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Compare Remeron vs. Seroquel

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Mirtazapine (Remeron) and quetiapine (Seroquel) are both prescription medications, but they are used for different conditions and belong to different drug classes. Mirtazapine is an atypical antidepressant, specifically a tetracyclic antidepressant, used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. It works by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. Quetiapine, on the other hand, is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in both adults and children, and it can also be used as an add-on treatment for depression in adults. Quetiapine affects dopamine and serotonin levels to help control mood, thoughts, and behaviors. Mirtazapine is typically taken once daily at bedtime, while quetiapine can be taken multiple times a day depending on the form and condition being treated. Both medications can cause sleepiness and weight gain, but quetiapine has additional risks like raising blood sugar and cholesterol levels and should not be used in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. Mirtazapine is available in both oral and dissolvable tablet forms, while quetiapine is available in immediate-release and extended-release tablets.

Mirtazapine (Remeron)
Quetiapine (Seroquel)
Mirtazapine (Remeron)
Quetiapine (Seroquel)
Summary of Remeron vs. Seroquel
Summary for Atypical antidepressant
Prescription only
Mirtazapine (Remeron) is an atypical antidepressant (or more specifically, tetracyclic antidepressant). It's used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. Mirtazapine (Remeron) is available as an oral tablet and orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) that's taken once daily, typically at night. Some common side effects of this medication include sleepiness and dry mouth. Mirtazapine (Remeron) can also raise your appetite and put you at risk for weight gain.
Summary for Atypical antipsychotic
Prescription only
Quetiapine (Seroquel) is an atypical antipsychotic that's used to improve mood, thoughts, and behaviors for people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The extended-release form of quetiapine (Seroquel) can also be used to treat depression when combined with another antidepressant. While quetiapine (Seroquel) works well, it has many risks and side effects, so it's not the best choice for everyone. Make sure your provider knows about all of your medical conditions and medications you're taking before starting quetiapine (Seroquel) to make sure it's as safe for you as possible.
Indications of Remeron vs. Seroquel
Indications for

•Major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults

Indications for

•Schizophrenia in adults and children age 13 years and older

•Bipolar disorder in adults and children age 10 years and older

•Add-on to antidepressants for depression (extended-release only)
Pros and Cons of Remeron vs. Seroquel
Pros and Const for Atypical antidepressant
Pros

•Taken by mouth once daily

•Available as a dissolvable tablet for those who can't swallow pills

•Less likely to cause sexual side effects compared SSRIs

•Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

•Can take up to 2 months before you feel the the full benefits

•More likely than other antidepressants to cause weight gain

•Can cause sleepiness

•Risk of withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking it

Pros and Const for Atypical antipsychotic
Pros

•Might notice an improvement in your symptoms in as early as a week of starting quetiapine (Seroquel)

•Taken by mouth

•Extended-release quetiapine (Seroquel) can help treat depression (adults only)

•Available as a lower-cost generic

•Available in both short-acting and long-acting forms

Cons

•Can cause weight gain and can raise your blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels

•Must be avoided in older adults who have dementia-related psychosis

•Can raise the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially in people who are age 24 or younger

•Need to take immediate-release tablets 2 to 3 times a day
Common Side Effects of Remeron vs. Seroquel
Common Side Effects for

•Sleepiness (54%)

•Dry mouth (25%)

•Feeling more hungry (17%)

•Constipation (13%)

•Weight gain (12%)

•Weakness (8%)

•Dizziness (7%)

Common Side Effects for
Immediate-release tablets

•Headache (21%)

•Agitation (20%)

•Sleepiness (18%)

•Dizziness (11%)

•Dry mouth (9%)

•Constipation (8%)

•Pain (7%)

Extended-release tablets

•Sleepiness (25-52%)

•Dry mouth (12-37%)

•Dizziness (10-13%)

•Constipation (6-10%)

•Difficulty controlling muscle movements (7-8%)

•Weight gain (7%)
Warnings of Remeron vs. Seroquel
Common Side Effects for

•Worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, and unusual behavior

•Higher risk of infection (from low white blood cell count)

•Serotonin syndrome

•Withdrawal

•Risk factors: Stopping mirtazapine (Remeron) suddenly

•Not for bipolar disorder

•Glaucoma

•Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)

•Severe allergic and skin reactions

•Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness

•Seizures

•Low blood sodium levels

•Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (PKU) - orally disintegrating tablets only

Common Side Effects for

•Higher risk of death in older people with dementia-related psychosis

•Worsening depression, suicidal thoughts and behavior

•Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

•Weight gain and high levels of blood sugar and cholesterol

•Difficulty controlling body movements

•Changes in blood pressure and higher risk of falls

•Risk of infection (from low white blood cell count)

•Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)

•Seizures

•Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone)

•High prolactin levels

•Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness
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Compare Remeron vs. Seroquel

Key takeaways

Summary of Remeron vs. Seroquel

Indications of Remeron vs. Seroquel

Pros and Cons of Remeron vs. Seroquel

Common Side Effects of Remeron vs. Seroquel

Warnings of Remeron vs. Seroquel

Prices with our coupons for Remeron vs. Seroquel

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