seroquel

Seroquel (quetiapine) is an antipsychotic medicine. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

Seroquel is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children who are at least 13 years old.

Seroquel is used to treat bipolar disorder (manic depression) in adults and children who are at least 10 years old. It is also used together with antidepressant medications to treat major depressive disorder in adults.

Extended-release quetiapine (Seroquel XR) is for use only in adults and should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years old.

Important information

Never take Seroquel in larger amounts, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. High doses or long-term use can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. Symptoms of this disorder include tremors or other uncontrollable muscle movements.

Seroquel is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. It may cause heart failure, stroke, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

Stop using Seroquel and call your doctor at once if you have the following symptoms: very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, uncontrolled muscle movements, feeling light-headed, blurred vision, eye pain, increased thirst and urination, excessive hunger, fruity breath odor, weakness, nausea and vomiting.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking Seroquel. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Seroquel if you are allergic to quetiapine. Seroquel is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Quetiapine may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

To make sure Seroquel is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver or kidney disease;

• heart disease, heart rhythm problems, a history of heart attack or stroke;

• high or low blood pressure;

• a history of low white blood cell (WBC) counts;

• abnormal thyroid tests or prolactin levels;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• cataracts;

• high cholesterol or triglycerides;

• a personal or family history of diabetes; or

• trouble swallowing.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking Seroquel. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Seroquel will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Seroquel, do not stop taking it without your doctor"s advice.

Quetiapine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using this medicine.

Do not give Seroquel to a child without a doctor"s advice. Extended-release quetiapine (Seroquel XR) is for use only in adults and should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take Seroquel?

Never take Seroquel in larger amounts, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. High doses or long-term use can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. Symptoms of this disorder include tremors or other uncontrollable muscle movements.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water. You may take Seroquel with or without food.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.

Seroquel 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 this medicine.

You should not stop using Seroquel suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

Blood pressure may need to be checked often in a child or teenager taking this medicine.

This medication can cause you to have a false positive drug screening test. If you provide a urine sample for drug screening, tell the laboratory staff that you are taking Seroquel.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of quetiapine can be fatal.

What should I avoid?

Seroquel may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. You may be more prone to heat stroke.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase certain side effects of Seroquel.

Seroquel side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Seroquel: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, 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.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors;

• twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs;

• mask-like appearance of the face, trouble swallowing, problems with speech;

• breast swelling or discharge (in men or women), missed menstrual periods, impotence, loss of libido;

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

• sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, cold or flu symptoms, cough, sore throat, red or swollen gums, painful mouth sores, skin sores, trouble breathing.

Common Seroquel side effects may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, loss of energy, tired feeling;

• increased appetite, weight gain;

• dry mouth; or

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or discomfort, constipation.

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.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Seroquel?

Taking Seroquel with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking Seroquel with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Many drugs can interact with quetiapine. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment, especially:

• lumefantrine, metoclopramide, mifepristone;

• a dye that is injected into your veins for an x-ray or CT scan;

• cancer medicine--arsenic trioxide, bexarotene, nilotinib, toremifene, vandetanib, vemurafenib; heart rhythm medicine--amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, flecainide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol; HIV/AIDS medication--ritonavir, saquinavir; medicine to treat mental illness--iloperidone, pimozide, thioridazine, ziprasidone.

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with quetiapine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.