Yes, quetiapine and Seroquel are the same medication.
Quetiapine is the generic drug name, and Seroquel is the brand name for the same atypical antipsychotic medication 1. According to the FDA drug label, SEROQUEL® (quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic belonging to the dibenzothiazepine derivatives chemical class 1. The tablets contain quetiapine fumarate salt, with all doses expressed as milligrams of the base drug 1.
Key Points About This Medication
Formulations Available:
- Immediate-release tablets (Seroquel): 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg 1
- Extended-release formulation (Seroquel XR) is also available 2
FDA-Approved Indications:
Common Off-Label Uses: Despite FDA approval for only schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, quetiapine is extensively prescribed off-label for at least 26 different indications 5. However, a 2024 systematic analysis found that 79% of these off-label uses lack confirmatory evidence from large randomized trials, meaning most exploratory studies suggesting benefit were never followed up with rigorous confirmation 5. This creates a concerning pattern where physicians may be prescribing quetiapine for conditions where efficacy remains unproven.
Clinical Considerations
When you see either name on a prescription or medication list, they refer to the identical active pharmaceutical ingredient. The choice between generic (quetiapine) and brand name (Seroquel) typically relates to cost, insurance coverage, or prescriber preference rather than any difference in the medication itself.
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