Seroquel XR® Extended-Release Tablets for Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

This extended-release antipsychotic helps manage symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. You can review uses, safety, and practical tips to help you plan your therapy. We also explain access options with US shipping from Canada to support your ordering choices.

What Seroquel XR Is and How It Works

Border Free Health connects U.S. patients with licensed Canadian partner pharmacies; prescriptions are verified with prescribers before dispensing.

Seroquel XR® contains quetiapine fumarate in an extended-release tablet. It belongs to the atypical antipsychotic class. The tablet releases quetiapine gradually over the day. This helps maintain steadier levels and supports once-daily dosing. It works by modulating dopamine and serotonin receptors, which can help reduce hallucinations, stabilize mood, and improve sleep quality in approved conditions.

This medicine may be used for adults with schizophrenia. It is also approved for bipolar disorder, including acute mania and bipolar depression, and as an add-on to an antidepressant for major depressive disorder in adults. Decisions about therapy should follow the official label and your prescriber’s guidance.

Who It’s For

The treatment is intended for adults diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. It can also be used as adjunct therapy for major depressive disorder when a clinician determines that adding an antipsychotic may help. Quetiapine XR may not be appropriate for everyone. Older adults with dementia-related psychosis should not receive this class due to increased mortality risk. People with a history of severe low blood pressure, certain heart rhythm problems, uncontrolled seizures, or prior serious reactions to quetiapine should discuss risks carefully with a healthcare professional.

Patients with diabetes, high cholesterol, significant weight changes, liver issues, thyroid concerns, or low white blood cell counts may need closer monitoring. Avoid alcohol and grapefruit products, which can affect sedation or drug levels.

Dosage and Usage

These tablets are taken once daily, usually in the evening. Swallow whole with water. Do not split, chew, or crush. Take at the same time each day to support steady blood levels. The initial dose and any adjustments are individualized and typically increased gradually over several days, following the official label for your condition. Your prescriber will guide the schedule used for schizophrenia, bipolar mania, bipolar depression, or adjunctive use in depression.

Take with no food or with a light meal. If you miss doses for more than a few days, your prescriber may need to restart titration. Never change your dose on your own. Review the Medication Guide that comes with your medicine and ask your healthcare professional if you have questions about timing, meals, or other medicines you take.

Strengths and Forms

Extended-release tablets are commonly available in several color-coded strengths. Availability may vary by manufacturer or country.

• Typical tablet strengths include 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg.
• A common maintenance target can be up to higher daily totals depending on the diagnosis and response.
• One example many adults use is Seroquel XR 300 mg daily, when appropriate for the condition.

Exact strength and daily totals are determined by your prescriber.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless it is near the next dose. If it is close to your next scheduled time, skip the missed dose and resume your usual schedule. Do not take extra tablets to make up for a missed dose. Try setting reminders or using a pill organizer to help you stay on track.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets at room temperature in a dry place, away from moisture and direct light. Keep them in the original, child-resistant container with the label intact. Do not store in a bathroom. When traveling, carry your medication in hand luggage with a copy of your prescription. Keep it in the original bottle to ease security checks and preserve identification. If you cross time zones, aim to take your dose according to your home schedule, then adjust gradually with your prescriber’s advice as needed.

Dispose of unused tablets via take-back programs when possible. If local guidance permits household disposal, mix tablets with an undesirable substance in a sealed container before discarding. Do not flush unless the FDA or local authorities specifically instruct it.

Benefits

This medicine offers once-daily dosing that can simplify routines. The extended-release design may reduce peaks and troughs compared to some immediate-release regimens. Many patients find evening dosing helpful for sedation that can occur at the start of therapy. When used as directed, this treatment can help lessen hallucinations, stabilize mood, and support functioning at home, work, or school. Some patients may also consider Generic Seroquel XR options if suitable and available.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common: sleepiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, fatigue, and upset stomach.
• Metabolic: weight gain, changes in blood sugar, and shifts in lipid levels.
• Cardiovascular: orthostatic hypotension, fast heartbeat, and potential QT prolongation risk.
• Neurologic: tremor, restlessness, or extrapyramidal symptoms.
• Others: increased appetite, headache, and possible blurry vision.

