Common questions about quetiapine – Brand names: Atrolak, Biquelle, Seroquel, Sondate, Zaluron

Drinking alcohol every day or in large amounts can make your symptoms worse. It also makes it harder for quetiapine to work properly.

Side effects of quetiapine – Brand names: Atrolak, Biquelle, Seroquel, Sondate, Zaluron

Like all medicines, quetiapine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

These common side effects of quetiapine may happen in more than 1 in 10 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Feeling sleepy during the day

Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery. Try to avoid drinking alcohol as this will make you feel more tired.

As your body gets used to quetiapine this side effect should wear off. If it still makes you feel sleepy after a few weeks, speak to your doctor.

Problems with your movement

Speak to your doctor if you have any problems with your movement. This can include difficulty moving or stiff muscles that make your movements jerky. Sometimes you may feel like you “freeze up” and then restart moving. You may have other symptoms like a slow shuffling walk, tremors and drooling.

Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller.

Talk to your doctor if headaches last longer than a week or are severe.

Feeling dizzy

Stop what you’re doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery. Try to avoid drinking alcohol as this will make you feel worse.

If you feel dizzy when you stand up, try standing up slowly and hold onto something to steady your balance until the dizziness has passed. It should only last a few moments.

As your body gets used to quetiapine, this side effect should wear off. If you still feel dizzy after a few weeks, speak to your doctor.

Putting on weight or changes to your appetite

If quetiapine makes you feel more hungry than usual, try to eat a healthy, balanced diet without increasing your portion sizes. Do not snack on foods that contain a lot of calories, such as crisps, cakes, biscuits and sweets. If you feel hungry between meals, eat fruit and vegetables and low-calorie foods. Regular exercise will also help to keep your weight stable.

Constipation

Get more fibre into your diet, such as fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals, and drink plenty of water. Try to exercise more regularly, for example, by going for a daily walk or run. If this does not help, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Swollen breasts, pain in your breasts or leaking breast milk

Speak to your doctor if you get this side effect.

Irregular periods or stopped periods

Speak to your doctor if you get changes to your periods.

Fast heartbeat

Speak to your doctor if you get this side effect.

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are uncommon and may happen in up to 1 in 100 people.

Speak to your doctor or call 111 now if you get:

• twitching or jerking movements that you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other parts of your body
• infections, such as cold or flu symptoms, high temperature, or ear, eye, bladder or chest infections
• swelling, pain and redness in your leg – this may be a sign of blood clots

Immediate action required: Call 999 if:

• you have weakness on one side of your face or body, trouble speaking or thinking, loss of balance or blurred eyesight – these can be signs of a stroke

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:

• you have a painful erection that lasts more than 2 hours (priapism) – this may happen even when you are not having sex
• you have chest pain or difficulty breathing – these may be signs of a blood clot in your lungs
• you have a high temperature, muscle stiffness, sweating, anxiety or excess saliva – these may be signs of a disorder called neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Information:

Do not drive yourself to A&E.

The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to quetiapine.

Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• you’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• someone faints and cannot be woken up
• a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

You or the person who’s unwell may also have a rash that’s swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.

These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

Information:

Do not drive yourself to A&E.

The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.

Other side effects

These are not all the side effects of quetiapine. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

Information:

Reporting side effects

You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.

More in Quetiapine

Page last reviewed: 6 July 2022
Next review due: 6 July 2025

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Common questions about quetiapine – Brand names: Atrolak, Biquelle, Seroquel, Sondate, Zaluron

Quetiapine belongs to a group of medicines called antipsychotics.

It does not cure your condition, but it can help the symptoms.

Quetiapine works by affecting chemicals in the brain such as dopamine and serotonin.

If you have too much dopamine it can make you see things that are not there (hallucinations) or think things that are not true (delusions). Dopamine is also involved in muscle movements so too much of it can affect your muscles.

Serotonin is believed to be involved in regulating mood.

When will I feel better?

Quetiapine does not work straight away. It can take several days or even weeks for some symptoms to improve. It may take a few weeks to get to the right dose for you.

When you start taking it, give it time to start working properly.

Are there any long-term side effects?

Quetiapine is safe to take for a long time.

If you are bothered by side effects, then talk to your doctor.

How will it make me feel?

To begin with you may find that quetiapine makes you feel more alert and less slowed down. Many people do not have any side effects.

