Seroquel, due to the increased risk of death in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. Because Seroquel may cause drowsiness, don't drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or if you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor. Don't ever stop Seroquel or change the amount you are taking without your doctor's approval, even if you feel better. This can lead to unwanted effects and problems managing your illness. Make sure you don't miss any doses of Seroquel as this can lead to a relapse of the symptoms of your mental disorder. If you use alcohol or illegal drugs, tell your doctor since these may make any side effects you experience even worse. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids while on Seroquel and avoid becoming overheated. How Long Does Withdrawal From Seroquel (Quetiapine) Last? Frequently Asked Questions Is Seroquel habit-forming? Seroquel is not habit-forming, but you should not stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor first. You may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking your medication, so you may be advised to gradually taper your dose in order to avoid unpleasant symptoms. Learn More: How Long Does Seroquel Withdrawal Last? How long does Seroquel stay in your system? Seroquel has a half-life of around six hours. This means that it takes around six hours for half of the dose to be eliminated from your body. While it varies for each individual, the medication may stay in your system for around a day and a half. Factors such as your metabolism, overall health, kidney function, and age can affect how fast the drug is eliminated. Does Seroquel cause weight gain? Studies suggest that around 5% of people who use Seroquel experience weight gain as a side effect. Long-term treatment with Seroquel may be associated with moderate weight gain, most of which occurs during the first 12 weeks after beginning treatment. 7 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Seroquel. Food and Drug Administration. Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate) tablets. Chen CY, Lane HY, Lin CH. Effects of antipsychotics on bone mineral density in patients with schizophrenia: Gender differences. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2016;14(3):238-249. doi:10.9758/cpn.2016.14.3.238 Bergman H, Rathbone J, Agarwal V, Soares-Weiser K. Antipsychotic reduction and/or cessation and antipsychotics as specific treatments for tardive dyskinesia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;2:CD000459. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000459.pub3 Christodoulou C, Margaritis D, Makris G, et al. Quetiapine and clarithromycin-induced neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2015;38(1):36-37. doi:10.1097/WNF.0000000000000060 Cosci F, Chouinard G. Acute and persistent withdrawal syndromes following discontinuation of psychotropic medications. Psychother Psychosom. 2020;89(5):283-306. doi:10.1159/000506868 Brecher M, Leong RW, Stening G, Osterling-Koskinen L, Jones AM. Quetiapine and long-term weight change: a comprehensive data review of patients with schizophrenia. J Clin Psychiatry. 2007;68(4):597-603. doi:10.4088/jcp.v68n0416 Additional Reading National Alliance on Mental Health. Quetiapine (Seroquel). By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. 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