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.
