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Seroquel, |quetiapine

quetiapine

Generic Name: quetiapine (kwe TYE a peen)
Brand Names: Seroquel

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 is the most important information I should know about quetiapine?

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by quetiapine.

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

Before taking quetiapine, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;

• 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.

How should I take quetiapine?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

It is important to take quetiapine regularly to get the most benefit.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking quetiapine?

Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by quetiapine.

Quetiapine side effects

• fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats;

• jerky muscle movements you cannot control;

• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

• increased thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, or weakness;

• thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;

• feeling light-headed, fainting; or

• urinating less than usual or not at all.

Continue taking quetiapine and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• dizziness, drowsiness, or weakness;

• dry mouth, runny nose, sore throat;

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation;

• blurred vision, headache, anxiety, agitation;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• breast swelling or discharge;

• missed menstrual periods; or

• weight gain.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect quetiapine?

Before taking quetiapine, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• cimetidine (Tagamet);

• lorazepam (Ativan);

• rifabutin (Mycobutin) or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);

• steroids (prednisone and others);

• thioridazine (Mellaril);

• an antibiotic such as erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S, Ery-Tab), fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox);

• medicine for depression or mentail illness, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Torfanil), or risperidone (Risperdal);

• a medication to treat high blood pressure or a heart condition; or

• seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), divalproex (Depakote), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), phenytoin (Dilantin), or valproate (Depakene).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use quetiapine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect quetiapine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about quetiapine written for health professionals that you may read.

What do my pills look like?

Quetiapine is available with a prescription under the brand name Seroquel. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Seroquel 25 mg--round, peach-colored tablets

• Seroquel 100 mg--round, yellow tablets

• Seroquel 200 mg--round, white tablets

• Seroquel 300 mg--white, capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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