Seroquel Withdrawal: An Introduction
Seroquel® (
quetiapine fumarate) is a prescription medication approved to treat
schizophrenia or
bipolar disorder. As with most medications for mental illnesses, stopping Seroquel is not recommended without your healthcare provider's approval. Although the drug is not addicting and is not likely to be abused, the brain may need time to adjust to a decrease in levels.
Symptoms of Seroquel Withdrawal
Seroquel withdrawal symptoms can include, but are not limited to:
These withdrawal symptoms may not improve with time, as they may be symptoms of the underlying disorder (schizophrenia or
bipolar disorder).
Limiting Symptoms of Seroquel Withdrawal
Your healthcare provider may decide to wean you off the drug slowly to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms, although this may not be necessary in all situations. Even if you are switching to another bipolar disorder or schizophrenia medication, your healthcare provider may still recommend stopping Seroquel slowly. Do not stop taking the drug without discussing it with your healthcare provider. Also, let your healthcare provider know if you notice any bothersome symptoms after stopping it.