Quetiapine

Pronunciation: kwe-TYE-a-peen
Generic Name: Quetiapine
Brand Name: Seroquel

Quetiapine is an antipsychotic. It may increase the risk of death when used to treat mental problems caused by dementia in elderly patients. Most of the deaths were linked to heart problems or infection. Quetiapine is not approved to treat mental problems caused by dementia.

Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. However, depression and certain other mental problems may also increase the risk of suicide. Talk with the patient's doctor to be sure that the benefits of using Quetiapine outweigh the risks.

Family and caregivers must closely watch patients who take Quetiapine. It is important to keep in close contact with the patient's doctor. Tell the doctor right away if the patient has symptoms like worsened depression, suicidal thoughts, or changes in behavior. Discuss any questions with the patient's doctor.

Quetiapine is used for:

Treating schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic. Exactly how it works is not known. It affects certain receptors in the brain. This may help to improve symptoms associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Do NOT use Quetiapine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Quetiapine


• you have low blood potassium or magnesium levels


• you have a history of certain types of irregular heartbeat (eg, QT prolongation, very slow heartbeat)


• you are taking certain antiarrhythmic medicines (eg, amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol), certain antipsychotic medicines (eg, ziprasidone), methadone, pentamidine, certain phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine, thioridazine), or certain quinolone antibiotics (eg, moxifloxacin)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

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Before using Quetiapine:

Some medical conditions may interact with Quetiapine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you or a family member has a history of suicidal thoughts or attempts, bipolar disorder (manic depression) or other mental or mood problems, a certain type of irregular heartbeat (prolonged QT interval), or diabetes or high blood sugar


• if you drink alcohol or have a history of alcohol or substance abuse


• if you have Alzheimer disease, dementia, poor health, or trouble swallowing, or you are very overweight


• if you are dehydrated or have low blood volume


• if you have a history of a heart attack or other heart problems (eg, enlargement of the heart, heart failure, irregular heartbeat), stroke, blood vessel problems (eg, in the brain), high blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels, or high or low blood pressure


• if you have a history of low white blood cell levels, including low levels caused by medicine; liver problems; thyroid problems; cataracts; narrow-angle glaucoma; seizures; neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS); low blood magnesium or potassium levels; high blood prolactin levels; or breast cancer


• if you take medicines for depression or Parkinson disease


• if you take any medicine that may increase the risk of a certain type of irregular heartbeat (prolonged QT interval). Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines may increase the risk of this type of irregular heartbeat

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Quetiapine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Antiarrhythmic medicines (eg, amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol), antipsychotic medicines (eg, ziprasidone), methadone, pentamidine, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine, thioridazine ), or quinolone antibiotics (eg, moxifloxacin) because the risk of irregular heartbeat may be increased


• Alpha-blockers (eg, doxazosin) or other medicine for high blood pressure because the risk of low blood pressure and fainting may be increased


• Anticholinergics (eg, scopolamine), azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), divalproex or valproic acid, fluvoxamine, macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), or telithromycin because they may increase the risk of Quetiapine's side effects


• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), rifamycins (eg, rifampin), or thioridazine because they may decrease Quetiapine's effectiveness


• Dopamine receptor agonists (eg, pramipexole) or levodopa because their effectiveness may be decreased by Quetiapine

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Quetiapine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Quetiapine:

Use Quetiapine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Quetiapine comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Quetiapine refilled.


• Take Quetiapine by mouth with or without food.


• Continue to take Quetiapine even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• Do not suddenly stop taking Quetiapine without first talking with your doctor. You may have an increased risk of side effects. If you need to stop Quetiapine, your doctor will gradually lower your dose.


• If you miss a dose of Quetiapine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. If you miss taking Quetiapine for longer than 1 week, contact your doctor before you start to take it again. Your dose may need to be adjusted.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Quetiapine.

Important safety information:

• Quetiapine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or decreased vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Quetiapine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Quetiapine; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.


• Quetiapine may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. This may be more likely to occur when you start to take Quetiapine, and also if your dose increases. To prevent these effects, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.


• Do not drink alcohol while you are using Quetiapine.


• Do not become overheated or dehydrated in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke, dizziness, or fainting may occur.


• Several weeks may pass before your symptoms improve. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.


• Children, teenagers, and young adults who take Quetiapine may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take Quetiapine closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms, such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior, occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.


• Quetiapine may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.


• Quetiapine may raise your blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.


• Diabetes patients - Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• NMS is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Quetiapine. Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.


• Some patients who take Quetiapine may develop muscle movements that they cannot control. This is more likely to happen in elderly patients, especially women. The chance that this will happen or that it will become permanent is greater in those who take Quetiapine in higher doses or for a long time. Muscle problems may also occur after short-term treatment with low doses. Tell your doctor at once if you have muscle problems with your arms; legs; or your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, chewing movements, mouth puckering, puffing of cheeks, tongue sticking out) while taking Quetiapine.


• Rarely, Quetiapine may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.


• Quetiapine may increase the amount of a certain hormone (prolactin) in your blood. Symptoms may include enlarged breasts or decreased sexual ability in men missed menstrual period or nipple discharge in women. Contact your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur.


• Quetiapine may interfere with certain lab tests, including certain urine drug screen tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Quetiapine.


• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, blood sugar or cholesterol levels, liver function, thyroid function, or eye exams, may be performed while you use Quetiapine. You may also receive regular weight checks while you use Quetiapine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Quetiapine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially uncontrolled muscle movements.


• Increased blood pressure has been reported in CHILDREN and TEENAGERS who use Quetiapine. Children and teenagers should receive regular blood pressure checks while they use Quetiapine.


• Quetiapine should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Quetiapine while you are pregnant. Using Quetiapine during the third trimester may result in uncontrolled muscle movements or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Quetiapine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Quetiapine.

If you stop taking Quetiapine suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include diarrhea, dizziness, headache, irritability, nausea, trouble sleeping, or vomiting.

Possible side effects of Quetiapine:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Back pain; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; increased appetite; light-headedness; nausea; runny or stuffy nose; sluggishness; sore throat; stomach pain or upset; tiredness; vomiting; weakness; weight gain.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; difficult or painful urination; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; hallucinations; increased saliva production or drooling; increased sweating; memory loss; menstrual changes; muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, aggressiveness, agitation, anxiety, depression, exaggerated feeling of well-being, hostility, impulsiveness, inability to sit still, irritability, panic attacks, restlessness); numbness, burning, or tingling; persistent, painful erection; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or prolonged dizziness, light-headedness, or headache; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or actions; swelling of the hands, legs, or feet; symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, increased thirst, hunger, or urination; unusual weakness); tremor; trouble concentrating, speaking, or swallowing; trouble sleeping; trouble walking or standing; uncontrolled muscle movements (eg, arm or leg movements, jerking or twisting, twitching of the face or tongue); vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Quetiapine side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; muscle pain, weakness, or cramping; severe dizziness, drowsiness, or light-headedness.

Proper storage of Quetiapine:

Store Quetiapine at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Quetiapine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Quetiapine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Quetiapine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Quetiapine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Quetiapine resources

• Quetiapine Side Effects (in more detail)
• Quetiapine Dosage
• Quetiapine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Quetiapine Drug Interactions
• Quetiapine Support Group
• 277 Reviews for Quetiapine - Add your own review/rating

• Quetiapine Fumarate Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Seroquel Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Seroquel Consumer Overview


• Seroquel XR Prescribing Information (FDA)


• quetiapine Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

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