Key takeaways:
Seroquel (quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic. It treats mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Seroquel dosages depend on the condition being treated, as well as your age and other medical conditions. Generally, you’ll start with a low dose that’s slowly raised over several days.
Seroquel and Seroquel XR are both available as lower-cost generics. GoodRx can help you save over 90% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
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Seroquel (quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication. It’s FDA approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Your healthcare team can help determine the safest, best-working Seroquel dose for your needs. But it’s good to have an idea of what to expect. Here, we’ll cover recommended Seroquel dosages for adults and children.
What’s the typical Seroquel dosage for adults?
Seroquel comes as a tablet in two different forms: immediate release (IR) and extended release (ER or XR). The IR form of Seroquel is available in doses ranging from 25 mg to 400 mg. You’ll usually take it twice daily. The ER version, Seroquel XR, is available in doses ranging from 50 mg to 400 mg. You’ll typically take it once a day. You can take both forms of Seroquel with or without food.
The typical dosage of Seroquel or Seroquel XR for adults depends on why you’re taking it. Both versions are taken for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, while only Seroquel XR also treats depression (when taken alongside an antidepressant).
Schizophrenia
For adults, dosages for schizophrenia will vary based on which form of Seroquel you’re taking. When first starting, the recommended adult dosage of Seroquel is 150 mg to 750 mg per day. Once symptoms are managed, a maintenance dosage of 400 mg to 800 mg per day is recommended. For Seroquel XR, the recommended dosage is 400 mg to 800 mg per day for schizophrenia.
The chart below shows the recommended dosage schedule when starting Seroquel or Seroquel XR for schizophrenia. Your healthcare team will help you navigate your dosage schedule.
Dosage Schedule | Seroquel | Seroquel XR |
|---|---|---|
Day 1 | 25 mg by mouth twice daily | 300 mg once daily |
Days 2-4 | Add another 25-50 mg 2 or 3 times daily, on days 2 and 3; the goal is to be taking 300-400 mg total per day by day 4 | N/A |
Recommended dosage | Initial treatment: 150-750 mg total per day, divided into 2 or 3 doses Maintenance dosage: 400-800 mg per day | 400-800 mg once daily |
Raising the dose | You can raise the dose by 25-50 mg twice a day; you should wait at least 2 days before each dose increase | You can raise the dose by up to 300 mg daily as needed |
Maximum dosage | 750 mg per day | 800 mg per day |
Bipolar disorder: Manic episodes
The adult dosage of Seroquel and Seroquel XR for manic episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder is 400 mg to 800 mg per day. You may take Seroquel on its own or in combination with lithium (Lithobid) or divalproex (Depakote).
You can also take Seroquel XR for bipolar episodes with mixed symptoms (both mania and depression). The dosage is the same as for manic episodes.
The chart below shows the recommended dosage schedule when starting Seroquel or Seroquel XR for manic episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder. Your healthcare team will help you navigate your dosage schedule.
Dosage Schedule | Seroquel | Seroquel XR |
|---|---|---|
Day 1 | 100 mg divided into two doses* | 300 mg once daily |
Day 2 | 200 mg divided into two doses* | 600 mg once daily |
Day 3 | 300 mg divided into two doses* | 400-800 mg |
Day 4 | 400 mg divided into two doses* | N/A |
Recommended dosage | 400-800 mg total per day, in divided doses* | 400-800 mg once daily |
Raising the dose | You can raise the dose by up to 200 mg per day | No recommendation |
Maximum dosage | 800 mg per day | 800 mg per day |
*Seroquel doses do not need to be divided evenly. They can also be divided into three doses per day instead of two, if needed.
Bipolar disorder: Depressive episodes
The adult dosage of both Seroquel and Seroquel XR is 300 mg per day taken at bedtime for depressive episodes of bipolar disorder.
The chart below shows the recommended dosages for Seroquel and Seroquel XR when treating depressive episodes of bipolar 1 disorder. Your healthcare team will help you navigate your dosage schedule.
Dosage Schedule | Seroquel and Seroquel XR |
|---|---|
Day 1 | 50 mg once daily |
Day 2 | 100 mg once daily |
Day 3 | 200 mg once daily |
Day 4 | 300 mg once daily |
Recommended dosage | 300 mg per day |
Maximum dosage | 300 mg per day |
Major depressive disorder
You can take Seroquel XR along with an antidepressant as a treatment for depression. It’s not approved on its own for this condition. The recommended adult dosage is 150 mg to 300 mg at bedtime for major depressive disorder.
The chart below shows the recommended dosage schedule when starting Seroquel XR for depression. Your healthcare team will help you navigate your dosage schedule.
Dosage Schedule | Seroquel XR |
|---|---|
Day 1 | 50 mg once daily |
Day 2 | 50 mg once daily |
Day 3 | 150 mg once daily |
Recommended dosage | 150 mg-300 mg once daily |
Maximum dosage | 300 mg daily |
What’s the typical Seroquel dosage for children?
