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Compare Seroquel vs. Clozaril

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

Key takeaways

Quetiapine (Seroquel) and clozapine (Clozaril) are both atypical antipsychotics, but they have some key differences. Quetiapine is used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression, while clozapine is mainly used for schizophrenia that hasn't responded to other treatments. It can also help with suicidal behavior in people who have schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Quetiapine is available in both immediate-release and extended-release forms, whereas clozapine comes in regular and dissolvable tablets. Clozapine requires regular blood tests due to the risk of dangerously low white blood cell counts. This increases the risk of severe infections, which is why clozapine must be prescribed under a special program called Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS). Both medications can cause weight gain, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol, but clozapine is more likely to cause these side effects. Clozapine also has a higher risk of causing severe constipation and liver problems. Its not a first-choice medication due to its many side effects and the need for close monitoring. Both medications are available as low-cost generics.

  • Quetiapine (Seroquel)
    Clozapine (Clozaril)
  • Quetiapine (Seroquel)
    Clozapine (Clozaril)

  • Summary of Seroquel vs. Clozaril

    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.

    Summary for Atypical antipsychotic
    Prescription only

    Clozapine (Clozaril) is used to treat schizophrenia. It's an atypical antipsychotic, but it's not a first-choice medication for schizophrenia because it can cause many bothersome side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness. It can also cause your white blood cell (WBC) count to drop dangerously low and raise your risk for serious infections. As a result, clozapine (Clozaril) is prescribed under a special program called Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS). In order to pick up your medication at the pharmacy, your provider will ask you to get blood work regularly (weekly to monthly) to make sure your WBC count is at a healthy level.

  • Indications of Seroquel vs. Clozaril

    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)
    Indications for
    •Schizophrenia that hasn't responded to other treatments
    •Suicidal behavior in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

  • Pros and Cons of Seroquel vs. Clozaril

    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
    Pros and Const for Atypical antipsychotic
    Pros
    •Works well to treat schizophrenia when other medications haven't worked well
    •Taken by mouth
    •Comes as both a regular tablet (that you swallow by mouth) and as a dissolvable tablet that you place on the tongue
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Need to get blood work done every time you get a prescription filled (weekly to monthly)
    •Can cause dizziness and drowsiness
    •Can cause high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and weight gain
    •Not a good option for people with a history of seizures

  • Common Side Effects of Seroquel vs. Clozaril

    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%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Increased salivation (Up to 48%)
    •Drowsiness (up to 46%)
    •Dizziness (up to 27%)
    •Fast heart rate (up to 25%)
    •Constipation (up to 25%)
    •Trouble sleeping (up to 20%)
    •Nausea/vomiting (17%)
    •High or low blood pressure (up to 13%)
    •Fever (up to 13%)
    •Headache (10%)
    •Heartburn (up to 14%)

  • Warnings of Seroquel vs. Clozaril

    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
    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of serious infection (from low white blood cells)
    •Low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, and fainting
    •Seizures
    •Heart problems
    •Higher risk of death in older people with dementia-related psychosis
    •High blood sugar, high cholesterol, and weight gain
    •Severe constipation
    •Serious allergic reactions or inflammation problems
    •Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)
    •Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
    •Driving impairment
    •Liver problems
    •Difficulty controlling body movements
    •Not for people with phenylketonuria (dissolvable tablets only)

  • Prices with our coupons for Seroquel vs. Clozaril

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