Seroquel (quetiapine) is an antipsychotic drug used to treat certain mental health illnesses and mood disorders, like depression or bipolar disorder. However, there are some potential quetiapine side effects, which may prove to be dangerous. The information about common and severe Seroquel side effects and symptoms is vital for a user who starts the treatment with this medication. What are the side effects of Seroquel? Does it pose risks during pregnancy? What are some Quetiapine warnings to know? Read along further to find out.
Table Of Contents:
Common Side Effects Of Seroquel
Quetiapine drug class is atypical antipsychotics that work by changing the activity of certain natural substances in the brain. Due to that, Seroquel uses mainly include treating schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and other mental illnesses. Like all antipsychotic medicines, Quetiapine can cause adverse reactions that may not be serious and do not require medical attention or special treatment.
As the patient’s body adjusts to the medicine, these common quetiapine fumarate side effects may go away.
Some of These Common Adverse Reactions Are Listed Below:
- Constipation
- Weight gain
- Indigestion
- Abdominal pain
- Upset stomach
- Decreased appetite
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
- Fainting
- Mood changes
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Trouble sleeping
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Lethargy
- Dry mouth
- Heartburn
- Increased sweating
Apart from these common and less bothersome Seroquel side effects, there are a few common symptoms, which require medical attention. Seek the doctor’s help if a user experiences confusion, cold sweats, chills, or abnormal vision.
Severe Quetiapine Adverse Reactions
Along with the therapeutic Seroquel effect, it can sometimes cause certain severe adverse reactions that would require immediate attention from a doctor. These symptoms are relatively less common but can be dangerous if left untreated.
Watch Out for Any of the Following Severe Side Effects of Seroquel:
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Drooling
- Sores or ulcers on the lips or inside the mouth
- High fever
- Muscular aches
- Swelling in limbs
- Puffed cheeks
- Shakiness in arms, legs, hands, and feet
- Difficulty walking
- Unusual bleeding
- Trouble while breathing and swallowing
- Swollen glands
- Spasms in the eyelids
- Increased blinking
- Difficulty or inability to move the eyes
One more Seroquel effect is its ability to cause high blood sugar. It is also called hyperglycemia. In the long run, this condition can even cause diabetes. Such symptoms as increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, and fruity breath odor can signify hyperglycemia.
Other Risks
Quetiapine can also cause severe conditions and adverse reactions when used long-term.
The Long-Term Quetiapine Side Effects Are Discussed Below:
- In rare cases, patients on quetiapine can develop a severe movement disorder called Tardive dyskinesia. This health condition may not even go away after the patient has stopped Seroquel. Its symptoms include fine, jerky, and fast movements of the tongue and other uncontrolled movements of the arms, legs, jaws, cheeks, and mouth. Immediately seek medical attention from a doctor if any of these symptoms are experienced.
- Based on the study regarding the concerns about quetiapine, Seroquel and weight gain have been associated with the differing relative risk of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia. This weight gain also increases the risk of metabolic complications, most commonly in patients with several cardiovascular lifestyle risk factors such as smoking and drinking.
- Long-term quetiapine fumarate side effects also include an increase in triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol. It is accompanied by a decrease in good cholesterol (HDL). This calls for regular monitoring of cholesterol levels during therapy with quetiapine.
- An infrequent but dangerous side effect of quetiapine is a neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). This health condition requires immediate medical attention and is depicted by a high fever, irregular or fast heartbeat, high or low blood pressure, seizures, difficulty breathing, severe muscle stiffness, and increased sweating.
- Quetiapine can also cause a decrease in white blood cells, which can prove to be fatal if not monitored.
According to the published guidelines by the FDA, Seroquel can cause an increase in suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and adults when used for the long term.
Do not take alcohol and Seroquel together as it can worsen the adverse reactions experienced.
Use in Pregnancy
Seroquel pregnancy category is defined as category C, which means that animal reproduction studies had shown adverse effects on the fetus when this medicine was used. However, there are no adequate or well-controlled studies in human beings to determine whether the same effect is observed in their fetuses or not. According to this category, the drug may be used in pregnant females if its potential benefits warrant its use despite the potential risks.
The use of Quetiapine during pregnancy in the case of the mother who has schizophrenia may cause more benefit to the mother outweighing the potential risk. There is a study about quetiapine dose adjustments in pregnant and postpartum women with bipolar disorder. According to it, quetiapine dose is adjusted in pregnant women to decrease the adverse effects while still treating the mental disorder.
Seroquel and breastfeeding warnings indicate that an exclusively breastfed infant receives about 0.09% to 0.43% of the maternal dose.
However, there are not enough long-term studies to determine the effects on the nursing infant exposed to this medicine during breastfeeding. The decision to continue or discontinue taking Seroquel during pregnancy must be weighed based on how critical the treatment is for the mother.
Quetiapine Warnings
Before a patient starts taking quetiapine, they should discuss with the doctor any health condition they might be experiencing or any other drugs that they are on. Seroquel side effects may cause some of these conditions to worsen. Since the drug’s approval as a medication for specific mental health problems, there have been controversies on its applications in mental health. This dilemma has led to warnings by the FDA on prescription medication as there are health conditions that may escalate the effects of the drug, leading to complications. There is also a problem with the prevalence of the drug’s prescriptions for off-label uses, which lack studies proving its efficacy.
