From the Guidelines
To manage hypertriglyceridemia in patients taking Seroquel (quetiapine), lifestyle interventions should be the first line of therapy, focusing on weight loss, dietary changes, and increased physical activity, as recommended by the 2021 ACC expert consensus decision pathway 1.
Key Lifestyle Modifications
- Weight loss of 5-10% of body weight can lower triglyceride levels by 20% 1
- Adopt a heart-healthy diet low in refined carbohydrates, sugars, and saturated fats
- Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish or supplements (1-4 grams daily)
- Regular exercise of at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity
- Limit alcohol consumption completely or significantly as it can raise triglycerides
Medication Adjustments
- Discuss with your doctor about possibly adjusting your Seroquel dosage or switching to an antipsychotic with fewer metabolic effects, such as aripiprazole (Abilify) or ziprasidone (Geodon) 1
- If triglycerides remain high despite lifestyle modifications, your doctor might prescribe medications specifically for triglycerides, such as fibrates (fenofibrate, gemfibrozil), prescription omega-3 fatty acids (Lovaza, Vascepa), or statins 1
Monitoring and Follow-up
- Regular monitoring of lipid levels is essential while on Seroquel, as it can cause metabolic changes including increased triglycerides due to its effects on glucose metabolism and weight gain 1
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Managing Hypertriglyceridemia in Patients Taking Seroquel (Quetiapine)
- Hypertriglyceridemia is a common condition associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and pancreatitis 2, 3, 4.
- Patients taking Seroquel (quetiapine) may be at risk of developing hypertriglyceridemia due to the medication's side effects 4.
- Management of hypertriglyceridemia in these patients involves:
- Dietary changes: lowering carbohydrate intake and increasing fat and protein intake can help lower triglyceride levels 2.
- Physical activity: moderate- to high-intensity exercise can lower triglyceride levels and improve body composition 2.
- Calculating cardiovascular risk: determining the patient's 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease can help guide treatment decisions 2.
- Medications: statins, fibrates, niacin, and omega-3 fatty acids may be considered to reduce triglyceride levels and cardiovascular risk 2, 3, 5, 6.
- For patients with severely elevated triglyceride levels (≥500 mg/dL), fibrates, omega-3 fatty acids, or niacin may be considered to reduce the risk of pancreatitis 2, 5.
- Recent clinical trials suggest that adding icosapent ethyl to background statin therapy may further reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in patients with moderate hypertriglyceridemia 6.