Seroquel is approved to treat teens and children living with schizophrenia and manic episodes of bipolar disorder. Teens ages 13 to 17 can take seroquel for schizophrenia. And children and teens ages 10 to 17 can take it for manic episodes of bipolar disorder. Seroquel, though, is not approved to treat anyone under 18 living with bipolar depression or major depressive disorder. For children under age 10, Seroquel is not recommended.
As with adults, the starting dose is low and increased gradually over the first several days of treatment.
Schizophrenia
The recommended Seroquel and Seroquel XR dosage for teens ages 13 to 17 living with schizophrenia is 400 mg to 800 mg per day. Teens living with schizophrenia are typically prescribed the same low starting Seroquel dose as adults.
The chart below shows the recommended dosage schedule for teens starting Seroquel or Seroquel XR for schizophrenia. Your teen’s healthcare team will help you both navigate this dosage schedule.
Dosage Schedule | Seroquel | Seroquel XR |
|---|---|---|
Day 1 | 25 mg twice daily | 50 mg once daily |
Day 2 | 100 mg divided into two doses* | 100 mg once daily |
Day 3 | 200 mg divided into two doses* | 200 mg once daily |
Day 4 | 300 mg divided into two doses* | 300 mg once daily |
Day 5 | 400 mg divided into two doses* | 400 mg once daily |
Dosage adjustments | You can increase the dose by up to 100 mg per day as needed | N/A |
Recommended dosage | 400-800 mg daily* | 400-800 mg daily |
Maximum dosage | 800 mg daily | 800 mg daily |
*Seroquel doses do not need to be divided evenly. They can also be divided into three doses per day instead of two, if needed.
Bipolar disorder: Manic episodes
The recommended Seroquel dosage for children ages 10 to 17 experiencing manic episodes of bipolar 1 disorder is 400 mg to 600 mg per day. For children and adolescents, Seroquel is typically prescribed by itself. Researchers have not studied Seroquel as an add-on to lithium or divalproex for this age group yet.
The chart below shows the recommended dosage schedule for children and teens starting Seroquel or Seroquel XR for manic episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder. Your child’s healthcare team will help you both navigate this dosage schedule.
Dosage Schedule | Seroquel | Seroquel XR |
|---|---|---|
Day 1 | 25 mg twice daily | 50 mg once daily |
Day 2 | 100 mg divided into two doses* | 100 mg once daily |
Day 3 | 200 mg divided into two doses* | 200 mg once daily |
Day 4 | 300 mg divided into two doses* | 300 mg once daily |
Day 5 | 400 mg divided into two doses* | 400 mg once daily |
Recommended dosage | 400-600 mg daily | 400-600 mg daily |
Maximum dosage | 600 mg daily | 600 mg daily |
*Seroquel doses do not need to be divided evenly. They can also be divided into three doses per day instead of two, if needed.
Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?
You may need a different Seroquel dosage than described above if you’re living with liver problems or are age 65 or older. Your healthcare team will help determine if this applies to you.
Dosage for people with liver problems
Seroquel is broken down by the liver. If you have liver problems, this could lead to elevated Seroquel levels in the body.
Both Seroquel and Seroquel XR have dosage adjustments if you have liver problems.
Seroquel
People with liver problems taking Seroquel should start with 25 mg total per day. You can then raise the dose by 25 mg to 50 mg per day, depending on how you respond.
Seroquel XR
People with liver problems taking Seroquel XR should start with a dose of 50 mg by mouth once daily. You can raise the dose by 50 mg per day, depending on how you respond.
Dosage for older adults
If you’re 65 or older, you may be more sensitive to Seroquel side effects, such as low blood pressure. It’s recommended that you start with 50 mg per day and increase your dose by another 50 mg each day until you reach your target dosage. This applies to both Seroquel and Seroquel XR.
Can you switch from immediate release to extended release Seroquel (or vice versa)?
Yes, you can switch from IR Seroquel to Seroquel XR (or vice versa). Generally, your total daily dose will stay the same. For example, if you’re taking Seroquel 200 mg twice daily, you would switch to Seroquel XR 400 mg once daily.
Your healthcare team should give you directions to follow if you’re making this switch.
What happens if you miss a dose of Seroquel?
If you miss a dose of Seroquel or Seroquel XR, take the dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s close to the time for your next dose, just skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at the regular time. Don’t take two doses at the same time.
If you miss more than one dose of Seroquel, contact your healthcare team. They can advise you on how to get back on track with your doses.
Can you stop taking Seroquel suddenly?
It's not a good idea to stop taking Seroquel suddenly. Stopping abruptly can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and may raise the risk of your original symptoms coming back.
If you and your healthcare team decide it's time to stop Seroquel, they'll likely have you taper your dose, lowering it gradually over time. This is safer than stopping all at once. It gives your body time to adjust and can help lower your risk of withdrawal symptoms.
