Seroquel belongs in the atypical antipsychotic family of drugs primarily aimed at treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Other related compounds include Abilify, Zyprexa, Risperdal and Vraylar. Even though its patent expired long ago, Seroquel and its generic quetiapine remain popular with nearly 9 million prescriptions each year.

A long list of significant adverse reactions appears directly related to Seroquel. Among the most common are increases, sometimes dramatic, in body weight, blood sugar, bad cholesterol, triglycerides and in prepubertal boys breast tissue enlargement. Seroquel may lead to involuntary and unwanted muscle movements of the face and extremities that may be permanent remaining long after discontinuation of the drug. Tiredness, seizures, hypothyroidism and heartbeat irregularities may also occur.

Amazingly this potent medicine is regularly misused with more people receiving prescriptions by general practitioners and internists than psychiatrists. Increasingly low dose Seroquel is prescribed for insomnia. This unwise, inappropriate, dangerous and unsupported use of Seroquel should be avoided.