Seroquel (quetiapine): Antipsychotic Side Effects & Dosage

What is quetiapine (Seroquel)? What is quietiapine used for?

Quetiapine is an oral atypical antipsychotic drug.

What brand names are available for quetiapine?

Seroquel and Seroquel XR are the brand names available for quetiapine in the US.

Is quetiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XR) available as a generic drug?

Yes

Do I need a prescription for quetiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XR)?

Yes

Why is quetiapine prescribed to patients?

What are the side effects of quetiapine?

Warning for people with high or low blood pressure and Seroquel or Seroquel XR

Seroquel or Seroquel XR can cause orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure upon standing that can lead to dizziness or fainting) especially during the first 3-5 day period of treatment, when it is restarted after temporary discontinuation, and after an increase in the dose. The risk of orthostatic hypotension is about 1 in 100 (one of every hundred patients who take quetiapine).

As with other antipsychotics, long-term use of quetiapine may lead to irreversible tardive dyskinesia, a neurologic disease which consists of involuntary movements of the jaw, lips, and tongue.

Warning for people with cataracts taking Seroquel or Seroquel XR

In animals, quetiapine has been associated with the development of cataracts, and cataracts have been reported in patients using quetiapine for prolonged periods. Although it is not clear if quetiapine was responsible for the cataracts seen in humans, eye examinations by slit-lamp (to identify cataracts before they impair vision) are recommended at the beginning of treatment and every six months during treatment. If cataracts form, treatment should be discontinued.

Warning for people with high triglycerides or cholesterol taking Seroquel or Seroquel XR

Quetiapine may increase blood concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides by 11% and 17%, respectively.

Warning for people with diabetes taking quetiapine taking Seroquel or Seroquel XR

There is an increased risk of hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) and diabetes-related events in patients taking atypical antipsychotics, including quetiapine. Patients should be tested during treatment for elevated blood-sugars. Additionally, persons with risk factors for diabetes, including obesity or a family history of diabetes, should have their fasting levels of blood sugar tested before starting treatment and periodically throughout treatment to detect the onset of diabetes. Any patient developing symptoms that suggest diabetes during treatment should be tested for diabetes.

Common side effects

  • The most common side effects of Seroquel or Seroquel XR are
  • Possible serious side effects include
  • Other important side effects include a potentially fatal complex referred to as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), in which patients may have
  • Quetiapine frequently causes tiredness (1 in 5 patients), especially during the first 3-5 days of treatment. Because of this tiredness, care should be exercised in any activity requiring mental alertness such as operating a motor vehicle or hazardous machinery.
  • Less common side effects include seizures (1 in 125 patients) and hypothyroidism (1 in 250 patients).




QUESTION

Schizophrenia is the most disabling mental illness.
See Answer

What is the dosage for quetiapine?

  • Immediate release quetiapine usually is taken two or three times daily.
  • Extended release quetiapine is taken once daily.
  • The dose usually is increased slowly over several days or weeks to achieve the desired effect.
  • Quetiapine can be taken with or without food.
  • The initial dose for bipolar disorder is 50 mg twice daily (100 mg/day) of immediate release quetiapine. The dose can be increased by 100 mg/day to a daily dose of 400 mg/day. Most patients respond to 400-800 mg/day. Doses greater than 800 mg/d have not been studied. The starting dose is 300 mg once daily and the target dose is 400-800 mg once daily when using extended release tablets.
  • The initial dose for schizophrenia is 25 mg twice daily (50 mg/day) of immediate release tablets. The dose can be increased by 25-50 mg two or three times daily. The target dose is 300-400 mg/day in two or three doses. Patients respond to 150-750 mg/day, and doses greater than 800 mg/day have not been evaluated. The starting dose is 300 mg once daily and the target dose is 400-800 mg once daily when using extended release tablets.
  • The dose range for treating major depression is 150-300 mg/day of extended release tablets. The starting does is 50 mg in the evening for 2 days increasing to 150 mg in the evening.

Latest Mental Health News

Trending on MedicineNet

Which drugs or supplements interact with quetiapine?

Is quetiapine safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

  • There are no adequate studies of Seroquel and Seroquel XR in pregnant women. Studies in animals are inconsistent. Some studies suggest effects on the fetus and others show no effects. Seroquel and Seroquel XR should be used in pregnancy only if the physician feels that it is necessary and that the potential benefits justify the unknown risks.
  • Seroquel and Seroquel XR is excreted in the milk of animals during lactation. Although it is not known if it is excreted in human milk, it is recommended that women taking Seroquel and Seroquel XR not breastfeed.

What else should I know about quetiapine?

What preparations of quetiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XR) are available?
  • Tablets: 25, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg.
  • Tablet (Extended Release): 50, 150, 200, 300 and 400 mg
How should I keep quetiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XR) stored?
  • Tablets should be stored at room temperature, 15 C to 30 C (59 F to 86 F).
How does quetiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XR) work?
  • Although the mechanism of action of quetiapine is unknown, like other atypical anti-psychotics, it inhibits communication among nerves of the brain. It does this by blocking receptors on the nerves for several neurotransmitters, the chemicals that nerves use to communicate with each other. It is thought that its beneficial effect is due to blocking of the dopamine type 2 (D2) and serotonin type 2 (5-HT2) receptors.
When was quetiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XR) approved by the FDA?
  • The FDA approved quetiapine in September 1997.

Check Also

강남 셔츠룸 서울부장

강남 셔츠룸 매정한 나라에요 ㅋㅋㅋ 신규오픈 매장으로 설치 물품들이 많습니다. 역시 시부야 아니랄까봐 우리 나라 정서가 두 들겨야 흥이 더 나는듯 합니다. 아직 소버일때 우리 여자 예쁘니 직원들이랑 사진찍고 놀기  5~2배 정도 들었던것같아요 일환이었던 월성 원전 1호기 조기폐쇄에 대한 감사는 수위 조절이 실패해서 포기 햇엇드랫죠;; 대량 매출 가능한 입지라 확신합니다. 게임센터 규모도 장난 아니더라구요 차량…

Leave a Reply