quetiapine Health Article

Generic name(s):

quetiapine

Brand name(s):

Seroquel, Seroquel XR

What is the most important information I should know about quetiapine?

Quetiapine is not for use in psychotic conditions that are related to dementia. Quetiapine has caused fatal pneumonia or heart failure in older adults with dementia-related conditions. Stop using quetiapine and call your doctor at once if you have the following symptoms: fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, uncontrolled muscle movements, symptoms that come on suddenly such as numbness or weakness, severe headache, and problems with vision, speech, or balance.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms 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 is quetiapine?

Quetiapine is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

Quetiapine is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression).

Quetiapine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking quetiapine?

Quetiapine is not for use in psychotic conditions that are related to dementia. Quetiapine has caused fatal pneumonia or heart failure in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

Before you take quetiapine, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver or kidney disease;

• heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems;

• a history of heart attack or stroke;

• a thyroid disorder;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• high cholesterol or triglycerides;

• a personal or family history of diabetes; or

• trouble swallowing.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use quetiapine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Quetiapine may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Talk to your doctor if you have any signs of hyperglycemia such as increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or weakness. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking quetiapine.

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. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether quetiapine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give quetiapine to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.