Side Effects of Quetiapine
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with quetiapine. However, not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the drug quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of this medication include, but are not limited to:
(Click Side Effects of Quetiapine to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
You can also read about specific side effects in the following eMedTV articles:
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
In addition, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
You should also make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
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).
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.
When and How to Take Quetiapine
General considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:
- Quetiapine comes in tablet form. It is usually taken by mouth one to three times a day. If you are taking the medication once a day, it is usually best to take it at bedtime.
- You can take the medication with or without food. If it bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
- It should be taken at the same time(s) each day to maintain even levels in your blood.
- For the drug to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Quetiapine will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose of quetiapine that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The medical condition being treated
- The severity of your condition
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be currently taking.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Drug Interactions With Quetiapine
What If I Take an Overdose of Quetiapine?
People who take too much quetiapine may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Drowsiness
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Low blood potassium (hypokalemia)
- Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- Coma
- Loss of life.
If you happen to overdose on quetiapine, seek immediate medical attention.
Quetiapine should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. The tablets should be stored in an airtight container.
Keep quetiapine and all other medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your quetiapine as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Quetiapine is manufactured by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.
Quetiapine tablets are available in the following strengths:
- Quetiapine 25 mg
- Quetiapine 50 mg
- Quetiapine 100 mg
- Quetiapine 200 mg
- Quetiapine 300 mg
- Quetiapine 400 mg.
Not all of the medications listed above are approved to treat schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. However, they are commonly used "
off-label" for the treatment of these conditions.
There is currently no generic quetiapine licensed for sale
(see Generic Seroquel).
