Seroquel Classification: Is Quetiapine A Controlled Substance?

No, quetiapine-based medications are not controlled substances, due to their lack of addictive or stimulant qualities.

It has the highest potential for drug abuse when it is taken against prescribing instructions or when someone takes it without being legitimately prescribed a quetiapine medication.

Why Seroquel Is Not Considered A Controlled Substance

There are several reasons why Seroquel is not considered a controlled substance, according to clinical studies and advice from pharmacology experts.

Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate) is an atypical antipsychotic medication that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Although Seroquel is a prescription medication, it is not considered a controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Not Likely To Cause Addiction

This medication has a low potential for abuse, as it does not produce the same type of ‘high’ you might expect to find from other drugs, like benzodiazepines or alcohol.

The main difference between a controlled substance and other prescription medications is that controlled substances have the potential to be abused and are tightly regulated by the government.

In contrast, medications like Seroquel do not have a high potential for abuse and are not subject to the same strict regulations.

In fact, Seroquel is sometimes prescribed to people who are addicted to other substances. Seroquel is also not considered to be addictive but may induce dependence.

The effects of quetiapine on the brain do not generally lend to addiction or misuse, as people who are prescribed this antidepressant are already chemically imbalanced.

This imbalance means that, instead of the drug working unnecessarily on the brain and producing an excess of dopamine and serotonin, the medication works to repair that precious balance.

People who are legitimately prescribed quetiapine for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar disorder can make use of the drug in low doses without the potential for misuse.

What Drug Classification Is Seroquel?

Seroquel, the brand-name version of quetiapine, belongs to a classification of drugs used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder dubbed atypical antipsychotics.

These drugs bind themselves to the neurotransmitters in the brain and prevent the reuptake of 5-HT2A dopamine receptors, among others, to prevent excess dopamine distribution.

Why People Abuse Seroquel

People abuse Seroquel alongside cocaine or opioids to increase the effects of drugs associated with substance use.

Seroquel can prolong the effects of other drugs, including medications that it is prescribed alongside, so it can be attractive to people already in the midst of drug addiction.

Sedative Effects

The effects felt by ingesting a second-generation antipsychotic medication such as Seroquel XR are primarily sedative in nature.

These sedative effects are commonly reported to dampen cognitive function, reduce suicidal thoughts, and calm the central nervous system.

Heightens Effects Of Other Substances

Due to the actions perpetrated on the histamine neuroreceptors in the central nervous system (CNS), Seroquel can heighten the effects of other substances.

The use of quetiapine in an off-label setting, and alongside the consumption of other substances, can prolong the effects produced by taking drugs.

In fact, some people may snort Seroquel in an attempt to produce a faster onset of sedative effects, such as when taking an ‘upper’ like cocaine — to balance out cocaine’s stimulant effects.

How People Abuse Seroquel

Seroquel comes primarily in the form of pills or tablets, and as such can be crushed and snorted or dissolved into liquids for intravenous use.

Off-label use does not necessitate that the drug is dissolved or crushed, however, as the most common method of Seroquel misuse is simply by oral ingestion of the pill.

It is often mixed with stimulants such as cocaine, as this combination can mitigate the dysphoria-inducing effects of cocaine withdrawal.

Dangers Of Misusing Seroquel

As with any other medication or substance, there are many dangers associated with misusing Seroquel.

Those who abuse Seroquel intravenously are at an increased risk of developing pulmonary infections, contracting HIV, and more.

Using this drug legitimately can also induce effects on the heart, so abuse of the drug can be dangerous.

Risks associated with Seroquel drug abuse include:

• drowsiness
• high blood pressure
• heightened risk of developing cataracts, even as a common side effect of regular use
• risk of perpetuating pre-existing mental illnesses
• dry mouth
• risk of metabolic disturbances
• chance of developing thyroid diseases
• depression and suicidal thoughts
• risk of polydrug withdrawal symptoms
• constipation
• weight gain
• psychosis
• mood swings
• increased risk of diabetes

The side effects of consuming Seroquel alongside other drugs, especially when it is taken intravenously with cocaine, can result in acute overdose.

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Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff