Seroquel (Quetiapine) for Alzheimer's

Overview
Seroquel is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of schizophrenia. Seroquel is also known by its drug name, Quetiapine. Seroquel is sometimes prescribed to treat sleep problems, hallucinations, agitation, aggression, lack of cooperativeness, delusions, and hostility in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Seroquel may be considered in cases where non-drug approaches have failed to address these symptoms. Since the FDA has not approved Seroquel specifically for this usage, it is considered “off-label.”

Seroquel is an antipsychotic, a drug that is used to manage psychiatric problems such as delusions and disordered thoughts. Seroquel is believed to work by blocking dopamine in certain pathways of the brain.

How do I take it?
Seroquel is taken once or twice a day.

Seroquel is available in tablet form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Seroquel lists common side effects including drowsiness, headache, memory problems, mood changes, stomach pain, vomiting, constipation, difficulty sitting still, missed menstrual periods, increased appetite, weight gain, dry mouth, sore throat, and trouble sleeping.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Seroquel can include increased risk of death in older adults with dementia.