Quetiapine (generic for Seroquel®)

Quetiapine is the generic equivalent of Seroquel® and quetiapine ER is the generic equivalent of Seroquel® XR.

By law, a generic drug must be the same as its brand name counterpart in terms of active ingredient, dosage, safety, effectiveness, strength, stability, and quality. A generic may, however, differ in its inactive ingredients (i.e. flavoring, fillers, and preservatives).

Quetiapine (Seroquel®) does come with serious warnings. These include:

• Increased risk of death and cerebrovascular events (i.e. stroke, transient ischemic attack) in older adults with dementia-related psychosis*

• Worsening depression; increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in young adults

• Increased fall risk

• Infection risk due to decreased white blood cell count (WBC)

• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

• Metabolic changes, including high blood sugar, increased cholesterol and triglycerides, and weight gain

• Tardive dyskinesia—a movement disorder featuring uncontrollable, strange, repetitive movements of the face and/or other body parts

• Low blood pressure (hypotension)

• High prolactin levels

• Seizures

• Decreased thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)

• Prolongation of QT interval—a potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disorder that can cause fast, irregular heartbeats

• Cognitive and motor impairment

• Cataracts

If any of the above concern you, speak with your healthcare professional about your perceived risk and other treatment options that exist.

*This warning is a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious type of medication warning assigned by the FDA.

Quetiapine is FDA approved for the treatment of:

• Schizophrenia

• Bipolar I disorder, manic episodes

• Bipolar disorder, depressive episodes

Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic. How quetiapine works remains unclear, but it’s thought to work on certain neurotransmitters (dopamine and serotonin) in the brain to improve both manic and depressive symptoms.

The most common side effects of quetiapine include:

• Drowsiness, sedation

• Lightheadedness

• Dry mouth, constipation

• Dizziness

• Abnormal physical weakness or fatigue (asthenia)

• Abdominal pain

• Low blood pressure when standing after sitting or lying down (postural hypotension)

• Pharyngitis

• Weight gain

• Painful or difficult urination

Side effects may improve over time as your body adjusts to the medicine.

This list doesn’t represent all possible adverse effects (or serious side effects) of quetiapine. If you’re experiencing any ongoing, bothersome side effect(s), tell your healthcare provider right away.

If you’d like to learn more, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also has a helpful medication guide for quetiapine here.

Quetiapine can interact with some medicines and supplements. It’s always recommended to give both your doctor and pharmacy an updated list of everything you’re taking, so drug interactions can be identified.

Some medicines and supplements quetiapine can interact with include:

• Certain anti-infective drugs: erythromycin, itraconazole, indinavir, ketoconazole, ritonavir, rifampin

• St. John’s Wort

• Seizure medicines: phenytoin, carbamazepine, divalproex

• Rifampin

• Nefazodone

• Alcohol

• Other antipsychotic medications: thioridazine

• Antidepressants: sertraline, citalopram, fluoxetine

• Drugs that act on the central nervous system (CNS)

• Benzodiazepines: lorazepam, diazepam

This list doesn’t represent all the drugs that may not be safe to take with quetiapine. If you’re unsure whether a certain drug or supplement can be taken with quetiapine, seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist. The FDA also has a helpful medication guide for quetiapine here.

If you miss a dose of quetiapine, it’s a good idea to just wait until your next scheduled dose instead of trying to take the missed dose. Don't take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Quetiapine may be taken with or without food.

During pregnancy: Research suggests that quetiapine isn’t associated with birth defects, but may cause short-lived withdrawal symptoms in your baby. Some evidence also suggests that women taking quetiapine while pregnant may be more likely to develop gestational diabetes.

While breastfeeding: Quetiapine enters breastmilk in very small amounts and is unlikely to cause side effects in your baby. Data shows the drug is likely okay to use while breastfeeding.

It’s important to treat mental health-related conditions when pregnant or nursing, as untreated depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses can harm both you and baby. Always let your provider know if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, so you can discuss the risks and benefits of starting or continuing quetiapine. Always let your provider know if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, so you can discuss the benefits and risks of starting or continuing quetiapine.

It’s recommended to avoid or limit the use of alcohol when taking quetiapine. Alcohol can intensify certain side effects of the drug.