Seroquel vs. Lithium

Are Seroquel and Lithium the Same Thing?

Seroquel (quetiapine) and lithium (brand name: Lithobid) are used to treat bipolar disorder.

Seroquel is also used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children who are at least 13 years old, and major depression.

Seroquel and lithium belong to different drug classes. Seroquel is an antipsychotic and lithium is an alkali-metal.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Seroquel?

Common side effects of Seroquel include:

  • mood or behavior changes,
  • constipation,
  • stomach pain,
  • upset stomach,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • drowsiness,
  • dizziness,
  • lightheadedness,
  • tiredness,
  • headache,
  • trouble sleeping,
  • dry mouth,
  • sore throat,
  • breast swelling or discharge,
  • missed menstrual periods,
  • increased appetite, or
  • weight gain.

Older adults with dementia may have a slightly increased risk of death when taking Seroquel.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Lithium?

Common side effects of Lithium include:

  • hand tremor
  • increased dilute urination
  • mild thirst
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • drowsiness
  • muscular weakness, and
  • lack of coordination

What Is Seroquel?

Seroquel (quetiapine) is a psychotropic medication used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children who are at least 13 years old. Seroquel is also used in the treatment of major depression and bipolar disorder.

What Is Lithium?

Lithium is an alkali-metal indicated in the treatment of manic episodes of Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar Disorder, Manic (DSM-IV) is equivalent to Manic Depressive illness, Manic, in the older DSM-II terminology. Lithobid is also indicated as a maintenance treatment for individuals with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. Maintenance therapy reduces the frequency of manic episodes and diminishes the intensity of those episodes which may occur.

What Drugs Interact With Seroquel?

Seroquel may also interact with other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety), medications to treat Parkinson's disease, steroids, antibiotics, antifungal medications, anti-malaria medications, heart rhythm medicines, medications to treat HIV or AIDS, or migraine headache medicines.

What Drugs Interact With Lithium?

Lithium may also interact with acetazolamide, urea, xanthine preparations, alkalinizing agents such as sodium bicarbonate, iodide preparations, metronidazole, fluoxetine, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

How Should Seroquel Be Taken?

Dosing preparations are 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg tablets.

How Should Lithium Be Taken?

Optimal patient response can usually be established with 1800 mg/day Lithobid, taken as 3 tablets in the morning, and 3 tablets in the evening.

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References

RxList. Seroquel Side Effects Drug Center
https://www.rxlist.com/seroquel-side-effects-drug-center.htm
RxList. Lithium/Lithobid Side Effects Drug Center.
https://www.rxlist.com/lithobid-side-effects-drug-center.htm

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