What is quetiapine?
Quetiapine is an antipsychotic medicine. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.
Quetiapine is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children who are at least 13 years old.
Quetiapine is used to treat bipolar disorder (manic depression) in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.
Quetiapine is also used together with antidepressant medications to treat major depressive disorder in adults.
Extended-release quetiapine (Seroquel XR) is for use only in adults and should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years old.
Quetiapine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about quetiapine?
Never take quetiapine in larger amounts, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. High doses or long-term use of quetiapine can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. Symptoms of this disorder include tremors or other uncontrollable muscle movements.
Quetiapine is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Quetiapine may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
Stop using quetiapine and call your doctor at once if you have the following symptoms: very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, uncontrolled muscle movements, feeling light-headed, blurred vision, eye pain, increased thirst and urination, excessive hunger, fruity breath odor, weakness, nausea and vomiting.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking quetiapine?
Quetiapine is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Quetiapine may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
To make sure you can safely take quetiapine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
liver or kidney disease;
heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, a history of heart attack or stroke;
a history of low white blood cell (WBC) counts;
a thyroid disorder;
seizures or epilepsy;
cataracts;
high cholesterol or triglycerides;
a personal or family history of diabetes; or
trouble swallowing.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
Quetiapine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using quetiapine.
Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking quetiapine, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice.
Do not give quetiapine to a child without a doctor's advice. Extended-release quetiapine (Seroquel XR) is for use only in adults and should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years old.