Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSeroquel (Quetiapine) as an Anxiety TreatmentSeroquel UsesHow It WorksDosageBefore TakingSide EffectsWarnings and Interactions

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Seroquel (Quetiapine) as an Anxiety Treatment

Seroquel Uses

How It Works

Dosage

Before Taking

Side Effects

Warnings and Interactions

Close

What is the most important information I should know about Seroquel (Quetiapine)?You should not take Seroquel if:you are allergic to quetiapine; oryou are an older adult with dementia; oryou are taking anti-arrhythmic drugs, methadone, or pentamidine.This medication can also increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in young people under age 25.

What is the most important information I should know about Seroquel (Quetiapine)?

You should not take Seroquel if:you are allergic to quetiapine; oryou are an older adult with dementia; oryou are taking anti-arrhythmic drugs, methadone, or pentamidine.This medication can also increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in young people under age 25.

You should not take Seroquel if:

This medication can also increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in young people under age 25.

Keep reading to learn more about how quetiapine is used as an off-label anxiety treatment, how it works, and what you should know before taking this medication.

Seroquel (Quetiapine) as an Anxiety Treatment

Off-Label Uses for QuetiapineOff-label use is legal and common. It simply means that a medication has not been FDA-approved for that specific indication.It is usually used as a second or third-line option when other FDA-approved treatments for anxiety have not been adequately effective.

Off-Label Uses for Quetiapine

Off-label use is legal and common. It simply means that a medication has not been FDA-approved for that specific indication.It is usually used as a second or third-line option when other FDA-approved treatments for anxiety have not been adequately effective.

Research Studies

Seroquel has been studied and is still being researched as a treatment option forgeneralized anxiety disorder (GAD),post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), andobsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Research shows that Seroquel can be particularly effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder. For example, in a large 2016 study, researchers studied the effectiveness of quetiapine as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder.

The study involved a total of 2,248 participants who either had generalized anxiety disorder or belonged to a control group. At the end of the study, researchers found that quetiapine is an effective treatment for generalized anxiety disorder in adults.

However, even though Seroquel might be effective for anxiety, people with anxiety disorders who use this medication might experience side effects that can range in severity from mild to severe.

When to Use Seroquel

Seroquel should be considered as an anxiety treatment only when other anxiety medications likeProzac (fluoxetine),Zoloft (sertraline), andCelexa (citalopram)have proven to be ineffective.

Using Seroquel or any other anxiety medication regularly and properly is important to ensure the proper treatment of your symptoms. If your doctor prescribes Seroquel for your anxiety, it is essential to continue using it for as long as your doctor states.

Talk to Your Doctor Before Stopping Your MedicationEven if your anxiety symptoms improve and you feel you no longer need the drug, don’t discontinue use without first consulting with your doctor. While Seroquel is not habit-forming, suddenly stopping your medication can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor may suggest gradually tapering your medication in order to minimize or avoid withdrawal.

Talk to Your Doctor Before Stopping Your Medication

Even if your anxiety symptoms improve and you feel you no longer need the drug, don’t discontinue use without first consulting with your doctor. While Seroquel is not habit-forming, suddenly stopping your medication can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor may suggest gradually tapering your medication in order to minimize or avoid withdrawal.

It’s essential to know that using Seroquel alongside anticonvulsant medication could potentially make them less effective in treating your symptoms.

Seroquel is also being studied and used off-label to treat conditions such as anxiety. While it is not yet FDA-approved for this use, your doctor may prescribe it to treat anxiety if you have not had an adequate response from other first-line anxiety treatments.

What Does Quetiapine Do?

Seroquel Dosage for Anxiety

If your doctor prescribes Seroquel for your anxiety, it’s essential that you strictly follow the dosage they recommend to avoid taking too little or too much.

Your doctor is most likely to examine your medical history, the severity of your condition and symptoms, and your tolerance for Seroquel before recommending a dosage.

The extended-release version of the medication is more commonly used for treatinganxiety disorders. The extended-release formulation steadily releases the medication into your body throughout the day. It is typically prescribed to be taken once a day, preferably at bedtime, and comes in 50mg, 150mg, 200mg, 300mg, and 400mg doses.

While you can take the immediate-release version with or without food, it is usually advised that you take the extended-release version without food, or with a very light meal.

Before Taking Quetiapine

People who have allergic reactions to quetiapine should not take Seroquel.If you notice any symptoms of itching, swelling, hives, or difficulty breathing when using Seroquel, you might be allergic to quetiapine and you should inform your doctor of your symptoms as soon as you can.

Pregnancy

However, if you become pregnant while already on Seroquel, do not discontinue use without first consulting with your doctor.

Seroquel Side Effects

While quetiapine might be an effective treatment for anxiety, there are somecommon side effectsthat you might experience while using it:

Some people might experience more severe symptoms such as:

Let your doctor know of any new or worsening side effects you experience while using this medication as soon as they occur.

Seroquel Warnings and Interactions

If you notice any symptoms of tremors, confusion, uncontrolled muscle movements, weakness, and high fevers while taking quetiapine, you should consult with your doctor immediately.

It’s essential to strictly follow your doctor’s prescription or the manufacturer’s recommendation when using Seroquel to treat any condition, not just anxiety.

Quetiapine May Cause Tardive DyskinesiaAn overdose or long-term use of the medication could cause irreversible movement disorders.Tardive dyskinesiais a disorder that can lead to involuntary movements such as grimacing, rapid blinking, and lip pursing.It is more common in older antipsychotic medications, but it can also occur with some atypical antipsychotics such as Seroquel.

Quetiapine May Cause Tardive Dyskinesia

An overdose or long-term use of the medication could cause irreversible movement disorders.Tardive dyskinesiais a disorder that can lead to involuntary movements such as grimacing, rapid blinking, and lip pursing.It is more common in older antipsychotic medications, but it can also occur with some atypical antipsychotics such as Seroquel.

The FDA also warns that usingantipsychotic drugslike Seroquel increase the risk of death in older people who have dementia-related psychosis.

Antipsychotic medication like Seroquel can also increase the risk of suicide andsuicidal thoughts.If you notice any changes in your mood or behavior, or in the mood and behavior of a loved one who’s on the medication speak to your doctor or call a suicide helpline.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

How Long Do Seroquel (Quetiapine) Withdrawal Symptoms Last?

9 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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