Is a Seroquel generic available?

In this article:

• Generic vs. brand-name Seroquel
• Generic Seroquel cost
• Is Seroquel covered by insurance?
• How to get coverage
• Alternatives

In this article

• Generic vs. brand-name Seroquel
• Generic Seroquel cost
• Is Seroquel covered by insurance?
• How to get coverage
• Alternatives

Seroquel is a brand-name prescription drug used to treat bipolar disorder in adults and adolescents ages 10 and older. This medication, classified as an atypical antipsychotic, is also approved to treat schizophrenia in adults and adolescents ages 13 and older. Because it helps regulate dopamine in the central nervous system (CNS), it may also be used as a supplemental therapy for major depressive disorder.

Like many other brand-name drugs, Seroquel is expensive. The good news is that lower-cost generic Seroquel is available as quetiapine (or quetiapine fumarate), the same name as the drug’s active ingredient. Seroquel XR, extended-release tablets, are also available as quetiapine ER.

Seroquel generic availability
Generic name	Quetiapine
FDA approval date of the generic version	2012
Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.?	Yes

What are the differences between generic and brand-name Seroquel?

In the United States, generic drugs must contain the same active ingredients and have the same strength and dosage form as the brand-name drug. Some research has found a slight difference between brand-name and generic antidepressants. But in most cases, patients don’t notice the difference, according to Barbara Sparacino, MD, a triple board-certified psychiatrist in Miami, Florida. “That said, I never dismiss a patient’s concerns,” Sparacino says. “For someone living with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, medication stability often represents safety and predictability. A change, even a financially beneficial one, can feel destabilizing.”

While generic and brand-name Seroquel are nearly identical, there are small differences: 

• Inactive ingredients. Fillers and binders in generics can be different — and may not be as regulated, according to JaLorean Hayes, MPH, RN, a Georgia-based registered nurse and founder of Meal Maps.
• Appearance. Generic tablets are often a different color or shape to differentiate them from their brand-name counterparts. 
• Price. Generics cost less. The lower price doesn’t indicate lower quality—it reflects the original manufacturer’s need to conduct in-depth clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the active ingredient and dosage.

Seroquel (quetiapine) at a glance
Uses	Bipolar disorder Schizophrenia Major depressive disorder (MDD) add-on therapy
Dosage form	Tablet  Extended-release tablet
Common side effects of quetiapine	Drowsiness Dry mouth Low blood pressure (hypotension) Constipation Abdominal pain Weight gain Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) Increased appetite Increased LDL (“bad”) cholesterol Increased serum triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood)
Serious adverse effects	Thoughts of suicide Dementia-related psychosis Tardive dyskinesia (muscle stiffness and uncontrolled movements) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome Allergic reaction
Drug interactions	Mixing with a CYP3A4 inhibitor, such as ketoconazole, requires dose adjustment  Mixing with CYP3A4 inducers such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, or rifampin requires dosage adjustment Mixing with other anticholinergics poses an increased risk of side effects Mixing with antiarrhythmics such as sotalol, quinidine, and amiodarone can cause QT prolongation, a dangerous heart rhythm problem. Mixing with the over-the-counter (OTC) supplement St. John’s Wort can require dose adjustment
Warnings	Due to the possibility of impacting prolactin levels (causing high prolactin), tell your provider if you are: Pregnant or planning to become pregnant  Breastfeeding Tell your provider if you experience: Worsening mental health Thyroid issues such as hypothyroidism Do not stop this medication without medical advice. In rare cases, withdrawal symptoms may occur.

How much does generic Seroquel cost?

Most people are interested in generic drugs because they are more affordable than their brand-name counterparts. That’s also true of Seroquel. The average retail price of brand-name Seroquel (before insurance or discounts) is $257 for 30, 100-milligram (mg) tablets. In contrast, the average retail price of generic quetiapine is $155 for 30, 100-mg tablets.

The cash cost of generic Seroquel can be reduced even further — to as little as $9 for 30 100-mg tablets — with a SingleCare discount card or a free coupon.

Brand vs. generic Seroquel prices
	Brand-name Seroquel	Seroquel generic (quetiapine)
Average cost without insurance	$257 for 30, 100-milligram (mg) tablets of Seroquel	$155 for 30, 100-mg tablets of generic quetiapine
SingleCare’s lowest price	$9 for 30, 100-mg tablets of generic Seroquel at Kroger	$9 for 30, 100-mg tablets of generic quetiapine at Kroger
Free coupons	Seroquel coupons	Quetiapine coupons

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of February 26, 2026. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. 

Is Seroquel covered by insurance?

Insurance coverage of Seroquel varies by provider and plan. In general, insurance policies offer better coverage for generics than brand-name drugs. And because quetiapine is a commonly prescribed generic drug, it is typically covered by private health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid plans. 

Ultimately, the only way to know if your insurance plan covers brand-name Seroquel or generic quetiapine is to check your plan’s drug formulary (list of covered drugs) or contact your insurance provider. 

How do you get Seroquel covered by insurance?

In most cases, commercial and federal health insurance plans cover generic Seroquel (quetiapine) even if they do not cover brand-name Seroquel. That means switching to generic quetiapine might be the best path to getting Seroquel covered by insurance. “Although the generic costs less, that does not mean it is any less effective or less safe,” Hayes says. “Also, remember this does not have to be a final act. If the generic medication does not provide the same relief or proves to have more side effects than you were previously experiencing, keep track of those and make your prescribing provider aware.”

If you are trying to get brand-name Seroquel without insurance, it’s a good idea to seek personalized advice from your healthcare provider about how to access your medication at the lowest possible price.

Generic alternatives to Seroquel

Generic alternatives for brand-name Seroquel and quetiapine include other antipsychotics. “Medication choice is highly individualized,” Dr. Sparacino emphasizes. She says determining the best treatment depends on the diagnosis (schizophrenia versus bipolar disorder), symptoms, sensitivity to side effects, and more.

Here are some common alternatives:

• Risperidone 
• Olanzapine
• Aripiprazole
• Asenapine
• Lurasidone
• Paliperidone 
• Ziprasidone

In some cases, health care professionals prescribe Seroquel off-label at low doses for a range of psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. Seroquel alternatives for these conditions may include first-line antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). 

Thinking of making a switch? “Medication changes in serious mental illness aren’t just pharmacologic decisions, they’re emotional decisions,” Dr. Saracino says. “Stability matters, and that’s why collaboration and follow-up are essential.”