Seroquel Abuse: How Quetiapine Abuse Impacts Individual Health?

Seroquel, also known as Quetiapine, is approved for the treatment of specific mood disorders. Quetiapine medication was initially approved by the FDA in 1997. Since then, sales of Seroquel medicine grew dramatically. That happens because people started taking Quetiapine Fumarate pills for off-label and recreational purposes. Medically unapproved and recreational uses of this medicine, failure to comply with prescribed treatment schedule are the leading causes of Seroquel abuse and commonly lead to addiction to this drug.
Read on to learn more about Seroquel addiction, factors that increase a person’s risk of becoming addicted, how Quetiapine abuse can be spotted, and how this kind of addiction is treated?

Hope Without Commitment

Find the best treatment options. Call our free and confidential helpline

Most private insurances accepted

Marketing fee may apply

(888)-459-5511

What Is Seroquel?

Seroquel drug class is called atypical antipsychotics. Drugs under this category are sold by prescription only. Quetiapine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the following uses:

• Management of schizophrenia
• Management of the bipolar disorder
• Adjunct treatment for Major Depressive Disorder

Increasingly, it is also prescribed for some other conditions off label. The efficacy of quetiapine for the treatment and management of conditions listed under off label use is mostly under-studied or unproven. In 2010, Seroquel manufacturer, AstraZeneca, was even fined $520 million by the U.S. Government for allegedly marketing off-label use of the drug. Among others, Seroquel for sleep was a common use. However, according to a study by Jonathan  Brett in 2015, there is insufficient evidence to support the efficacy of any Seroquel dosage for insomnia.

What Does Seroquel Look Like?

This medication comes in many forms, shapes, and sizes. It is available in tablets and liquid form. Quetiapine pills are typically reserved for higher doses. Its generic form costs about five times less than the branded Seroquel price tag.

How Quetiapine Works

How does Seroquel work in one’s brain and body? Quetiapine acts on neurotransmitters in the brain, which results in a calming effect and enhanced mood. At the same time, Seroquel half-life is about 6 hours, and it should be taken several times per day to achieve a sustainable calming effect.
Some Seroquel side effects may be expected when taking it. Commonly reported side effects include:

• Sedation
• Fatigue and weakness
• Lowered blood pressure
• Development of diabetes
• Weight gain
• Blurred vision

In a study conducted by Leucht S., the researchers concluded that Quetiapine is up to 16% more effective than others. The researchers also compared Seroquel vs. Abilify and found that the efficacy of both medications is approximately the same.

Is Seroquel Safe?

Like any other FDA approved prescription medication that uses quetiapine as a key ingredient, it has a risk of several side effects to appear. Seroquel abuse and addiction are the other concerns to be worried about.

Quetiapine Brand Names

Quetiapine is the generic name for Seroquel and other drugs that use this compound. Quetiapine is sold in the market under several brand names, including Quetiapine Fumarate, Seroquel ER and XR variants. Some of Quetiapine trade names and manufacturers that can be found in the U.S. are as follows:

• Quetiapine: Accord Healthcare, Cobalt Laboratories, Sanis Health, Sivem Pharma
• Act Quetiapine: TEVA Canada
• Nra-Quetiapine: Nora Pharma
• Quetiapine XR: Pro Doc Limitee, Sivem Pharma
• Seroquel: AstraZeneca Pharma, Physicians Total Care,  ContractPharmacy Services-PA, Cardinal Health, RemedyRepack, Bryant Ranch Prepack, Rebel Distributors, PD Rx Pharma, Lake Erie Medical & Surgical Supply, Start RX USA
• Seroquel XR: AstraZeneca Pharma, Avera McKennan Hospital, Physicians Total Care, TYA Pharma

Notice that in 2019, AstraZeneca sold its commercial rights to Seroquel drug, including its  Quetiapine XR variant, as one of several moves globally to divest the trade name as patent protection expires.

Seroquel Street Names

Recreational use of quetiapine has also raised demand on the streets for this drug and is widely sold illegally. On the streets this medication can be found under these names:

• Quell
• Squirrel
• Suzi-Q
• Snoozeberries
• B baby heroin

Seroquel Abuse

Available information on Seroquel abuse from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows that of the total 1.25 million cases entertained in Emergency Departments involving drug misuse or abuse, approximately 8% involved antipsychotic drugs. Of which, about half involved Quetiapine abuse.

Is Quetiapine Addictive?

Quetiapine affects the release of dopamine and serotonin, the reward systems of the brain. This can lead to psychological dependence and, subsequently, Seroquel abuse, and even worse, Seroquel addiction. This was validated by a study conducted by Hye Jin Cha.
What makes Seroquel addictive is the Seroquel high attributed to the sedation and hallucinations, which are side effects of taking this drug. Seroquel and alcohol are mixed when abusing this drug or, Seroquel medication is combined with another addictive substance like heroin – a concoction termed in the streets as “Q-ball”. Some people also abuse quetiapine fumarate ER by snorting pulverized tablets or performing Seroquel injection, which significantly increases the risk of Seroquel overdose.

Seroquel Abuse Signs

When Seroquel abuse is suspected, there are tell-tale signs that can help determine if there is reason to worry. These signs can be generally grouped into physical and behavioral categories. Some physical signs of Seroquel abuse are:

• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Constipation
• Rapid heartbeat
• Irritability
• Seroquel weight gain

Also, there are some behavioral signs of abuse to this substance:

• Simulating the symptoms of mood disorder to get quetiapine prescription
• Attempts to steal one’s Quetiapine
• Sensitivity to bright light or loud noise
• Looking for illegal purchase of the tablets on the streets

Quetiapine Risk Groups

Abuse and addiction to quetiapine are now well-documented. Based on a study by Sansone and Sansone, the following groups show a higher risk for abusing Quetiapine:

• Men serving time in jail
• Men undergoing psychiatric therapy
• Persons with a history of polysubstance abuse

Seroquel Addiction Treatment

Successfully overcoming this addiction requires three key steps:

Withdrawal And Detox

Detox from this antipsychotic should never be attempted without professional help. Seroquel withdrawal symptoms are known to be severe if not managed well.

Symptoms of withdrawal from the drug include:

• fatigue
• irritability
• hallucinations
• vomiting
• heart palpitations

The discomforts of experiencing withdrawal symptoms may also discourage a patient from continuing with treatment and therapy, which makes proper management all the more critical.

Treatment Program In Drug Rehab

The addiction treatment approach will be different for each patient. In general, treatment for this addiction typically includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. As necessary, some patients may also require medication-assisted therapy to overcome addiction to quetiapine.
At this stage, professional supervision is a must, most notably in managing other co-occurring illnesses or disorders.

Reintegration And Aftercare

A person suffering from quetiapine abuse should be eased back into society after completing a drug rehab program. Some may require longer than most to go back to daily life than others, but, in general, addiction is a life-long battle.

Use Quetiapine Safely

Always read the Seroquel package insert to learn all the essential information and precautions when using this drug. Strictly adhere to physician’s recommendations to avoid risks of developing tolerance or addiction, and minimize side effects. Remember that when drugs that contain Quetiapine are only used as prescribed, it can be expected to deliver intended benefits and outweigh the risks.

Hope Without Commitment

Find the best treatment options. Call our free and confidential helpline

Most private insurances accepted

Marketing fee may apply

(888)-459-5511