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Quetiapine
- Pronounced as (kwe tye' a peen)
- Drug class: Atypical antipsychotics
- AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
What is this medication?
QUETIAPINE (kwe TYE a peen) treats schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
It works by balancing the levels of dopamine and serotonin in your
brain, hormones that help regulate mood, behaviors, and thoughts. It
belongs to a group of medications called antipsychotics. Antipsychotic
medications can be used to treat several kinds of mental health
conditions.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care
provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
Brand names:
Dosage forms and strengths
- Extended-Release Oral Tablets:
50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg
- Oral Tablets: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100
mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg
Is quetiapine a sleeping pill or a narcotic?
No, quetiapine isn’t a
sleeping pill or a narcotic. Instead, quetiapine belongs to group of
drugs called
atypical antipsychotics. It’s used to manage symptoms of certain
mental health conditions.
Quetiapine may cause sleepiness as a side effect, especially when you
first start taking it. But it’s not approved for use as a sleep aid.
Opioid drugs are also called narcotics. These drugs are used for
pain management.
To learn more about quetiapine’s uses, ask your doctor for more
information.
What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- Blockage in your bowel
- Cataracts
- Constipation
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- Difficulty swallowing
- Glaucoma
- Heart disease
- High levels of prolactin
- History of breast cancer
- History of irregular heartbeat
- Liver disease
- Low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
- Low blood pressure
- Parkinson's disease
- Prostate disease
- Seizures
- Suicidal thoughts, plans or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by
you or a family member
- Thyroid disease
- Trouble passing urine
- An unusual or allergic reaction to quetiapine, other medications,
foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Breast-feeding
How should I use this medication?
Take this medication by mouth. Swallow it with a drink of water. Follow
the directions on the prescription label. If it upsets your stomach you
can take it with food. Take your medication at regular intervals. Do not
take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on the
advice of your care team.
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each
prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each
time.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children.
While this medication may be prescribed for children as young as 10
years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Patients over age 65 years may have a stronger reaction to this
medication and need smaller doses.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine
contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with
others.
How should I take Seroquel?
- Take Seroquel exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to
take it. Do not change the dose yourself.
- Take Seroquel by mouth, with or without food.
-
If you feel you need to stop Seroquel, talk with your
healthcare provider first. If you suddenly stop taking
Seroquel, you may have side effects such as trouble sleeping or
trouble staying asleep (insomnia), nausea, and vomiting.
- If you miss a dose of Seroquel, take it as soon as you remember.
If you are close to your next dose, skip the missed dose. Just take
the next dose at your regular time. Do not take 2 doses at the same
time unless your healthcare provider tells you to. If you are not
sure about your dosing, call your healthcare provider.
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.
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medication with any of the following:
- Cisapride
- Dronedarone
- Metoclopramide
- Pimozide
- Thioridazine
This medication may also interact with the following:
- Alcohol
- Antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold
- Atropine
- Avasimibe
- Certain antivirals for HIV or hepatitis
- Certain medications for anxiety or sleep
- Certain medications for bladder problems like oxybutynin,
tolterodine
- Certain medications for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine,
nefazodone, sertraline
- Certain medications for fungal infections like fluconazole,
ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole
- Certain medications for stomach problems like dicyclomine,
hyoscyamine
- Certain medications for travel sickness like scopolamine
- Cimetidine
- General anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane,
propofol
- Ipratropium
- Levodopa or other medications for Parkinson's disease
- Medications for blood pressure
- Medications for seizures
- Medications that relax muscles for surgery
- Narcotic medications for pain
- Other medications that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal
heart rhythm)
- Phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine
- Rifampin
- St. John's Wort
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health
care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription
drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke,
drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your
medicine.
What should I avoid while taking Seroquel?
Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities
until you know how Seroquel affects you. Seroquel may make you drowsy.
Avoid getting overheated or dehydrated
- Do not over-exercise.
- In hot weather, stay inside in a cool place if possible. Stay
out of the sun.
- Do not wear too much or heavy clothing.
- Drink plenty of water.
Do not drink alcohol while taking Seroquel. It may
make some side effects of Seroquel worse.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care
team if symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not
stop taking except on your care team's advice. You may develop a severe
reaction. Your care team will tell you how much medication to take.
You may need to have an eye exam before and during use of this
medication.
This medication may increase blood sugar. Ask your care team if changes
in diet or medications are needed if you have diabetes.
Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening
depression or thoughts of suicide. Also watch out for sudden or severe
changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky,
irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly
excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens,
especially at the beginning of antidepressant treatment or after a
change in dose, call your care team.
You may get dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything
that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects
you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older
patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may
interfere with the effect of this medication. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
This medication can cause problems with controlling your body
temperature. It can lower the response of your body to cold
temperatures. If possible, stay indoors during cold weather. If you must
go outdoors, wear warm clothes. It can also lower the response of your
body to heat. Do not overheat. Do not over-exercise. Stay out of the sun
when possible. If you must be in the sun, wear cool clothing. Drink
plenty of water. If you have trouble controlling your body temperature,
call your care team right away.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as
possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face,
lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling
faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)—increased thirst or amount of
urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, blurry vision
- High fever, stiff muscles, increased sweating, fast or irregular
heartbeat, and confusion, which may be signs of neuroleptic
malignant syndrome
- High prolactin level—unexpected breast tissue growth, discharge from
the nipple, change in sex drive or performance, irregular menstrual
cycle
- Increase in blood pressure in children
- Infection—fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
- Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry
vision
- Low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism)—unusual weakness or fatigue,
increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, hair loss, dry skin,
weight gain, feelings of depression
- Pain or trouble swallowing
- Seizures
- Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble
speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or
coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision
- Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing
halos around lights, vision loss
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of
depression
- Trouble passing urine
- Uncontrolled and repetitive body movements, muscle stiffness or
spasms, tremors or shaking, loss of balance or coordination,
restlessness, shuffling walk, which may be signs of extrapyramidal
symptoms (EPS)
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to
your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Weight gain
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor
for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to
FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at
1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at
https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a
seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call
emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- fainting
- fast heartbeat
Suicide Prevention
If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting
another person:
- Call 911 or your local emergency number.
- Stay with the person until help arrives.
- Remove any guns, knives, medications, or other things that may
cause harm.
- Listen, but don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, get help from a
crisis or suicide prevention hotline. Try the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Summary
Quetiapine is an antipsychotic drug prescribed to treat bipolar
disorder and schizophrenia. Common side effects include dizziness,
drowsiness, and weight gain. Possible serious and important side effects
include seizures, stroke, priapism (prolonged erection), irregular pulse
or blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and excessive sweating. Consult
your doctor prior to taking this medication if pregnant or
breastfeeding.
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