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Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1. To treat schizophrenia 2. To treat bipolar disorder 3. To treat depression |
| Common Side Effects | 1. Speech problems; 2. Dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness 3. Feeling like you might pass out 4. Lack of energy 5. Fast heartbeats 6. Increased appetite, weight gain 7. Upset stomach, vomiting, constipation 8. Stomach pain, nausea 9. Abnormal liver function tests, sore throat 10. Stuffy nose, dry mouth 11. Difficulty moving. |
| Additional Information | Don’t skip the medicine even if you start feeling better, and don’t stop using the medicine suddenly |
| Storage | 1. The medicine should be stored at room temperature. 2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture. 3. Keep away from the reach of children. |
| How to Take This Medicine | Swallow this medicine with water. |
Quetiapine Summary
Quetiapine is an antipsychotic medication used to treat conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. It works by rebalancing brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, helping to stabilize mood, reduce hallucinations, and manage sudden mood swings and behavior. Common side effects include drowsiness, weight gain, dry mouth, dizziness, and constipation, while more serious reactions like changes in blood sugar, cholesterol, or movement problems may also occur. Quetiapine isn’t recommended for children under 12, and if you have diabetes, heart problems, or a history of seizures, let your doctor know before starting it. Taking this medicine along with alcohol can dangerously increase drowsiness. Regular monitoring and a consistent daily routine, with or without food, are key to safe and effective use.
Quetiapine Uses
Quetiapine 25 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the category of antipsychotics and is used for the following indications:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
Quetiapine side effects
More Common
- Speech problems;
- Dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness
- Feeling like you might pass out
- Lack of energy
- Fast heartbeats
- Increased appetite, weight gain
- Upset stomach, vomiting, constipation
- Stomach pain, nausea
- Abnormal liver function tests, sore throat
- Stuffy nose, dry mouth
- Difficulty moving.
Less Common
- Uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking, or eye movement)
- Breast swelling and tenderness, nipple discharge, impotence, missed menstrual periods
- Trouble swallowing, severe constipation
- Painful or difficult urination
- High blood pressure, fast, slow, or uneven heart rate
- A light-headed feeling, sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache
- Blurred vision, eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights
- A seizure, feeling unusually hot or cold
- Signs of infection like fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, bruising, or bleeding
- Severe nervous system reaction, like very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out
- Underactive thyroid: tiredness, depressed mood, dry skin, thinning hair, decreased sweating, weight gain, puffiness in your face, and feeling more sensitive to cold temperatures.
- High blood sugar, increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor
- Low white blood cell counts, fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough.
How Quetiapine works
Quetiapine works by calming certain brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin that may become overactive in conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. Think of it like turning down loud noises in your head so you can think clearly, feel more stable, and sleep better. this medicine works in the same way and It helps control mood swings, reduce confusion, and ease anxiety without making you feel dull or low, bringing your mind back to a smoother, more balanced state.
Safety Measures and Warning
📌 Pregnancy
There are no studies saying that quetiapine harms babies in pregnancy, but there are animal studies saying that quetiapine can cause abnormalities in babies, like sleeping issues, muscle problems, breathing issues, risk of diabetes, and low birth weight. So, it is not recommended for use during pregnancy and should be used in severe cases only.
📌 Breastfeeding
Quetiapine passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop quetiapine.
📌 Psychosis-Related Dementia
Using quetiapine in patients with psychosis along with dementia is not recommended, as there is a higher risk of death, stroke, or ministroke in older adults. Quetiapine is not approved to treat dementia-related psychosis.
Quetiapine Interaction with Food Product
Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol simultaneously as it affects the drug action on the brain and causes severe drowsiness and sedation.
Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking quetiapine 25 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal
Quetiapine Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name
2-2-(4-dibenzo[b,f][1,4]thiazepin-11-yl-1-piperazinyl) ethoxy]ethanol
Intake routine/cycle
📌 Daily dose
Take quetiapine exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
📌 Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
📌 Overdose
It is not recommended to take more than 1200 mg of quetiapine per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like low blood pressure, heart problems, nerve damage, neurotoxicity, and muscle problems. If you face any of the severe side effects, meet the doctor.
Storage
- Store the medicine at room temperature.
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture.
- Keep out of reach of children.
Directions of use
- Take quetiapine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking quetiapine without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take quetiapine, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
FAQ’s
1. What is the maximum quetiapine dose per day?
➡️ It is not recommended to take more than 1200 mg of quetiapine per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like low blood pressure, heart problems, nerve damage, neurotoxicity, and muscle problems. If you face any of the severe side effects, meet the doctor.
2. How does the quetiapine act?
➡️ Quetiapine is an antipsychotic medication used to treat conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. It acts by rebalancing brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, helping to stabilize mood, reduce hallucinations, and manage sudden mood swings and behavior.
3. What are quetiapine indications?
➡️ It is used for mental health indications such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.
4. What is a quetiapine class?
➡️ Quetiapine is a medicine used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression belonging to the class of atypical antipsychotics.
Reference
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Quetiapine (oral route). Mayo Clinic. Published 2024. Available from.
- Drugs.com. Quetiapine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings. Drugs.com. Updated August 22, 2023. Available from.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. Quetiapine. PubChem Compound Summary. Updated 2024. Available from.
- WebMD. Quetiapine (Seroquel): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions. WebMD. Updated October 7, 2024. Available from.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. Quetiapine. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan. Available from.