Summary
- Seroquel® (quetiapine) is an antipsychotic prescribed for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression, and it affects brain receptors linked to serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. It comes in both immediate- and extended-release forms with similar effects and risks.
- Mixing Seroquel® and alcohol can make alcohol’s effects more potent. It can also make the symptoms of conditions Seroquel® is meant to treat more severe, which can make the medication less effective.
- Some preliminary research suggests quetiapine may support recovery from alcohol dependence by improving response inhibition (impulse control), but more research is needed before it can be considered a treatment for AUD.
- To stay safe while taking Seroquel®, it’s best to avoid alcohol entirely. If that’s difficult, talk to your doctor or call a confidential support hotline to get connected with resources that can help.
Illicit substances aren’t the only drugs that can create risks when mixed with alcohol. Many prescription drugs also interact with alcohol in negative ways. If you have been prescribed Seroquel® (or the generic version, quetiapine), you may be wondering if having a drink is safe.
In this guide, our team will walk you through how Seroquel® works—and why mixing it with alcohol is unadvisable. We’ll also show you how reducing your alcohol consumption can make your medication more effective.
And remember: getting help with alcohol is just a phone call away. Call our 24-hour hotline from anywhere in the United States to be put in touch with programs and other resources that can support your recovery.
How Seroquel Works
Quetiapine, the generic version of Seroquel®, is a prescription atypical antipsychotic commonly used to manage serious mental health conditions. It helps treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (including manic and depressive episodes), and it is often prescribed as an add-on treatment for major depressive disorder.
This medication works by acting on specific receptors in your brain related to serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. This has the effect of stabilizing your thoughts.
Seroquel® comes in both immediate-release and extended-release forms. Seroquel XR (extended-release) version delivers the same medication more slowly over time, so its therapeutic effects and risks are essentially the same as the regular version—it just needs to be taken once daily instead of multiple times.
Although there are no known contraindications for this medication, it does affect the central nervous system (CNS). Since alcohol also impacts the CNS, it is recommended that you limit your alcohol intake if you are taking this medication.
How Can Alcohol & Seroquel® Interact?
Some of the side effects that Seroquel® has are similar to the effects of drinking too much alcohol—and alcohol can also worsen symptoms of some of the conditions that Seroquel® is used to treat. So when these two substances are in your system at the same time, it may make the effects of alcohol seem more pronounced or make your medication less effective.
Making Alcohol More Potent & Increasing Your Risk of Side Effects
Some of the side effects alcohol and Seroquel® have in common include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Difficulty moving
- Memory problems (rare with Seroquel® alone but still possible)
There have also been reported cases of patients who experienced respiratory problems after taking Seroquel®. Respiratory depression is also possible after severe alcohol poisoning, which can lead to coma and death.
In practical terms, this means if you drink while on Seroquel®, you’re likely to become more impaired than you would from ingesting either substance alone. Even a small amount of alcohol can add to the drowsiness from Seroquel®, and this can be dangerous.
Making Your Medication Less Effective
Some of the conditions Seroquel® treats also have symptoms resembling the effects of alcohol. For example, schizophrenia is characterized in part by disorganized speech and behavior, as well as cognitive impairment.
Mental and physical problems also occur with major depressive disorder—in fact, alcoholism and depression often go hand-in-hand. So when you drink alcohol, you can potentially increase the severity of these conditions and make them harder to treat. The NIAAA specifically highlights an increased risk of depression when combining Seroquel® with alcohol.
Can Seroquel® Help with Alcohol Recovery?
Although quetiapine isn’t currently approved to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD), some early research has explored how it might support recovery—especially by reducing impulsivity, which is a common risk factor for relapse.
A pilot study examined whether quetiapine could help alcohol-dependent individuals improve response inhibition, which is the ability to stop impulsive or automatic behaviors. This is an important skill for people trying to avoid drinking after detox. In the study:
- Participants with alcohol dependence were given either quetiapine or a placebo over six weeks.
- They performed a specific behavioral task designed to measure impulsivity.
- Those who received quetiapine performed significantly better on this task—suggesting improved self-control compared to the placebo group.
Researchers believe quetiapine may help reduce alcohol use by affecting brain pathways related to reward and inhibition—specifically those involving dopamine and norepinephrine. However, the findings are preliminary and the study had a small sample size.
If you’re thinking about using Seroquel® as part of your recovery plan, talk to a qualified healthcare provider. They can help you weigh the potential risks and benefits, especially if you’ve recently used alcohol or have other mental health concerns.
Find Support for Alcoholism & Take Seroquel® Responsibly
Seroquel is a powerful medication that can be helpful for conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. However, mixing it with alcohol should be avoided. Drinking while Seroquel® is in your system can make your medication’s job more difficult by increasing symptoms of the conditions it is meant to treat—and taking Seroquel® if you’ve been drinking can make you more intoxicated. Both of these situations can be dangerous.
If you are prescribed Seroquel®, the safest choice is to stay sober during your treatment. If you find abstaining from alcohol difficult, seek help—there are resources available. Your doctor may adjust your treatment plan if they know that alcohol is challenging for you, and you can always call our hotline at (855)-955-0771. We’ll be happy to connect you with a treatment program or other source of support to keep your recovery on track.