Seroquel and Seroquel XR are both forms of the generic quetiapine drug used to treat serious psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia, which is described by the National Institutes of Health as a mental illness with characteristics such as unusual, disturbed thinking, a disinterest in life and a state in which emotions may be inappropriate or strong. Quetiapine also may be prescribed to treat bipolar disorder in depression sufferers.
Serious
Seroquel and Seroquel XR may cause some serious symptoms that require immediate attention from your physician. These may include breathing or swallowing difficulties; fainting; skin blisters; vision changes; a rash or hives; motion in the lips, arms, face, legs or tongue that are uncontrolled; bruising unusually; an erection that last hours and is painful; bleeding unusually; fever; confusion; weakness; pain or stiffness in the muscles; irregular or rapid heartbeat; and sweating.
Other serious effects from taking the medication include chills, dizziness, drowsiness, chest pain, drooling, a need for motion, loss of equilibrium, blinking, restlessness, glands that are swollen, speech that is slurred, changes in menstrual cycle, pain or crawling sensations in the legs, and wheezing or tingling in the feet or hands.
Non-Serious
As with most medications, quetiapine can cause symptoms that are temporary. These will tend to go away with continued use of the drug but should be reported to a doctor if they continue. These types of symptoms may include nasal congestion, lowered appetite, a runny nose, unusual vision, indigestion, sneezing, belching, lethargy, weight gain, headaches, hunger, sweating, raised muscle tone, dry mouth, a sore throat or constipation.
Hyperglycemia
Whether you are diabetic or not, you may experience hyperglycemia---an increase in the glucose sugar levels in the blood---while taking Seroquel. According to the National Institutes of Health, schizophrenics have a greater risk of developing diabetes even without taking quetiapine. With the drug, the risk is increased. Symptoms of hyperglycemia include blurry vision, extreme thirstiness, frequent or increased urination, dramatically increased hunger or body weakness. These should be reported to your doctor.
Overdose
Taking too much quetiapine also may cause some serious symptoms that require immediate emergency treatment. These may include weakness, seizures, numbness, nausea, lowered urine output, vomiting, thirst, cramps in the muscles, low blood pressure, pain in the muscles or mood changes.
