Seroquel can be a source of immense relief and improved quality of life for people who have certain mental health concerns. However, as with most other prescription medications, using Seroquel can expose a person to a range of problematic side effects, including addiction.
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What is Seroquel?
Seroquel is the brand name of a prescription medication whose primary active ingredient is quetiapine. Seroquel’s drug class is second generation, or atypical, antipsychotics.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized several Seroquel uses, including for the treatment of:
- Psychotic symptoms among people ages 13 and above who have schizophrenia
- Acute manic episodes among patients ages 10 and older who have bipolar I disorder
- Major depressive episodes that are related to bipolar I and bipolar II disorder (adults only)
- Long-term maintenance of bipolar I disorder (adults only)
- Major depressive disorder
A person’s Seroquel dosage can also be influenced by several individual factors, including their age, what type of disorder and symptoms they have, what other medications they are taking, and if they have any co-occurring medical conditions.
For Seroquel, a typical dosing schedule is to take one tablet by mouth, twice per day. Seroquel tablets come in the following sizes: 25mg, 50mg, 100mg, 200mg, 300mg, and 400mg.
Seroquel is also available in an extended-release version called Seroquel XR. Patients who use this version, which is available in 50mg, 150mg, 200mg, 300mg, and 400mg sizes, only need to take one tablet each day.
What Are the Side Effects of Seroquel?
Most prescription medications can cause side effects, and Seroquel is no exception.
More common, milder Seroquel side effects include:
- Headaches
- Lightheadedness
- Dry mouth
- Stomach ache
- Constipation
- Gaining weight
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Muscle weakness
- Vivid, disturbing nightmares
More severe side effects, which have led to what some describe as Seroquel horror stories, include:
- Abnormal heart rate and chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Impaired coordination
- Eye pain and vision problems
- Difficulty focusing, concentrating, and making decisions
- Elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia)
- Allergic reactions, which may include hives, intense itchiness, and swelling of the face, lips, and tongue
- Sudden drop in blood pressure when standing, which can cause fainting
- Tardive dyskinesia, which can involve involuntary facial tics and uncontrolled movements in the torso and limbs
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a potentially fatal reaction that can include high fever, muscle stiffness, confusion, excessive perspiration, and irregular heartbeat
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Patients should report these or any other Seroquel side effects to the physician who prescribed the medication. In the case of severe side effects, don’t hesitate to contact your physician immediately or summon an emergency first responder.
If you fear that you may be at imminent risk of suicide, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline online or by calling or texting 988 from anywhere in the United States. This is a free service that is staffed by trained professionals who can assess your needs and connect you with appropriate services in your area.
Can You Become Addicted to Seroquel?
In addition to causing side effects, the long-term use of many prescription medications can also lead to dependence, or addiction. Animal studies and case reports involving humans have both demonstrated that you can become addicted to Seroquel.
Someone who develops an addiction to Seroquel may not be able to end or moderate their use of this drug without professional help. However, when a person gets the right type of care, they can overcome their compulsions and stop using the drug for good.
Dangers of Abusing Seroquel
Whether a person has been using this drug on a prescription basis or misusing it for recreational purposes, Seroquel abuse can expose them to an array of dangers, including:
- Heart problems
- Increased risk of diabetes
- Impaired functioning of the endocrine system
- Metabolism changes
- Disrupted menstruation
- Breathing problems
- Rigid muscles
- Seizure
Drugs Not to Take Seroquel With
When taking a powerful medication such as Seroquel, it is important to ensure that you don’t use any substances that could interact with it in a harmful manner. This includes both other prescription medications and recreational substances.
For example, you should not combine Seroquel and alcohol. Alcohol can diminish Seroquel’s effectiveness, which could prompt a resurgence of symptoms. Alcohol can also intensify some of Seroquel’s disruptive side effects, such as drowsiness, unsteadiness, fatigue, and difficulty thinking clearly.
Other drugs to avoid while you’re taking Seroquel include:
- Some antipsychotics, such as Thorazine (chlorpromazine), Tegretol (carbamazepine), and Dilantin (phenytoin)
- Certain heart medications, including quinidine, Pacerone (amiodarone), and Pronestyl (procainamide)
- Various blood pressure meds, such as Toprol (metoprolol) and Zestril (lisinopril)
- Several antimicrobials, including Avelox (moxifloxacin) and Pentam (pentamide)
Please note that this is by no means a comprehensive list of all drugs that could interact negatively with Seroquel. Before you begin to take Seroquel, it is important to make your doctor aware of any other substances that you have been using. Failing to do this could put you in grave danger.
Seroquel Withdrawal Symptoms
After you have been taking Seroquel for an extended period, abruptly ending your use could trigger several withdrawal symptoms, such as:
- Headaches
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Racing heart rate (tachycardia)
- Heavy sweating
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Restlessness
- Mood swings
- Confusion
Before stopping your Seroquel use, you should consult with the physician that prescribed the medication to you. They can develop a plan for tapering your use, or slowly and steadily reducing your dosage over time, which can minimize your risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Treatment for Seroquel Addiction
Seroquel addiction is characterized by a loss of control over your use of this drug. If you have developed this condition, you may need professional help to overcome your compulsions and regain control of your behaviors.
Treatment for Seroquel addiction can occur in several programs, including:
- Drug detox
- Residential rehab
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Outpatient care
Within these programs, you may participate in several types of therapy, which can help you to:
- Identify your triggers, which are circumstances that could push you back into Seroquel abuse
- Enhance your stress-management and conflict-resolution skills
- Learn how to resist the pressures that could threaten your continued recovery
- Build an effective personal support network
- Start to repair relationships that were harmed by your struggles with Seroquel addiction
- Connect with the resources that will support your continued recovery after you have transitioned out of treatment
Of course, if you had been taking Seroquel for schizophrenia or another psychological condition, your treatment should also address your mental health needs.
Contact Phoenix Rising to Safely Treat Seroquel Addiction Today
Phoenix Rising Recovery offers a full continuum of customized services for adults who have become addicted to Seroquel and other prescription medications. We also offer dual diagnosis programming for patients who have co-occurring mental health concerns.
Our team of compassionate experts will work closely with you to understand how you have been affected by addiction. Then, we will develop a personalized plan to help you build a foundation for a healthier future in recovery.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
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