Seroquel and Alcohol, Risks, Warning Signs and What to Know
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Seroquel (quetiapine) is known for making people sleepy, which is exactly why mixing it with alcohol deserves a careful look. This article is part of our guides to mixing alcohol and medication. We cover what happens when Seroquel and alcohol meet, the signs that something is wrong, and how to talk with your prescriber about it.
Key takeaways
Seroquel and alcohol both slow the brain and body down, and together the effects can add up. Here is a quick summary.
| Question | Quick answer |
|---|---|
| Does alcohol interact with Seroquel? | Yes. The NIAAA lists Seroquel among medicines that interact with alcohol, with impaired motor control, drowsiness and dizziness. |
| What is the main risk? | Deeper sedation, dizziness when you stand, falls and impaired judgment. |
| Can I drive after mixing them? | No. The FDA label warns Seroquel can impair judgment and motor skills on its own. |
| When is it an emergency? | Unresponsiveness, slow or stopped breathing, collapse or a seizure. Call 911. |
| Who decides what is safe for me? | Your prescriber, based on your dose, health and other medicines. |
What is Seroquel and why is it prescribed?
Seroquel is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, including bipolar depression. One of its most noticeable effects is sleepiness.
The FDA prescribing information lists sleepiness as one of the most commonly reported side effects, especially in the first several days while the dose is being adjusted. In bipolar depression trials, it was reported far more often than with placebo. If you take Seroquel for mood, bipolar disorder treatment that also addresses drinking can help keep your plan on track.
What happens when Seroquel and alcohol mix?
The effects of each tend to stack, leading to heavier sleepiness, more dizziness, a higher risk of falls and poorer judgment. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism lists impaired motor control for Seroquel, along with drowsiness, dizziness and increased overdose risk for its medication group.
Deeper sedation
On its own, Seroquel can make you very sleepy. Alcohol is a depressant too. Combined, the sleepiness can be heavier and last longer than you expect, making it hard to wake up, hard to stay alert the next morning, or easy to fall asleep somewhere unsafe.
Dizziness and low blood pressure when you stand
The FDA label explains that Seroquel can cause blood pressure to drop when you stand up, which can bring dizziness, a fast heartbeat and sometimes fainting. This is most likely when you first start the medicine or when your dose goes up. Getting up slowly and sitting on the edge of the bed for a moment before standing can help.
Alcohol can leave you dizzy and unsteady as well, and the NIAAA notes that mixing alcohol with medicines can cause fainting and loss of coordination. The FDA label adds that sleepiness, drops in blood pressure and unsteadiness from medicines like Seroquel can lead to falls and injuries such as fractures. A trip to the bathroom at night after drinking becomes a real fall risk.
Impaired judgment and coordination
The FDA label states that Seroquel can impair judgment, thinking and motor skills, and it advises not driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how it affects you. Alcohol impairs the same abilities. With both on board, you may feel more capable than you are, which raises the danger of driving, cooking, swimming or making choices you would not normally make.
Effects on mood
For people taking Seroquel for bipolar disorder or depression, alcohol can work against treatment. The NIAAA lists increased feelings of depression or hopelessness among the reactions for the medication group that includes Seroquel. If low mood is part of the picture, depression treatment can offer support alongside your medication.
| Sign | Mild, call your prescriber | Emergency, call 911 |
|---|---|---|
| Sleepiness | Heavier than usual or hard to shake the next day | Cannot be woken or is unresponsive |
| Dizziness | Lightheaded when standing | Fainting or collapse |
| Breathing | Normal | Slow, shallow or stopped, or blue or gray lips |
| Heart | Occasional fast heartbeat on standing | Racing heartbeat with fainting |
| Thinking | Foggy or slowed | Confused and unable to respond |
What are the warning signs?
Heavy sleepiness, dizziness on standing, fainting, a fast heartbeat and clumsiness are all reasons to call your prescriber. Breathing problems or unresponsiveness are an emergency.
