How Long Does It Take Seroquel to Work? Plus 4 More Tips for Taking It
Key takeaways:
Seroquel (quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic that’s often prescribed for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can start working within a couple weeks, but 2 to 3 months are typically needed to see its full effects.
Seroquel can make you feel drowsy, so consider taking it before bed. It doesn’t need to be taken with food, but doing so can help prevent an upset stomach.
Other common Seroquel side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, and weight gain. If you experience any bothersome side effects, talk to your healthcare provider.
Seroquel is available as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you save over 75% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
Seroquel (quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication. It’s FDA-approved for treating schizophrenia in adults and adolescents ages 13 years and older. It’s also approved to treat bipolar disorder in adults and children ages 10 years and older.
Seroquel is typically taken 1 to 3 times a day. It comes as both immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER or XR) tablets.
If you’ve been prescribed Seroquel, you may be wondering how long it takes to work and the best way to take it. Here, we’ll answer five common questions about Seroquel to help you get the most out of your prescription.
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1. How long does it take Seroquel to work?
It usually takes Seroquel about 2 to 3 months to provide its full benefits for schizophrenia. Certain symptoms may get better in the first 2 to 3 weeks. These include hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that others don’t), delusions (an altered sense of reality), and lack of motivation.
The timeframes are similar for bipolar disorder symptoms. Manic (periods of high energy) and mixed episodes (both manic and depressive symptoms) may improve about 3 weeks after starting Seroquel. Depressive episodes seem to improve in about 8 weeks (about 2 months).
2. What time should you take Seroquel?
Taking Seroquel at bedtime might be best if you’re only taking it once a day. One of its main side effects is drowsiness. This is especially true when first starting the medication or shortly after upping your dose.
Taking Seroquel at bedtime can help limit the amount of daytime drowsiness you feel. Your healthcare provider may also recommend bedtime dosing if your health condition is causing insomnia.
Some people take Seroquel IR multiple times a day. If this is the case, talk with your healthcare provider about possibly taking a smaller dose during the day and a larger dose at bedtime. Your provider may also suggest other dosage changes that they feel might be right for you.
3. Should you take Seroquel with food?
Seroquel IR can be taken with or without food. If your doses bother your stomach, taking it with food may help. Seroquel XR can be taken on an empty stomach or with a light meal (less than 300 calories). Taking Seroquel XR with large meals can cause your body to absorb too much medication, raising your risk of side effects.
4. What happens if you miss a dose of Seroquel?
If you miss a dose of Seroquel, take it as soon as you remember. But, if it’s close to the time you would take your next dose, then skip it. Just wait to take the next dose when you usually would. Don’t take two or more doses at the same time.
If you’re having trouble remembering your medications, your pharmacist is a great resource for tips and tricks. Medication reminder apps, setting alarms, and pills boxes can also be helpful.
5. What can you do if you experience side effects from Seroquel?
Side effects from Seroquel typically happen during the first few days or weeks while your body gets used to the medication. Many, like headaches and constipation, are often mild and can be managed at home.
Other common Seroquel side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, and weight gain. As mentioned above, Seroquel can make you drowsy. So, it’s best not to drive or do other activities requiring focus until you know how it affects you.
If Seroquel’s side effects become too bothersome or make it hard to do your day-to-day activities, talk with your healthcare provider. But don’t try to stop taking the medication on your own.
Tips on how to save money on your Seroquel prescription
There are many ways to save on Seroquel, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.
Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 75% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic Seroquel’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $8.98 with a free GoodRx discount. Generic Seroquel XR’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $13.65 with a free GoodRx discount.
Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for brand-name Seroquel XR’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $3 for brand-name Seroquel XR using a savings card from the manufacturer.
The bottom line
Seroquel may start working within 2 to 3 weeks of taking it. But typically, it takes 2 to 3 months to experience its full effects. Once-daily doses are best taken at bedtime to help limit daytime drowsiness. Seroquel IR can be taken with or without food. Seroquel XR can be taken on an empty stomach or with a light meal.
Seroquel side effects most often include dry mouth, dizziness, and weight gain. If side effects become bothersome, talk with your healthcare provider. But don’t stop taking it on your own.
Why trust our experts?
References
Buckley, P. F. (2004). Efficacy of quetiapine for the treatment of schizophrenia: A combined analysis of three placebo-controlled trials. Current Medical Research and Opinion.
MedlinePlus. (2020). Quetiapine.
Muneer, A. (2015). Pharmacotherapy of bipolar disorder with quetiapine: A recent literature review and an update. Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience.
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2016). Quetiapine (seroquel).
RemedyRepack Inc. (2022). Quetiapine [package insert].
Riedel, M., et al. (2007). Quetiapine in the treatment of schizophrenia and related disorders. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.
Suttajit, S., et al. (2014). Quetiapine for acute bipolar depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Drug Design, Development and Therapy.
Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc. (2022). Quetiapine [package insert].
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