Generic name: quetiapine [ kwe-TYE-a-peen ]
Brand names: Seroquel, Seroquel XR
Dosage forms: oral tablet (100 mg; 150 mg; 200 mg; 25 mg; 300 mg; 400 mg; 50 mg), oral tablet, extended release (150 mg; 200 mg; 300 mg; 400 mg; 50 mg)
Drug class: Atypical antipsychotics

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 22, 2023.

What is quetiapine?

Quetiapine is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children who are at least 13 years old. It is also used alone or with with divalproex or lithium to treat episodes of mania (frenzied, abnormally excited or irritated mood) or depression in patients with bipolar disorder (manic depressive disorder; a disease that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods).

In addition, quetiapine is used with other medications to prevent episodes of depression in patients with bipolar disorder.

Quetiapine extended release is also used alone to treat manic episodes in children at least 10 years old with bipolar disorder.

Quetiapine extended release is used in combination with antidepressant medications to treat major depressive disorder in adults.

Quetiapine tablets may be used as part of a treatment program to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in children and teenagers.

Quetiapine belongs to class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. It works by changing the activity of certain natural substances in the brain.

Quetiapine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to quetiapine: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

High doses or long-term use of quetiapine can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. The longer you use this medicine, the more likely you are to develop this disorder, especially if you are a woman or an older adult.

Tell your doctor right away if you have new or sudden changes in mood or behavior, including new or worse depression or anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, more active or talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Quetiapine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);

• breast swelling and tenderness, nipple discharge, impotence, missed menstrual periods;

• trouble swallowing, severe constipation;

• painful or difficult urination;

• high blood pressure, fast, slow or uneven heart rate;

• a light-headed feeling, sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache;

• blurred vision, eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights;

• a seizure, feeling unusually hot or cold;

• signs of infection - fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, bruising or bleeding;

• severe nervous system reaction - very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out;

• underactive thyroid - tiredness, depressed mood, dry skin, thinning hair, decreased sweating, weight gain, puffiness in your face, feeling more sensitive to cold temperatures;

• high blood sugar - increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor; or

• low white blood cell counts - fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough.

Common quetiapine side effects may include:

• speech problems;

• dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness;

• feeling like you might pass out;

• lack of energy;

• fast heartbeats;

• increased appetite, weight gain;

• upset stomach, vomiting, constipation;

• stomach pain, nausea;

• abnormal liver function tests, sore throat;

• stuffy nose, dry mouth; or

• difficulty moving.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use quetiapine if you are allergic to it.

People with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.

To make sure quetiapine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a nervous system reaction associated with antipsychotic medication use;

• heart disease, a heart attack or stroke;

• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low blood levels of potassium or magnesium);

• high or low blood pressure;

• low white blood cell (WBC) counts;

• abnormal thyroid tests or prolactin levels;

• an enlarged prostate, constipation or urination problems;

• a seizure;

• glaucoma or cataracts;

• diabetes (in you or a family member);

• high cholesterol or triglycerides; or

• liver disease.

Quetiapine may increase the risk of death in older adults with mental health problems related to dementia.

Taking antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause serious problems in the newborn. Tell your doctor right away if you get pregnant. Do not stop the medicine without your doctor's advice.

It may be harder for you to get pregnant while you are using quetiapine.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of quetiapine on the baby.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

How should I take quetiapine?

Take quetiapine as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

You may take quetiapine with or without food, but take it the same way each time.

Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

Your blood may need to be checked on a regular basis, and you may need other medical tests.

Your blood pressure may need to be checked often.

Do not stop using quetiapine suddenly, your condition may get worse, or you could have unpleasant symptoms (such as trouble sleeping, nausea and vomiting). Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

This medicine may cause false results on a drug-screening urine test. Tell the laboratory staff that you use quetiapine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Related/similar drugs

Trintellix, Rexulti, Vraylar, trazodone, sertraline, fluoxetine, quetiapine, lamotrigine, Lexapro, citalopram

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking quetiapine?

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how quetiapine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking quetiapine.

Warnings

People with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting quetiapine. Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts about suicide.

Quetiapine may increase the risk of death in older adults with mental health problems related to dementia.

What other drugs will affect quetiapine?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Quetiapine can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• bronchodilator asthma medication;

• cold or allergy medicine (Benadryl and others);

• medicine to treat overactive bladder;

• medicine to treat Parkinson's disease; or

• medicine to treat stomach problems, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with quetiapine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: quetiapine.
Inactive ingredients:
Tablets - Seroquel brand: povidone, dibasic dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide. The 25 mg tablets contain red and yellow ferric oxide. The 100 mg and 400 mg tablets contain only yellow ferric oxide.
Extended-release tablets - Seroquel XR brand: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium citrate, hypromellose, and magnesium stearate. The film coating for all Seroquel XR tablets contain hypromellose, polyethylene glycol 400 and titanium dioxide. In addition, yellow iron oxide (50, 200 and 300 mg tablets) and red iron oxide (50 mg tablets) are included in the film coating of specific strengths.

Manufacturer

AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Wilmington, DE 19850, USA.

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use quetiapine only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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