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:
- 2009-Nov-20 9:19 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:52 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*
- 2,378,000
- 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.org is currently tracking more than 13,900 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 | 52% | 
|
| Insomnia | 48% |
|
| Anxiety | 33% | 
|
| Depression | 25% |
|
| Psychosis | 12% |
|
| Other | 2% |
|
How well does Seroquel work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 13,900 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.
- 33%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Seroquel.
Common Side Effects of Seroquel
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 13,900 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
21% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Seroquel
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
Weight Gain
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Increased Appetite
-
Dryness
-
Fatigue
-
Sleep Problems
-
Restlessness
-
Dizziness
-
Dry Mouth
-
Constipation
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Anxiety, Chest Pain/Tightness, Depression, Elevated Glucose, Itch/Rash, Mental Haziness, Mood/Behavior Changes, Muscle Pain/Stiffness, Sore Mouth/Throat, Tremor, Vivid Dreams
Global Patient Feedback for Seroquel (Quetiapine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
My father took Seroquel when he was placed in a nursing home. He was so sedated that he stopped walking and could barely lift himself. It has taken nearly a year, but he has been off all prescriptions for several weeks and is greatly improved.
85 year old Male
Posted: 2009-10-20 21:03:01
Question/Comment:
I take .25 mg of seroquel at night to help with sleep and severe rage. I also now take Medical MJ instead of xanax. Help me tremendously.Especially for anxiety issue.
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-21 16:46:31
Question/Comment:
I was on Seroquel 400mg for a while and started having severe rapid heartbeat and nearly would pass out so now I am tapered down to 50 mg and have absolutely NO SIDE AFFECTS at all. I am Bi Polar and it helps me tremendously. I am more manic than depressive and if it were up to my doctors I would be taking 12 medications, which has happened to me. At one time they had me on the following, Abilify, Geodone, Seroquel, Zyprexa, Zoloft, Opimrimine, Trazadone, paxil, Visteril, and a few others that I can't recall the names. Here is the thing if you say too much to a pysch Doctor they will pump you full of these medications. I left from that hospitalization and now take only the Seroquel and that is all I have ever needed. Do not let people force you or anyone in your family to take the Medications if they make you have severe and dangerous side affects. The problem is your fiance could fall and really hurt himself it sounds like he is way too much of the seroquel. It is potent medication and has a lot of potentially dangerous side affects that need close close monitoring. Please seek the physicain and let them know how bad it is and he will likely reduce the dose so that he is safer. I want people out there to know too that those of you out there taking Seroquel with Narcotics such as Vicodin be very very very careful. There is a good chance when the two are combined it can cause heart arrithmias. It can cause the combination for your heart to start racing very quickly. I had to get off of percocet and vicodin because it nearly killed me. Please be aware of the interactions with seroquel and other medicines. It is not like other traditional medicines. Take care!
37 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-08 17:17:50
Question/Comment:
I am a 55 year old Veteran (VNam) and have PTSD. I have been using Quetiapine Fumarate 25 mg, my doctor would like me to take 1-2 tabs at night to help me sleep - Night Terror Free - but in 2 years I can only take 1/4 of a tab (try cutting those tiny little tabs) otherwise - on 1/2 tab - I do not wake for over 12 hours. Sucks. But on 1/4 tab it puts me to sleep but doesn't stop the terrors or keep me asleep. The only reason I keep taking them is that without them I can't get to sleep till 3 or 4 and I am up by 6 or so. When I do take 1/4 tab I go to sleep within 30-45 mins and still wake at 6 or 7, still have disruptive terrors.
56 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-02 09:12:54
Question/Comment:
I've benn on 200 mg xr Seroquel for about 8 months, and it doesn't help me sleep. I was on Zeprexa a long time ago which did help me sleep.
55 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-26 12:44:07
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103
Patient Comments about
Seroquel