Serious but less common risks include neuroleptic malignant syndrome, severe allergic reactions, seizures, significant drops in white blood cells, and tardive dyskinesia. Antidepressant-class warnings about suicidal thoughts and behaviors apply, especially in young adults when used for depression. Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis have an increased risk of death with antipsychotics. Seek urgent care for high fever, severe stiffness, confusion, fainting, rash with swelling, or uncontrolled movements.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, clarithromycin, or certain HIV medications can raise quetiapine levels. Potent CYP3A4 inducers like carbamazepine, phenytoin, or rifampin can reduce levels and effect. Use caution with other medicines that cause drowsiness, lower blood pressure, or prolong the QT interval. Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Tell your prescriber about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, and supplements, including St. John’s wort.

Periodic monitoring may include weight, fasting lipids and glucose, blood pressure, and eye exams. If you have diabetes or risk factors, you may need closer follow-up. Discuss driving or operating machinery until you know how the tablets affect you.

What to Expect Over Time

Some effects like drowsiness can appear early. Improvements in mood and thought patterns may build gradually. Stick with the prescribed schedule and keep follow-up appointments so your prescriber can check response and tolerability. If you stop suddenly, symptoms can return or withdrawal-like effects may occur. If changes are needed, they should be guided and gradual. Using a medication journal or app to track symptoms and side effects can help inform your visits.

Compare With Alternatives

Other atypical antipsychotics may be considered based on your diagnosis, prior response, and side-effect profile. For some, Aripiprazole offers a more activating profile. For others, olanzapine, available as Zyprexa, may be an option when sedation or appetite effects are acceptable. Choice depends on your medical history, coexisting conditions, and goals. Discuss the class options with your prescriber.

Pricing and Access

We provide Canadian pharmacy options with transparent pricing and Seroquel XR price comparisons you can review before you add to cart. Many patients look for ways to lower cash-pay costs when insurance coverage is limited. You can explore Canadian pricing with US shipping from Canada and consider multi-month fills to reduce per-fill fees. For current offers, see our Promotions. Checkout uses encrypted technology to protect your details.

To compare brand and generic availability, review product pages and verify your prescription status. If your prescriber writes “dispense as written,” substitution rules may differ by jurisdiction. Always follow your prescriber’s directions.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can vary by strength and manufacturer. If a specific tablet is unavailable, your prescriber may recommend a different strength combination or an alternative antipsychotic. In many cases a therapeutically equivalent generic may be appropriate. You can also discuss availability of a quetiapine XR generic option here: Quetiapine XR. If you have questions about stock status or timing, contact support so we can coordinate with your prescriber.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates are adults with an approved diagnosis who can take a once-daily regimen and attend regular follow-up. Those with uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, severe liver impairment, or a history of severe reactions to quetiapine may need alternatives. People with diabetes or weight concerns should plan monitoring from the start.

• Plan ahead: request refills before running low.
• Multi-month fills: ask your prescriber if a longer supply is suitable.
• Coordinate labs: bundle labs with clinic visits to reduce trips.
• Track effects: note benefits and side effects to inform adjustments.
• Avoid alcohol: it can worsen drowsiness and impair judgment.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• What goals should we set for symptom control and daily functioning?
• Which side effects should I watch for in the first few weeks?
• How will we monitor weight, glucose, and lipids over time?
• Could any of my current medicines interact with this treatment?
• What is our plan if sedation or restlessness becomes troublesome?
• When should I schedule follow-up to review response and labs?

Authoritative Sources

FDA DailyMed: Quetiapine Fumarate Extended-Release

Health Canada DPD: Seroquel XR

AstraZeneca: Seroquel XR Prescribing Information

Explore options today with prompt, express shipping and US shipping from Canada. This page is informational and does not replace your prescriber’s advice or the approved label.

Related topics and support: Learn about symptoms and treatments in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder categories, browse our wider Mental Health selection, and read condition-focused articles like Rexulti Uses and Effexor XR Guide.