Get Informed: Seroquel
Active Ingredient(s)
Quetiapine
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It is believed to work through its effect on dopamine and serotonin, although its exact mechanism of action is unknown.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-21 6:39 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM
Other Names
- Seroquel
- Quetiapine
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has black box warnings related to increased mortality when used in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis, and relating to increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior when used in children and adolescents with depression.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 26 Sep 1997
- Est US Patients*
- 2,316,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Seroquel or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Seroquel Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Seroquel used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 15,400 patients that use Seroquel (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Bipolar Disorder | 54% | 
|
| Insomnia | 44% |
|
| Anxiety | 43% |
|
| Depression | 33% |
|
| Psychosis | 13% |
|
| Migraine/Headache | 2% | 
|
| Memory Problems/Dementia | 2% |
|
How well does Seroquel work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 15,400 users taking Seroquel (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 70%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Seroquel outweigh the bad things.
- 29%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Seroquel.
Common Side Effects of Seroquel
iGuard regularly polls our more than 15,400 users taking Seroquel (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
66% of patients experience side-effects on Seroquel
19% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Seroquel
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
Weight Gain
-
Fatigue
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Constipation
-
Tics/Twitches
-
Breast Tenderness
-
Tremor
-
Dryness
-
Headache
-
Increased Appetite
-
Vision Changes
-
Nasal/Sinus Congestion
-
Sweating
-
Insomnia
-
Memory/Speech Problems
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdo Pain/Cramps, Breathlessness, High Cholesterol, Muscle Pain/Cramps, Nausea/Vomiting, Palpitations, Restlessness
Global Patient Feedback for Seroquel (Quetiapine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
After taking 300mg Seroquel at bedtime for about 5 years, I was getting a bout of pounding heart about 1 hour after taking it, so we tried to discontinue it. I stopped sleeping. at all.
So we tried to wean. It has taken two years to beat it down to 200mg. Sometimes I sleep through the night but more often, I have delayed onset or early awakening. Beware Seroquel withdrawal! If you can at all!
57 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-15 07:24:08
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Seroquel XR for 6 months for Bipolar 1.I took lithium for 19 years with good effect but changed as I had secondary hyperparathyroidism due to lithium.At first,I hated the seroquel as I slept too much(10-17hours/day)My doctor cut the seroquel back from 600mg/day 4 hours before bed to 450mg. This works better.When I am awake,I am very focused,better memory,happier. With lithium, I wasn't depressed but very flat.Now I sleep 8-10 hours without an alarm clock,less with.
47 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-14 15:15:45
Question/Comment:
I have been taking seroquel for alittle over a year for bipolar and to help me sleep. And it also me gained alot of weighted and my doctors also gave me topamax to help me we the weight plus to help with my head aches, but i know that when i first started taking the seroquel all i wanted to do is sleep now i cant sleep at all.
30 year old female united states
30 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-13 08:55:45
Question/Comment:
I have been taking seroqual for around 1 and a half years and was affective when first taken at 200 mg then i had to increasae to 300mg after some time. After that i asked to reduce back down as i was over sleeping far too much.
I now suffer with alkot of sleep problems where i wake up after hour ar so of sleep in a scared nightmareish state also told that i sleep talk, sleep fight, and stop breathing for some time does anyone else have these symtoms?
32 year old Female – Source: iGuard United Kingdom
Posted: 2010-02-01 09:23:36
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Abnormal dreams are a side effect of Seroquel. Shortness of breath is a side effect as well. However, breathing issues should be reported to your physican. It may be time to discuss the risks and benefits of continuing Seroquel and your alternative treatment options with your physician.
Posted: 2010-02-07 22:29:41
Question/Comment:
I have been taking 800mg of this drug for over five years. In the year and a half I have lowered it to 600mg which my last psychiatrist said would be okay as long as I did not lower it any more then 600mg a day. I was prescribed it at the hospital during a stay at the psychiatry ward for 6 months. Since I have been on this drug, combined with parnate and 6 electroshock therapy I have vastly improved. it was prescribed for borderline personality disorder and psychosis. I am high functioning and supposedly in remission. this drug seems to do what it is supposed to though I hear for many it helps them sleep. I am not sure why, but ti does not put me to sleep and I suffer from insomnia and night-time restlessness. I have gained at least 100 lb since on this drug and am concerned with the effects of it but so far it seems to work well.
I also noticed that within an hour to two hours after taking the drug, I cannot sleep I get a sever bout of restless legs which eventually dissipates after about half an hour. Everyone is different but I would def. suggest that if this drug is considered for you that you ask for some alternative as seroquel can have severe if not lethal at times side effects if not taken and monitored properly. I have gained much weight and it is fairly expensive but I am alive and functioning normally. In fact at times i am thriving!!!!!!!!
If you are pregnant or wish to become pregnant I strongly suggest no to take this drug if at all possible s there could be major side effects and there does not seem to be enough sufficient data to support whether it is or it is not harmful to the mother or baby. It def. works well for me but I recommend you get all the facts and info on this drug. Side effects included are possibility of getting type 2 diabetes, cataracts later on and other issues. it is recommended that when on Seroquel it is monitored carefully and you get the tests mentioned below every 6 months. Good luck and be well...
Predisposed for hyperglycemia and diabetes so these the test below will help show signs of this
CBC Including Liver Function Tests
Fasting cholesterol and triglycerides
Fasting blood sugar and hemoglobulin A1C
Eyes checked for cataracts every six months for patients on sequel
37 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-12-04 19:17:03
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291
Patient Comments about
Seroquel