What Is Quetiapine Used For? (Cont.)

Quetiapine Uses for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a serious brain disease that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, and functioning. Currently, it is thought that bipolar disorder may be at least partially genetic (see Bipolar Causes). Bipolar disorder is different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through -- the symptoms of bipolar disorder are more severe. Episodes of mania and depression typically recur throughout the affected person's lifespan. Between episodes, most people with bipolar disorder are free of symptoms (see Bipolar Disorder Symptoms). Effective bipolar disorder treatment usually involves a combination of psychotherapy (see Bipolar Psychosocial Treatments) and bipolar medications.
 
Quetiapine is approved to treat bipolar depression or manic episodes. It is also approved to be used along with lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®) or divalproex (Depakote®, Depakote® ER) for "maintenance" treatment of bipolar disorder (ongoing treatment to help reduce or prevent bipolar symptoms or relapses).
 

Is Quetiapine Used for Children?

Quetiapine has not been approved for treating bipolar disorder in children or for treating childhood schizophrenia. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of using this drug in children.
 

Is Quetiapine Used for Off-Label Reasons?

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend quetiapine for something other than the conditions discussed in this article. This is called an "off-label" use. Examples of off-label quetiapine uses include the treatment of:
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;