09/20/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/20/2024 11:44
Key takeaways:
Seroquel (quetiapine) is an FDA-approved oral medication that's commonly prescribed to treat mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Without insurance, a 30-day supply of Seroquel (60 tablets at 100 mg each) costs about $474.97. Generic Seroquel can cost much less, especially if you have health insurance.
The cost of Seroquel depends on several factors, such as dosage, pharmacy, insurance coverage, and whether you get the brand-name or generic form. A GoodRx coupon can help you save on your medication.
Seroquel - and its generic version, quetiapine - is a prescription antipsychotic medication. It's FDA approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
This medication is available in immediate-release (taken 2 or 3 times daily) and extended-release (once daily) tablets. The extended-release version, Seroquel XR (quetiapine ER), is also approved as an add-on medication for depression.
Seroquel may cause side effects, such as headache or drowsiness, which usually improve over time. If symptoms persist, ask a healthcare professional to learn about your options.
Be patient with results: Seroquel may start working in a couple of weeks, but it usually takes 2 to 3 months to experience the medication's full effects.
Don't mix with alcohol: Taking Seroquel with alcohol can intensify the medication's side effects, such as dizziness and drowsiness, and worsen your mental health condition.
Seroquel vs. lithium for bipolar disorder: Both work well and can have side effects, but lithium requires routine blood tests to check for lithium toxicity.
Brand names |
Seroquel, Seroquel XR |
Generic names |
Quetiapine, quetiapine ER |
• 150 mg to 750 mg per day, divided into 2 or 3 doses (immediate release) |
|
FDA-approved uses |
• Schizophrenia |
Off-label uses |
• Insomnia or agitation associated with other health conditions, such as Parkinson's disease |
How it works |
Seroquel (quetiapine) is thought to balance chemicals - serotonin and dopamine - in the brain to help manage thoughts, behaviors, and mood |
Possible side effects |
Drowsiness, headache, constipation, upset stomach, weight gain, dizziness, dry mouth, movement problems |
Most major health insurance plans cover prescription medications, including Seroquel. But coverage varies by plan.
Review your plan's summary of benefits and coverage and formulary to find out which medications your plan covers. If you have Medicare Part D, there are at least two medications covered in each drug category.
Medicare Part D generally doesn't cover brand-name Seroquel or Seroquel XR, but it will cover their generics, quetiapine and quetiapine ER.
Here are a few options if your insurance does not cover Seroquel:
Talk to your prescriber about alternatives.
Ask for an exception from your prescription plan, though you may be required to do step therapy.
File an appeal with your health plan.
Try a patient assistance program.
Use a GoodRx coupon for potential savings.
Reconsider your prescription plan during your next open enrollment period to make sure the medication you need is covered.
If you don't have health insurance, the retail price of brand-name Seroquel depends on the following factors:
Dosage form (Seroquel XR is typically more costly than Seroquel)
Dosage
Fill amount: 90-day supply versus 30-day supply
Geographic location
Specific pharmacy
The chart below contains recent prices for a 30-day supply of brand-name Seroquel based on twice-a-day dosages.
Seroquel dose (60 immediate-release tablets) |
Average retail price |
25 mg |
|
50 mg |
|
100 mg |
|
200 mg |
|
300 mg |
|
400 mg |
The chart below contains recent prices for a 30-day supply of brand-name Seroquel XR based on once-a-day dosages.
Seroquel XR dose (30 extended-release tablets) |
Average retail price |
50 mg |
|
150 mg |
|
200 mg |
|
300 mg |
|
400 mg |
Generic medications typically cost less than their brand-name counterparts. Quetiapine, the generic version of Seroquel, is available in the same forms and dosages as the brand name.
The chart below contains recent prices for 30-day supplies of different quetiapine twice-daily doses.
Quetiapine dose - generic Seroquel (60 tablets) |
Average retail price |
25 mg |
|
50 mg |
|
100 mg |
|
200 mg |
|
300 mg |
|
400 mg |
The chart below contains recent prices for 30-day supplies of different quetiapine ER once-daily doses.
Quetiapine ER dose - generic Seroquel XR (30 tablets) |
Average retail price |
50 mg |
|
150 mg |
|
200 mg |
|
300 mg |
|
400 mg |
Here are ways to save on Seroquel without insurance:
Using a GoodRx coupon may save you money on your Seroquel prescription. Here's how to get a coupon:
Install the GoodRx app on your mobile device, or visit www.goodrx.com.
Type "Seroquel" in the search field. Select "Seroquel (brand)" or "Seroquel (generic)" from the drop-down menu. For the extended-release tablets, search for "Seroquel XR" and choose brand or generic.
Choose the correct dose and quantity, and make sure your location is correct.
Select "Search prices" to find costs at local pharmacies.
Choose the pharmacy where you want your prescription filled, and text, email, or print out your coupon.
Present the coupon at the pharmacy when you pick up your prescription, but you'll likely need to wait for your medication to be reprocessed with your new price. Or to save time, call or message the pharmacy to give them the information before you fill your prescription.
Ask your prescriber to write you a prescription for a 90-day supply of Seroquel instead of a 30-day supply to compare costs. Getting a 3-month supply may offer a better value than filling your prescription every month. It also can cut down on your trips to the pharmacy and reduce your overall costs. If your health insurance covers Seroquel (quetiapine), ask about discounts for using your plan's mail-order pharmacy.
Use GoodRx to easily compare costs at different pharmacies to find the best Seroquel price in your area.
A healthcare professional may not consider cost when prescribing your medication. Ask about less-costly versions or a similar medication that may work better with your budget.
If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or a health savings account (HSA), consider using it to help cover your Seroquel prescription. An FSA or HSA can reduce your out-of-pocket costs through tax savings.
Seroquel (quetiapine) is FDA approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It comes as an immediate-release tablet you'll typically take twice a day. It also comes as an extended-release tablet, called Seroquel XR (quetiapine ER), that you'll typically take once daily.
The cost of Seroquel depends on your location, dosage, pharmacy, and insurance coverage. If you don't have insurance, you could spend $474.97 for 60 tablets of 100 mg brand-name Seroquel. That compares with the $177.92 cost for 60 tablets of 100 mg generic Seroquel (quetiapine). You may be able to save money on your medication by using a GoodRx coupon or getting a 90-day supply.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022). Your guide to Medicare drug coverage.
Healthcare.gov. (n.d.). Appealing a health plan decision.
Health Insurance Marketplace. (n.d.). Understanding the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC): Fast facts for assisters. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Maan, J. S., et al. (2023). Quetiapine. StatPearls.
RemedyRepack. (2024). Quetiapine fumarate- quetiapine fumarate tablet [package insert].
Schaefer, C., et al. (Eds.). (2005). Quetiapine. Drugs during pregnancy and lactation: Treatment options and risk assessment, 3rd Edition. Academic Press.
ScieGen Pharmaceuticals. (2024). Quetiapine extended release- quetiapine tablet, film coated, extended release [package insert].
By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.