Seroquel and Alcohol (Quetiapine)

Seroquel is a commonly used antipsychotic agent that has multiple clinical applications in the management of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Normally, Seroquel is taken with water but some patients may sometimes prefer taking it with alcohol or do so in an attempt to abuse the drug. There appears to be a significant interaction between alcohol and Seroquel and in this article we shall briefly review their relationship.

The problem with alcohol

Individuals who have some form of psychiatric disorder are often advised by their health care professional to avoid consuming alcohol completely. This is because alcohol consumption in large amounts while useful to forget one’s problems can in fact lead to depression. Furthermore, alcohol consumption in high quantities has other negative side-effects on an individual’s health that can damage their mental faculties, liver and heart.

It appears that any interactions or problems that may arise from alcohol intake in patients who are also taking Seroquel occur when high quantities of alcohol consumed.

The interaction between Seroquel and alcohol

The primary problem that is associated with consuming both Seroquel and alcohol is the fact that the side-effect profile of Seroquel may be magnified. In short, patients who take alcohol with Seroquel find that they experience a greater degree of dizziness, tiredness and low blood pressure. In addition, the effects of alcohol on the body can be worsened when Seroquel is taken.

In addition to its effects on blood pressure and overall health, Seroquel and alcohol combination can affect an individual’s cognitive abilities. Furthermore, performing regular tasks that require motor skills can also be blunted by combining the two. Patients may get excessively drunk on small amounts of alcohol when on Seroquel.

Recommendation: It is strongly recommended by all healthcare professionals to patients taking Seroquel that they avoid consumption of alcohol completely. It must be borne in mind that alcohol is not just available as drinks but also in certain medication as well. The interaction between the amount of alcohol that is present in medication and Seroquel is usually negligible. However, consuming drinks such as whiskey, wine and beer in large quantities can have an impact on the way Seroquel is broken down and how it affects the patient. Due to this fact, it is recommended that alcohol be avoided totally.

Seroquel and alcohol are not a good combination though the negative effects may be seen when alcohol is consumed in large quantities. Healthcare professionals always recommend avoiding the two together and in the event that the patient wishes to drink alcohol, it is always best that they seek professional advice first.