Seroquel (quetiapine) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat certain types of mental health conditions. The drug comes as a tablet that you swallow. It’s usually taken once or twice per day.
Seroquel is used in adults and some children to treat:
The active ingredient in Seroquel is quetiapine. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
Seroquel belongs to a group of drugs called atypical antipsychotics.
This article describes the dosages of Seroquel, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about Seroquel, see this in-depth article.
Note: This article focuses on Seroquel. Seroquel XR, an extended-release form of the drug, is also available. (With extended release, the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.) If you’d like to learn more about this form, ask your doctor for more information.
Seroquel and Seroquel XR both contain the active ingredient quetiapine. Seroquel is an immediate-release drug. Seroquel XR is an extended-release form of the drug. (With extended release, the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.)
Doctors prescribe Seroquel XR to treat the same conditions as Seroquel. In addition, Seroquel XR can also be prescribed for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults.
Seroquel and Seroquel XR come as oral tablets in different strengths. Seroquel XR is typically taken only once per day, but Seroquel may be taken once or twice per day.
Details about the generic version of Seroquel XR can be read in this article.
This article covers dosage details of Seroquel. If you’re interested in learning more about Seroquel XR, or how Seroquel XR and Seroquel compare, talk with your doctor.
The table below highlights the basics of Seroquel’s dosage for adults. All doses are listed in milligrams (mg).
What is the form of Seroquel?
Seroquel comes as a tablet that you swallow.
What strengths does Seroquel come in?
Seroquel comes in several different strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg.
What are the usual dosages of Seroquel?
Your dosage of Seroquel depends on the condition you’re taking it for. Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage of Seroquel and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for schizophrenia
If you’re taking Seroquel to treat schizophrenia, your doctor will gradually increase your dosage over several days:
- Day 1: 25 mg taken twice (50 mg total)
- Day 2: two to three doses of 50–75 mg
- Day 3: two to three doses of 75–125 mg
- Day 4: two to three doses of 100–175 mg (300–400 mg total)
- Day 5+: dose increased by 25–50 mg twice per day as needed up to maximum daily dose of 750 mg
The recommended active phase dosage is 150–750 mg per day, with a maximum dosage of 750 mg per day.
If you continue on Seroquel as a maintenance therapy over the long-term for schizophrenia, the recommended dosage is 400–800 mg, with a maximum dosage of 800 mg per day.
Dosage for manic episodes in adults with bipolar 1 disorder
If you have bipolar 1 disorder and are experiencing a manic episode, your doctor may prescribe Seroquel to treat it. Seroquel may be prescribed alone or with other medications. Your doctor will start you with a low dose of Seroquel and slowly increase your dose over several days:
- Day 1: 50 mg taken twice
- Day 2: 100 mg taken twice
- Day 3: 150 mg taken twice
- Day 4: 200 mg taken twice
- Day 5: if needed, dose may be increased up to 300 mg taken twice
- Day 6: if needed, dose may be increased up to 400 mg taken twice
The recommended dosage is 400–800 mg per day, up to a maximum dosage of 800 mg per day. You’ll typically take the total dosage divided into two doses per day.
Dosage for depressive episodes in adults with bipolar 1 disorder or bipolar 2 disorder
If you have bipolar disorder and are experiencing a depressive episode, your doctor may prescribe Seroquel to treat it. The dose will be gradually increased over several days.
- Day 1: 50 mg taken at bedtime
- Day 2: 100 mg taken at bedtime
- Day 3: 200 mg taken at bedtime
- Day 4: 300 mg taken at bedtime
The maintenance and maximum dosage of Seroquel for this condition is 300 mg per day.
Dosage for bipolar 1 disorder, maintenance therapy
If you’ve been prescribed Seroquel to treat a manic or depressive episode, it’s possible that your doctor will continue you on the medication over the long term. When used as maintenance therapy for bipolar 1 disorder, Seroquel is prescribed with other medications.
The typical maintenance dosage of Seroquel for bipolar 1 disorder is 400–800 mg per day, divided into two doses. Your doctor may continue your prescription with the same dosage that helped your symptoms during the manic or depressive episode.
What are Seroquel’s dosages for children?
Seroquel may be prescribed to treat certain mental health conditions in older children.
It’s important to note that Seroquel has a
Dosage for schizophrenia in children ages 13–17 years
When prescribing Seroquel to treat schizophrenia, your child’s doctor will start them on a low dose and increase it slowly over several days.
- Day 1: 25 mg taken twice
- Day 2: 50 mg taken twice
- Day 3: 100 mg taken twice
- Day 4: 150 mg taken twice
- Day 5: 200 mg taken twice
- Day 6: if needed, dose may be increased up to 300 mg taken twice
- Day 7: if needed, dose may be increased up to 400 mg taken twice
Your child’s total daily dosage may range from 400–800 mg, divided into two doses. Their doctor will select the lowest dosage of Seroquel that manages their symptoms.
