Are night sweats a side effect of Seroquel (quetiapine)?

Night Sweats as a Side Effect of Quetiapine (Seroquel)

Yes, night sweats are a documented side effect of Seroquel (quetiapine). The FDA drug label for quetiapine specifically lists sweating as an adverse reaction that occurs in approximately 2% of patients taking the medication 1.

Evidence for Sweating as a Side Effect

• Quetiapine's FDA label identifies "sweating" as an adverse reaction occurring in 2% of patients during clinical trials, at a rate higher than placebo 1.
• Night sweats specifically fall under this category of sweating-related side effects, which can occur at any time during treatment 1.
• The side effect profile of quetiapine includes various autonomic nervous system effects, with sweating being one of the documented reactions 1.

Mechanism of Action

• Antipsychotic medications like quetiapine can affect the body's temperature regulation and autonomic nervous system function 2.
• Sweating may result from quetiapine's effects on multiple neurotransmitter systems, including serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways 2.
• Similar to other psychotropic medications, quetiapine's influence on central thermoregulation may contribute to excessive sweating in some patients 3.

Management of Medication-Induced Sweating

• If night sweats are bothersome, patients should discuss this side effect with their healthcare provider rather than discontinuing the medication abruptly 4.
• Management options may include:
  • Dose adjustment (lower doses may reduce the likelihood of sweating) 4
  • Medication timing adjustment (taking the dose earlier in the evening) 4
  • Consideration of alternative medications if sweating significantly impacts quality of life or sleep 4

Differential Diagnosis

• It's important to rule out other causes of night sweats when they occur during quetiapine treatment:
  • Infections 5
  • Hormonal changes 5
  • Malignancies 5
  • Other medications that commonly cause sweating (such as antidepressants) 5, 4

Important Considerations

• Night sweats should be evaluated in the context of other symptoms; isolated night sweats without fever, weight loss, or other concerning symptoms are more likely to be medication-related 5.
• The prevalence of night sweats in the general population ranges from 10-60%, making it important to establish a temporal relationship between starting quetiapine and the onset of night sweats 5.
• If night sweats are severe or accompanied by other symptoms like fever, weight loss, or lymphadenopathy, further evaluation may be warranted 5.

Conclusion

Night sweats are a recognized side effect of quetiapine that occurs in a small but significant percentage of patients. This side effect should be discussed with a healthcare provider if it becomes bothersome, as management strategies are available.