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Quetiapine

Common Brand Name(s): Seroquel

Common Generic Name(s): quetiapine, quetiapine fumarate

Pronunciation: kwe-TYE-a-peen, SER-oh-kwell

Drug Classes: atypical antipsychotic

Availability: prescription only, generic available

How is it used? tablet that is swallowed

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:

Seroquel^®

Seroquel^® XR

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.

One Final Note..

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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Most recent revision July 12, 2025 08:38:12 AM

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