Dosage for manic episodes in children ages 10–17 years with bipolar 1 disorder
If your child has bipolar 1 disorder and is experiencing a manic episode, their doctor may prescribe Seroquel. Their doctor will prescribe a low dose at first and gradually increase the dose each day until your child’s symptoms respond to the medication.
- Day 1: 25 mg taken twice
- Day 2: 50 mg taken twice
- Day 3: 100 mg taken twice
- Day 4: 150 mg taken twice
- Day 5: 200 mg taken twice
- Day 6: if needed, dose may be increased up to 300 mg taken twice
Depending on how your child’s symptoms respond to treatment, the total daily dosage may range from 400–600 mg per day. The maximum daily dosage for this condition in children is 600 mg per day.
Is Seroquel used long term?
Seroquel may be used as a long-term treatment for maintenance therapy of schizophrenia and bipolar 1 disorder. It may be used as a short-term treatment for manic and depressive episodes.
If you have questions about how long you’ll take Seroquel, talk with your doctor.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may need to adjust your Seroquel dosage.
In some cases, your body may break down Seroquel slower than usual. This may happen if you:
- have liver disease
- are age 65 years or older
- take medications known to block a certain enzyme (protein) that breaks down Seroquel, such as:
If your body breaks down Seroquel more slowly, this increases the risk of Seroquel building up in your body. And this increases your risk of side effects. To prevent this, your doctor may start you on a lower dose of Seroquel, may increase your dose more slowly, and may lower your maintenance dose.
It’s also possible to take medications that speed up the enzyme that breaks down Seroquel. Taking these medications can decrease the amount of Seroquel in your body. This decreases how well Seroquel can work to treat your symptoms. Examples of these medications include:
If you take one of these medications, your doctor will likely increase your dosage of Seroquel.
If you have questions about your dosage of Seroquel, talk with your doctor.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Seroquel’s dosage.
Can Seroquel be used for sleep or anxiety? If so, what’s the dosage?
Seroquel is not approved as a treatment for insomnia (sleep problems) or generalized anxiety disorder. But your doctor may prescribe Seroquel off-label for these uses. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
Some
The drug’s manufacturer doesn’t provide dosage recommendations for unapproved uses. If you’d like to learn more about Seroquel for sleep or anxiety problems, talk with your doctor.
Do older adults require a lower dosage of Seroquel?
Yes, some older adults may need a lower dosage of Seroquel.
Your doctor may prescribe a lower starting dose and increase your dose more slowly when you first begin taking Seroquel if any of the following factors apply to you:
- you’re aged 65 years or older
- you’re weakened from other long-term health conditions
- you’ve had problems with low blood pressure
If you’ve ever been diagnosed with psychosis from dementia, your doctor will not prescribe Seroquel for you. Seroquel has a
If you have questions about whether your dosage of Seroquel should be adjusted, talk with your doctor.
The dosage of Seroquel you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the condition you’re using the drug to treat
- your age
- other conditions you have*
- other medications you take*
* See “Dosage adjustments” section above.
Seroquel comes as a tablet that you swallow. The tablet can be taken with or without food.
Try to take Seroquel on a regular schedule. If you’re taking it twice a day, try to take it around the same time each morning and evening. This helps to keep a steady drug level in your body and helps the drug to work better.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Seroquel, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Seroquel in an easy-open container. They may also have tips to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip your missed dose and take your next dose at its regularly scheduled time. You should not double the dose to make up for a missed dose. This could increase your risk of side effects. If you’re not sure if you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you haven’t taken Seroquel in over a week, tell your doctor. They may recommend taking Seroquel at a lower dose for a few days before restarting your maintenance dose again.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Seroquel on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Seroquel than your doctor prescribes. This can lead to harmful effects.
Effects of overdose
People who’ve taken too much Seroquel have experienced:
In extremely rare cases, an overdose of Seroquel has caused death.
What to do in case you take too much Seroquel
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Seroquel. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Medications that affect brain chemicals may lead to dependence. With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual. But it’s not clear if taking Seroquel causes dependence.
It’s possible that you may have withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking Seroquel. Some withdrawal symptoms that have been
If you and your doctor decide you should stop taking Seroquel, your doctor will likely recommend that you gradually lower your dose over time. This can reduce the risk of having withdrawal symptoms.
If you have concerns about dependence and withdrawal symptoms with Seroquel, talk with your doctor.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Seroquel for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Seroquel without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Seroquel exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do the dosages of Seroquel and Seroquel XR compare?
- Would I have a lower risk of side effects if I divided my dosage into three doses per day?
- Does my dosage of Seroquel depend on whether I’m taking it for a single episode or for maintenance therapy?
To learn more about Seroquel, see these articles:
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