Over time, you may find that quetiapine makes you:

• feel calmer and less upset
• able to concentrate better and think more clearly
• able to get things done and stay focused
• more aware of what may and may not be real
• stop hearing voices
• remember things more easily
• stop having troubling thoughts or beliefs that are not accepted by others
• feel more comfortable with other people and get along better with them

Taking quetiapine will not change your personality and it is not addictive.

How does quetiapine compare with other antipsychotic medicines?

The antipsychotic medicine you’re prescribed will depend on your condition and how severe it is, any other conditions you have, and how well the medicine works for you.

Different people respond differently to antipsychotic medicine. You might have to try a few medicines before you find the medicine and dose that works for you.

Different antipsychotic medicines may have different side effects. When deciding on the best medicine for you, it’s important to discuss with your doctor the possible side effects and how they may affect you.

How does quetiapine compare with lithium for bipolar disorder?

Lithium is the main medicine used to treat bipolar disorder. It is a long-term treatment for episodes of mania and depression, and it’s usually prescribed for at least 6 months.

Lithium is a mood stabiliser, which means it helps to keep your mood stable and control your symptoms of mania and depression.

Quetiapine also helps symptoms of mania and depression.

Discuss with your doctor which treatment is best for you. This will depend on your symptoms, any other conditions you have and whether you might be sensitive to some of the side effects of the medicines.

Can quetiapine be used for anxiety?

There’s been some research into using quetiapine for anxiety, but it’s not approved for treating this condition.

Your doctor will recommend other medicines as the first choice for anxiety.

Will I gain or lose weight?

Quetiapine can make you feel more hungry than usual, so you may put on weight.

Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet without increasing your portion sizes. Do not snack on foods that contain a lot of calories, such as crisps, cakes, biscuits and sweets. If you feel hungry between meals, eat fruit and vegetables and low-calorie foods.

If you start to have problems with your weight while taking quetiapine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Can quetiapine cause sexual problems?

Most antipsychotic medicines like quetiapine can sometimes cause sexual problems, but some are more likely to cause these problems than others.

If you feel you have been having any sexual problems while taking quetiapine, talk to your doctor. They may suggest changing your medicine so that the sexual problems improve or stop.

Can quetiapine cause diabetes or make diabetes worse?

Quetiapine can increase the amount of sugar in your blood, and this can sometimes lead to diabetes. It’s an uncommon side effect of quetiapine and affects less than 1 in 100 people.

You will usually have a blood test before you start taking quetiapine to see how much sugar you have in your blood. You’ll usually have another test a few weeks after starting quetiapine to see if the results have changed. If your results are OK then you’ll have another test each year to monitor your blood sugar.

If you already have diabetes, you will be monitored more closely and will need to check your blood sugar more often.

If you get any symptoms such as feeling thirsty, needing to pee more often or an increased appetite, talk to your doctor.

Will it affect my contraception?

Quetiapine will not affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill or emergency contraception.

Can I drive or ride a bike?

Quetiapine can make you feel drowsy or sleepy. Some people cannot concentrate properly while they’re taking it.

When you first start taking quetiapine, it’s a good idea to stop driving and cycling for the first few days until you know how this medicine makes you feel.

It’s an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It’s your responsibility to decide if it’s safe to drive. If you’re in any doubt, do not drive.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure whether it’s safe for you to drive while taking quetiapine. GOV.UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving.

Can I drink alcohol while taking quetiapine?

If you drink alcohol while taking quetiapine it may make you feel sleepy and unsteady on your feet.

Drinking alcohol every day or in large amounts can make your symptoms worse. It also makes it harder for quetiapine to work properly.

It might be best to stop drinking alcohol for the first few days of treatment until you see how the medicine affects you.

Try to stick to the national guidelines of no more than 14 units a week. A standard glass of wine (175ml) is 2 units. A pint of lager or beer is usually 2 to 3 units of alcohol.

Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice because it can increase the side effects of quetiapine.

Apart from this, you can eat and drink normally while taking quetiapine.

However, quetiapine can make you feel hungrier and put on weight.

If you have an increased appetite, try to eat a healthy, balanced diet without increasing your portion sizes. Do not snack on foods that contain a lot of calories, such as crisps, cakes, biscuits and sweets. If you feel hungry between meals, eat fruit and vegetables and low-calorie foods.

More in Quetiapine

Page last reviewed: 6 July 2022
Next review due: 6 July 2025