Quetiapine

Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic medication approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The medication cannot cure these conditions; however, it is generally successful in helping people manage their symptoms. Quetiapine is believed to work by blocking or lessening the effect of certain chemicals in the brain. Possible side effects include dry mouth, headaches, and drowsiness.

 

What Is Quetiapine?

Quetiapine fumarate (Seroquel®) is a prescription medication that is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
 

Who Makes Quetiapine?

Quetiapine is manufactured by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.
 
(Click What Is Quetiapine Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses for the drug.)
 

How Does Quetiapine Work?

Quetiapine belongs to a group of medications called atypical (or second-generation) antipsychotic medications. It is not entirely known how quetiapine works in the treatment of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. However, it is known that the medication blocks or lessens the effects of several chemicals in the brain. These chemicals (such as dopamine and serotonin) may be elevated in people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression).
 
Quetiapine is not a cure for bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. It only helps to control symptoms (see Symptoms of Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder Symptoms).
 

Effects of Quetiapine

In previous clinical studies of quetiapine for the treatment of schizophrenia, people taking the drug experienced improvement in their schizophrenia symptoms (including hallucinations and suspiciousness) when compared to those not taking the drug.
 
Previous clinical studies have also shown quetiapine to be effective in the treatment of bipolar disorder. In these studies, the drug was effective for treating episodes of mania or depression and also helped prevent symptoms of bipolar disorder from returning. For bipolar depression episodes, quetiapine reduced suicidal thinking and improved the overall quality of life. For bipolar mania episodes, it helped to decrease the manic symptoms.
 
(Quetiapine Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;