Side effects explained

Learn more about some of the side effects Seroquel can cause.

Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Seroquel has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and adolescents. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

According to studies, antidepressant drugs may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people ages 24 years and younger.

Seroquel is not an antidepressant drug. But this risk applies to Seroquel because of its use for depression that happens with bipolar I disorder or bipolar II disorder.

Due to this risk, doctors will watch closely for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people who are prescribed Seroquel, regardless of age. Keep in mind that Seroquel is not approved for treating bipolar depression in children. And the drug is not approved for any uses in children younger than 10 years old.

What might help

Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the following:

Increased risk of death in certain older adults

Seroquel has a boxed warning about the increased risk of death in adults ages 65 years and above with dementia-related psychosis.

Antipsychotic drugs such as Seroquel can increase the risk of death in older adults with this condition. In studies, the most common causes of death in older adults were related to heart problems and infection.

What might help

Due to this serious risk, doctors usually will not prescribe Seroquel to older adults with dementia-related psychosis. If you or a loved one has dementia, talk with your doctor about which medications are not safe to take.

Tardive dyskinesia

Antipsychotic drugs such as Seroquel may cause tardive dyskinesia. This side effect may go away if Seroquel treatment is stopped, or it may continue. This condition causes uncontrollable movements, including:

smacking lips

blinking frequently

puffing out your cheeks

making noises

moving your mouth, tongue, or jaw

What might help

Tell your doctor right away if you notice any uncontrollable movements, such as those listed here. They may recommend that you stop Seroquel treatment. If so, they’ll suggest a different treatment for your condition.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Seroquel can cause an allergic reaction in some people, but this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Seroquel, they’ll decide whether you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Seroquel, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Seroquel treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect

how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose

what your symptoms were

how your symptoms affected your daily activities

what other medications you were taking

any other information you feel is important

Taking notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Seroquel affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.