Call your prescriber promptly if you notice
- Sleepiness that is heavier than usual or hard to shake the next day
- Dizziness or lightheadedness when you stand up
- Fainting or nearly fainting
- A fast or pounding heartbeat
- Clumsiness, unsteady walking or falls
- New or worsening depression, hopelessness, agitation or restlessness
When should you call 911?
Call 911 right away if someone is unresponsive, cannot be woken, is struggling to breathe, or has a seizure. Do not wait to see whether it passes.
- Cannot be woken up or is unresponsive
- Has slow, shallow or stopped breathing, or blue or gray lips
- Has collapsed or had a seizure
- Has a racing heartbeat with fainting
If the person is awake and stable but you think they took too much medication or mixed it with a lot of alcohol, call Poison Help at (800) 222-1222. The line is free, confidential and open day and night.
If drinking is deepening feelings of depression or hopelessness, or you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out now. You can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at any time.
Please do not leave someone who has mixed Seroquel and alcohol to sleep it off alone if you are worried about their breathing or how hard they are to wake. Stay with them and get help.
If drinking on Seroquel has become part of your routine, you can talk with our admissions team at (424) 302-2598 or send us a message. There is no pressure, and a conversation is not a commitment.
What should you ask your prescriber?
Ask whether any alcohol is safe for you, how to lower your fall risk, and when it is safe to drive. Your prescriber can look at your full picture.
- Is any amount of alcohol safe for me while I take Seroquel?
- How can I lower my risk of dizziness and falls, especially at night?
- Is it safe for me to drive, and when?
- Do any of my other medicines add to sleepiness?
- How might drinking affect my mood and my treatment?
- What should I do if I drank and then took my evening dose?
Why do people end up mixing the two?
Many people who take Seroquel struggle with sleep, anxiety or shifting moods, and alcohol can seem like a quick way to wind down. That makes sense, and it is nothing to be ashamed of.
Some people drink before bed out of habit, to quiet their thoughts, or because evenings feel long and lonely. Others simply do not realize how strongly the two combine. If drinking has become hard to cut back on, alcohol treatment can help you find steadier ways to rest and cope.
How can we help?
We offer outpatient care that treats mental health and alcohol use together, with flexible options for different schedules.
Our intensive outpatient program provides structured therapy several days a week while you live at home.
For people who need evening care, LUNA, our evening online IOP, is available to California residents only.
We also provide medication assisted treatment, along with case management, online treatment and a family support program.
After formal treatment, NEXT Step aftercare helps you stay connected to support as you move forward.
We are in network with Anthem Blue Cross, MHN Health Net and Optum, and accept most PPO plans including Aetna, Cigna and GEHA. Our admissions team can help you understand your benefits.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have one drink on Seroquel?
Ask your prescriber about your own situation. The NIAAA lists Seroquel among medicines that interact with alcohol, so it is worth a direct conversation before you drink.
Why do I feel so dizzy when I stand up?
The FDA label explains that Seroquel can lower blood pressure when you change position, especially early in treatment or after a dose increase. Alcohol can make that dizziness worse, so stand slowly and tell your prescriber.
Is it safe to drive after Seroquel and alcohol?
No. Seroquel can impair judgment and motor skills on its own, and alcohol adds to that. Arrange another way to get where you are going.
Can alcohol make depression worse on Seroquel?
The NIAAA lists increased feelings of depression or hopelessness for the medication group that includes Seroquel. If your mood drops, talk with your prescriber, and call or text 988 if you are in crisis.
What should I do if someone mixed them and will not wake up?
Call 911 right away and stay with the person until help arrives. For questions when there is no emergency, call Poison Help at (800) 222-1222.
You do not have to sort out Seroquel and alcohol on your own. Call us at (424) 302-2598 or reach out through our contact page, and we will help you think through what kind of support fits your life.