The following precautions should be taken and discussed with the doctor before using Seroquel:
Allergy
Individuals who are allergic to quetiapine or any of the ingredients of Seroquel XR should not use this medicine. It can cause a severe allergic reaction, including hives and difficulty in breathing.
Seroquel for Sleep
Increasing off-label uses for Seroquel, with an unusually high incidence of using Seroquel as a sleep aid, has become alarming.
This Is Because of the Following Reasons:
- Lack of compelling evidence of efficacy for treatment of these conditions
- Lack of thorough examination of potential risks, particularly with prolonged intake
- Blatant disregard of approved Seroquel prescribing information and quetiapine warnings
The sedating effect of quetiapine is what has catapulted it to fame as a treatment for a sleep disorder. Although typically prescribed at a low Seroquel dose for sleep, this does not discount that even a low Seroquel dose may cause more harm than good. As one research pointed out, efficacy and safety studies are lacking. Moreover, many other drugs have been approved for the treatment of insomnia. There are no guarantees that taking quetiapine fumarate for sleep disorders results in benefits that clearly outweigh the risks.
Dementia
The FDA advised against the use of Seroquel by the elderly who have been diagnosed with dementia. That is because the drug has been known to cause severe withdrawal symptoms, even while on a tapering schedule. The medication may also cause poor memory, rapid change in mood and personality, and confusion. The treatment with this medication can be fatal to those with dementia.
Use in Children
The efficacy and safety of the medication in younger children are inconclusive. Experts do not recommend this medication for children younger than 13 years of age. Taking it can cause more severe Quetiapine side effects. The medication dramatically affects the CNS and brings about a feeling of depression, low self-worth, and suicidal behaviors, especially among individuals who are younger than 24 years in age.
Interactions With Other Substances
Taking quetiapine with other drugs may lead to serious health risks during withdrawals. They may influence Seroquel metabolism and elimination from the body.
Substances such as alcohol may increase the medication’s potency, resulting in heavy sedation or worse conditions. Overdosing on Seroquel is also possible, especially if it is mixed with other drugs.
Always consult a doctor about other drugs you are taking. The doctor will provide the necessary information about drug interactions which will help avoid the dangers.
Patients should also discuss with their doctor previous conditions such as seizures, low white blood cell count, abnormal thyroid tests, heart or liver problems, cataracts, high prolactin levels, or any other disease before starting treatment as all these conditions can be aggravated as a result of the Quetiapine side effects.
How To Use Seroquel Safely
When it comes to Quetiapine treatment, it’s always important to discuss with the doctor everything one is concerned about. As different studies show, Quetiapine side effects can be dangerous in some cases, especially if patients ignore the precautions and warnings. In case the patient suffers from any conditions mentioned in Quetiapine warnings, the doctor might prescribe an alternative medication. The choice will depend on individual factors, and it is essential to be honest as it can make the treatment effective.
Quetiapine is also known for its addictive properties. Addiction to Seroquel may cause patients to take larger doses of medication or increase the frequency of administration, which can lead to severe health damage or even death. If symptoms of Seroquel abuse were noted in a loved one, it is time to take action. Ask an addiction therapist about a rehab facility that can address this disease.
Hope Without Commitment
Find the best treatment options. Call our free and confidential helpline
Most private insurances accepted
Page Sources
- Brett, J. (2015). Concerns about quetiapine. Australian prescriber, 38(3), 95. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4653966/
- FDA, Medication Guide Seroquel, https://www.fda.gov/files/drugs/published/Seroquel-Medication-Guide.pdf
- Pinheiro, E., Wisner, K. L., & Clark, C. T. (2018). Quetiapine dose adjustments in pregnant and postpartum women with bipolar disorder. Journal of clinical psychopharmacology, 38(1), 89. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5734989/
- McConville, B., Carrero, L., Sweitzer, D., Potter, L., Chaney, R., Foster, K., ... & Browne, K. (2003). Long-term safety, tolerability, and clinical efficacy of quetiapine in adolescents: an open-label extension trial. Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology, 13(1), 75-82. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12804128/
- Nanasawa, H., Sako, A., Mitsutsuka, T., Nonogaki, K., Kondo, T., Mishima, S., ... & Yanai, H. (2017). Development of diabetes mellitus associated with quetiapine: A case series. Medicine, 96(3). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5279094/
- Anderson, S. L., & Vande Griend, J. P. (2014). Quetiapine for insomnia: a review of the literature. American journal of health-system pharmacy, 71(5), 394-402. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24534594
- Koch, H. J. (2015). Severe quetiapine withdrawal syndrome with nausea and vomiting in a 65-year-old patient with psychotic depression. Therapie, 70(6), 537-538. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26242495
- Gortney, J. S., Fagan, A., & Kissack, J. C. (2009). Neuroleptic malignant syndrome secondary to quetiapine. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 43(4), 785-791. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19299325/
