Seroquel Overdose Symptoms, Risks, and Emergency Response

In 2020, nearly 92,000 people in the U.S. lost their lives to drug overdoses, marking the largest increase ever recorded in a single year in overdose death rates in the country since 1999.

Among the drugs that can be particularly dangerous if misused or taken in excessive amounts is Seroquel (quetiapine), an atypical antipsychotic commonly prescribed for treating schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and major depressive disorder.

An overdose of Seroquel can lead to severe complications, including central nervous system depression, sinus tachycardia, delirium and even death. Keep reading to learn about the symptoms, emergency response, and preventive measures to avoid taking too much Seroquel.

Table Of Contents:

• Seroquel Overview
• Can You Overdose On Seroquel?
• How Much Seroquel Is Too Much?
• What Happens When You Overdose On Seroquel?
• First Aid Seroquel OD Treatment at Home
• Professional Seroquel Overdose Treatment
• Can Seroquel Kill You?
• Prevention of Quetiapine OD
• Overdose of Seroquel – Final Thoughts
• People Also Ask

Seroquel Overview

Seroquel, generically known as quetiapine, is a second generation antipsychotic medication and mood stabilizer primarily used to manage several psychiatric conditions such as:

• Schizophrenia: Helps manage symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.
• Bipolar Disorder: It is used to treat both manic and depressive episodes, providing mood stabilization.
• Major Depressive Disorder: Adjunctive treatment when primary antidepressant therapy is insufficient.
• Borderline Personality Disorder: It assists in reducing mood swings, impulsivity, and aggression.

Approved for medical use in the U.S. in 1997, quetiapine works by affecting various neurotransmitter receptors in the brain, including serotonin and dopamine receptors, which are crucial for mood regulation. By modulating these receptors, quetiapine helps to balance the brain’s biochemistry, which can be disrupted in psychiatric disorders.

Its efficacy and safety have led to its inclusion on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, highlighting its importance in global health care.

Can You Overdose On Seroquel?

Yes, scientific evidence proves that it is possible to overdose on Seroquel.

A drug overdose (OD) occurs when an individual takes a dosage higher than what is medically recommended, leading to severe adverse effects. As with any medication, taking Seroquel in excess can overwhelm the body’s ability to process and eliminate the drug, resulting in Seroquel toxicity.

How Much Seroquel Is Too Much?

The Seroquel overdose amount varies from person to person. Factors such as the individual drug’s tolerance, the duration of drug use, and any concurrent substances being used can influence the amount needed to cause an overdose. A lethal dose of Seroquel for one person might not necessarily be the same for another.

Seroquel toxicity is associated with serum or plasma levels greater than 1500 ng/mL. In one case, a woman ingested 36 grams of quetiapine in a suicide attempt but survived and had a full recovery. Other cases resulted in Seroquel overdose deaths after ingestion of approximately 10.8 grams of quetiapine (18,300 ng/ml in plasma levels) combined with other drugs and 13.6 grams of the drug alone.

The maximum recommended Seroquel dosage should not exceed 800 mg per day. Patients usually start at the lowest possible dose, typically around 50 mg per day, divided into two 25 mg doses, and gradually increase as needed.

What Happens When You Overdose On Seroquel?

When a person is well-informed and can quickly recognize the symptoms of Seroquel overdose, treatment can be successfully initiated before life-threatening complications develop.

Initially, an overdose may seem like experiencing a Seroquel high. However, this is not the only overdose Seroquel side effects. Without proper treatment, an overdose of Seroquel can be fatal. Below, we have outlined the symptoms of Seroquel overdose:

Seroquel Overdose Symptoms

A quetiapine overdose can occur very quickly. At first, the patient might not realize what is happening, as some symptoms can be mistaken for simple exhaustion. It’s crucial to recognize the signs of an overdose to seek immediate medical attention.

Some of the quetiapine overdose symptoms include:

• Seizures
• Coma
• Transient hypothyroidism
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
• Hyperprolactinemia (higher-than-normal levels of the hormone prolactin in the blood)
• Severe sedation (loss of cognitive and motor control/central nervous system depression)
• Respiratory Depression (slow or labored breathing)
• Inability to regulate body temperature
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• QT prolongation/arrhythmias (sinus tachycardia)
• Dizziness or fainting
• Vomiting
• Death

If you suspect someone is experiencing a Seroquel overdose, seek emergency medical help immediately and follow the below steps for first aid. Time is critical, and swift action can prevent serious complications or death.

First Aid Seroquel OD Treatment at Home

While professional medical intervention is crucial, there are essential first aid steps you can take at home to stabilize the individual until emergency services arrive.

