How Long Does Seroquel Stay In Your System?

What Is Seroquel?

Quetiapine, sold under the brand name Seroquel among others, is an atypical antipsychotic medication used for mental disorders treatment such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. A rare consequence of suddenly stopping this drug is Seroquel withdrawal dyskinesia which is characterized by abnormal, involuntary movement of the upper body or facial muscles. How long does Seroquel stay in your system and what are the Seroquel side effects?

If you stop taking Seroquel abruptly, it is important to know that there have been rare reports of mild or severe withdrawal symptoms. Some of these symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, or restlessness. In rare cases, people have experienced abnormal movements known as Seroquel withdrawal dyskinesia. [1]

Withdrawal is a term used to describe a collection of symptoms that occur as a result of a substance abruptly leaving your body. The symptoms are unique to the substance but may be similar to the withdrawal symptoms of other substances in the same class.

Seroquel Half-Life

How long does Seroquel stay in your system? The half-life of Seroquel is about six hours. This means that in six hours, half of the dose is gone. In another six hours, half of the remaining dose is gone, so your serum level is about down to a quarter of the original dose. In 24 hours, you are down to about 6mg, which is probably negligible, and in 30 hours or so it will have cleared your system.

How Long Does Seroquel Stay In Your System After Stopping?

An entire dose of Seroquel is eliminated in about 30 hours. But the withdrawal from the drug takes a different timeline. How long does Seroquel stay in your system and its withdrawal?

How Long Does Seroquel Withdrawal Last?

Seroquel withdrawal timeline can be divided into three main categories based on when the phases are likely to appear following abrupt interruption of use. [3]

Phases of Seroquel Withdrawal

1. New withdrawal
2. Rebound withdrawal
3. Persistent post withdrawal disorder

New Seroquel Withdrawal Symptoms

How long does Seroquel stay in your system and its withdrawal phases? New withdrawal symptoms typically set in approximately one to four days after a person’s last usage of Seroquel or other psychotropic medications. These symptoms can include nausea, abdominal pain, sleep disturbances, and other symptoms mentioned above. The intensity of the symptoms depends on the individual, the length of time the drug was used, and the dosage. These symptoms are short-lasting and reversible. Typically the person is mostly recovered within a week. However, some symptoms may persist, perhaps with less intensity, for up to six weeks. 

Rebound Withdrawal

Rebound Seroquel withdrawal symptoms can also occur within the one to four-day period. However, these symptoms may not actually be “withdrawal,” but a rebound or re-emergence of the underlying symptoms the medication was treating. Sometimes, the rebound symptoms are more severe than the original symptoms present.

How Seroquel Affects Your Body?

Summary Of FDA Black Box Warnings

Increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis

• Both first generation (typical) and second generation (atypical) antipsychotics are associated with an increased risk of mortality in elderly patients when used for dementia related psychosis.
• Although there were multiple causes of death in studies, most deaths appeared to be due to cardiovascular causes (e.g. sudden cardiac death) or infection (e.g. pneumonia).
• Antipsychotics are not indicated for the treatment of dementia-related psychosis.

Suicidal thoughts or actions in children and adults

• Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide.
• Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), both adult and pediatric, may experience worsening of their depression and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and behavior (suicidality) or unusual changes in behavior, whether or not they are taking medications. This risk may persist until significant remission occurs.
• Patients, their families, and caregivers should be alert to the emergence of anxiety, restlessness, irritability, aggressiveness and insomnia. If these symptoms emerge, they should be reported to the patient’s prescriber or healthcare professional.
• All patients being treated with this medication for depression should watch for and notify their healthcare provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment.

Seroquel Side Effects

Seroquel may also cause cataracts. You will need to have eye exams to check for cataracts at the beginning of your treatment and every six months during your treatment. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking Quetiapine or Seroquel.

Tips To Clear Seroquel From Your System

Withdrawal is a biological response that results from stopping the use of a substance to which your body has become accustomed. The term withdrawal is often stigmatized because of its association with drug addiction. Seroquel withdrawal implies that your body has become physiologically dependent on something, but does not automatically imply the disease of addiction. Just because you are able to suffer from withdrawal from a substance does not automatically mean that it is addictive. It should be noted, however, that there are reported cases where Seroquel does have the potential to be misused. [4]

Prescription drug addiction is a complex issue that requires long-term treatment –it is not a quick fix. The first step in overcoming prescription drug addiction is to seek help from your medical provider or a trained professional.

Once detox is complete, a new doorway in treatment opens up, which is referred to as a residential level of care. Our residential care program slowly and effectively introduces the individual into an atmosphere of therapeutic growth, marked by Master’s level therapists, clinicians, group counselors, psychiatrists, and a community of like-minded individuals with the same aim: to attain sobriety and live a great life.

Make this your opportunity to reclaim your life. Call today to speak with one of our treatment specialists for any questions such as “how long does Seroquel stay in your system?”.