There isn't one standard tapering schedule. Your healthcare team should personalize your taper based on factors such as your dose, how long you've been taking Seroquel, and the condition you’re taking it for.
What should you do if you take too much Seroquel?
Sometimes you might accidentally take an extra dose of Seroquel. One extra dose usually doesn’t cause serious problems. You might notice worse side effects, such as drowsiness or headaches.
But taking large amounts of Seroquel can have serious side effects. A Seroquel overdose can cause rapid heart beat and slowed breathing, and may require emergency care. If you or a loved one takes more Seroquel than prescribed, call 911 immediately. You can also call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
How to save on Seroquel
There are many ways to save on Seroquel and Seroquel XR, which are both available as brand-name and generic medications. GoodRx can help you navigate many ways to save on your prescription.
Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 95% off the average retail price of the generic version. With a free GoodRx coupon, the cost of quetiapine 200mg tablets at certain pharmacies may be as low as $12.60 for 60 tablets. The cost of quetiapine ER 400 mg tablets at certain pharmacies may be as low as $16.50 for a 30 tablets.
Save with Companion. You can access discounted prescription medications with a GoodRx Companion subscription. Over 200 medications are available for free, with hundreds more priced under $10. The program also includes benefits to help you cut your self-pay costs, such as lower prices for online care visits, discounts on dental care, and other health services.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may pay as little as $3 for brand-name Seroquel XR using a savings card from the manufacturer. This card also offers up to $185 off the cash price per 30-day supply of Seroquel XR for those without insurance coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Not necessarily. Seroquel 600 mg falls within the standard range for several conditions Seroquel treats. Whether 600 mg is “high” for you specifically depends on what condition you're treating, your age, and your other health conditions. For adults living with schizophrenia, the recommended dosage is 150 mg to 800 mg per day, and for bipolar mania, it's 400 mg to 800 mg per day. So 600 mg fits comfortably in those ranges. But 600 mg is higher than the usual Seroquel doses for bipolar depression or major depressive disorder, which typically top out at 300 mg per day.
Seroquel has a half-life — the amount of time it takes for half of the medication to leave your body — of about 6 to 7 hours in most adults. As a general rule, it takes about 5 half-lives for a medication to be mostly cleared from your body. This means it takes Seroquel roughly 30 to 35 hours (1.5 days) to leave your system. But factors such as liver function, age, and other medications you take may change this timeline.
You can generally crush IR Seroquel tablets if needed. They don't have a special coating designed for controlled release. Seroquel XR tablets, however, should not be crushed, cut, or chewed. They're designed to release the medication slowly over time, and damaging the tablet can cause too much medication to be released at once.
Not necessarily. Seroquel 600 mg falls within the standard range for several conditions Seroquel treats. Whether 600 mg is “high” for you specifically depends on what condition you're treating, your age, and your other health conditions. For adults living with schizophrenia, the recommended dosage is 150 mg to 800 mg per day, and for bipolar mania, it's 400 mg to 800 mg per day. So 600 mg fits comfortably in those ranges. But 600 mg is higher than the usual Seroquel doses for bipolar depression or major depressive disorder, which typically top out at 300 mg per day.
Seroquel has a half-life — the amount of time it takes for half of the medication to leave your body — of about 6 to 7 hours in most adults. As a general rule, it takes about 5 half-lives for a medication to be mostly cleared from your body. This means it takes Seroquel roughly 30 to 35 hours (1.5 days) to leave your system. But factors such as liver function, age, and other medications you take may change this timeline.
You can generally crush IR Seroquel tablets if needed. They don't have a special coating designed for controlled release. Seroquel XR tablets, however, should not be crushed, cut, or chewed. They're designed to release the medication slowly over time, and damaging the tablet can cause too much medication to be released at once.
The bottom line
Seroquel (quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication. Immediate-release Seroquel is usually taken twice a day. Extended-release Seroquel (Seroquel XR) is usually taken once daily. Your recommended Seroquel dosage depends on what condition is being treated, your age, and your other medical conditions.
Seroquel dosages are usually started low and gradually increased until your symptoms are managed. For adults and children living with schizophrenia, the recommended maintenance dosage is 400 mg to 800 mg per day. The typical Seroquel dosage for manic episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder in adults is 400 mg to 800 mg per day, while in children it is 400 mg to 600 mg per day. For adults living with major depressive disorder, the recommended dosage is 150 mg to 300 mg at bedtime, and the recommended dosage for bipolar depression is 300 mg at bedtime. Your healthcare team will help determine the best Seroquel dosage for you.
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References
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Dobravc Verbič, M., et al. (2024). Acute quetiapine intoxication: Relationship between ingested dose, serum concentration and clinical presentation—structured literature review and analysis. Journal of Xenobiotics.
Lupin Pharmaceuticals. (2026). Quetiapine tablet, film coated, extended release [package insert]. DailyMed.
MedlinePlus. (2025). Quetiapine. National Library of Medicine.
Monahan, K., et al. (2020). Quetiapine withdrawal: A systematic review. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry.
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