Step 1: Call Emergency Services (911 or Your Local Emergency Number)

• Dial 911 and inform the dispatcher that someone is unresponsive and not breathing.
• Give a specific address or description of your location.
• Provide details about the individual’s condition and any known amounts of Seroquel taken.
• Follow the dispatcher’s guidance, which may include starting CPR based on your level of training.

Step 2:  Stay Calm and Keep the Person Calm

• Reassure the individual and try to keep them as calm as possible to prevent further stress on their body.

Step 3: Keep Monitoring Breathing and Consciousness

• Check if the person is still breathing and conscious.
• If they are unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position
• Put them lying on their side with the top leg bent at the knee to prevent choking in case of vomiting.

Step 4:  Do Not Induce Vomiting

• Do not attempt to make the person vomit, as this can cause additional harm.

Step 5: Stay with the Person

• Do not leave the individual alone.
• Continue to monitor their condition and provide reassurance until emergency services arrive.

Step 6: Prepare for Arrival of Emergency Services

• Ensure that emergency responders can easily access the person.
• Unlock doors and provide clear directions if needed.

Professional Seroquel Overdose Treatment

Overdosing on Seroquel requires professional help to reduce the risk of potentially life-threatening complications. The amount of quetiapine taken is a crucial factor in determining the severity of the overdose. Although Seroquel is not a narcotic, it can be dangerous in large amounts.

While many Seroquel overdoses are mild, severe symptoms and fatalities can still occur, especially with excessive doses. Unlike fentanyl overdose, there is no known Seroquel antidote for overdose and immediate medical attention is essential. Treatment of Seroquel overdose involves supportive care such as:

• Gastric lavage
• Administration of activated charcoal and a laxative
• Ensuring airway patency
• Adequate ventilation and oxygenation
• Continuous cardiovascular monitoring, including electrocardiography

Can Seroquel Kill You?

Yes, Seroquel can be fatal if taken in excessive amounts or when combined with other substances. In 2016, the FDA issued a “black-box” warning regarding the potential risks of respiratory depression when combining opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system depressants, including antipsychotics.

Combining quetiapine with other medications or substances, especially those that depress the central nervous system, can significantly increase the Seroquel overdose risk. Other key factors influencing the risk of fatality include the amount of the drug ingested and the individual’s tolerance level.

Can You Overdose On Seroquel And Valium?

Considering that Valium (diazepam) is a benzodiazepine, there can be a high possibility of an overdose on a combination of both medications since they will exert additive sedative effects on the body. This significantly increases the risk of severe central nervous system depression, respiratory depression, and other life-threatening complications.

Prevention of Quetiapine OD

More often than not, quetiapine overdoses are mild, which makes it a preferred antipsychotic for patients at risk of medication-based suicidal attempts. However, it is essential to recognize that overdoses can still occur and lead to serious health complications. Make sure to:

• Always take quetiapine exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
• If you miss a dose, do not take an extra dose to compensate for it.
• Keep quetiapine in a secure location, out of reach of children and pets.
• Do not mix quetiapine with alcohol, recreational drugs, or other central nervous system depressants.
• Immediately report any unusual symptoms or side effects to your healthcare provider.
• Engage in regular therapy or counseling sessions to reduce the risk of medication misuse.

If you accidentally took double dose of Seroquel, you may be concerned, but stay calm and assess the situation. Monitor for symptoms such as drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, increased heart rate, and more severe symptoms like extreme drowsiness, confusion, difficulty breathing, rapid or irregular heartbeat, fainting, or seizures. Inform your doctor or call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 for advice.

Stay hydrated and rest while monitoring for any symptoms. To prevent future incidents, use reminders, a pill organizer, or a medication log to ensure you take your medication correctly.

Overdose of Seroquel – Final Thoughts

Seroquel is a valuable medication for treating various psychiatric conditions. Yet, despite its therapeutic benefits, taking too much can lead to serious Seroquel overdose side effects and even death.

While most cases of Seroquel overdose tend to be mild, it is essential to recognize the symptoms and seek medical attention promptly to prevent life-threatening consequences. Monitoring dosage, understanding the potential risks, and following prescribed guidelines are crucial steps in preventing overdose. If you or someone you know has accidentally taken an excessive dose, contact a healthcare professional or poison control center.

People Also Ask

Can you overdose on quetiapine?

Yes, overdosing on quetiapine is possible and can lead to serious health complications, including severe drowsiness, confusion, respiratory depression, and potentially death.

How much is too much Seroquel?

The maximum recommended dose is 800 mg per day. Exceeding this, especially significantly, can be dangerous and may lead to overdose symptoms.

What happens if you take too much Seroquel?

Taking too much Seroquel can cause extreme drowsiness, confusion, difficulty breathing, rapid or irregular heartbeat, fainting, and in severe cases, death. Immediate medical attention is required.

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