1. Quetiapine oral tablets are available as brand-name drugs and as generic drugs. Brand names: Seroquel and Seroquel XR.
  2. Quetiapine comes in two forms: immediate-release oral tablet and extended-release oral tablet. The immediate-release version is released into the bloodstream right away. The extended-release version is slowly released into your bloodstream over time.
  3. Both forms of quetiapine tablets are used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The extended-release tablet is also used to treat major depression in combination with antidepressants.

Quetiapine is a prescription drug. It comes in the form of a tablet you take by mouth. There are two versions of the tablet. The immediate-release version is released into the bloodstream right away. The extended-release version is slowly released into your bloodstream over time.

Quetiapine is available as the brand-name drugs Seroquel (immediate-release tablet) and Seroquel XR (extended-release tablet). Both forms are also available as generic drugs. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name drug.

Quetiapine may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.

Why it’s used

Quetiapine oral tablet is used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression.

Quetiapine can be used to treat symptoms in adults who have depressive episodes or manic episodes caused by bipolar I disorder. For these cases, it can be used alone or with the drugs lithium or divalproex. It can also be used with lithium or divalproex for long-term treatment of bipolar I disorder. Quetiapine can be used in children ages 10–17 years to treat manic episodes caused by bipolar I disorder.

For major depression, quetiapine is used as an add-on treatment for people already taking antidepressant drugs. It’s used when your doctor decides that one antidepressant alone is not enough to treat your depression.

How it works

Quetiapine belongs to a class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

It isn’t known exactly how this drug works. However, it’s thought that it helps regulate the amount of certain chemicals (dopamine and serotonin) in your brain to control your condition.

Quetiapine oral tablet may cause drowsiness. It can also cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The side effects for this drug vary slightly based on the drug form.

The more common side effects of the immediate-release tablets can include:

The more common side effects of the extended-release tablets can include:

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

  • Suicidal thoughts or actions
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Symptoms can include:
    • high fever
    • excessive sweating
    • rigid muscles
    • confusion
    • changes in your breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure
  • Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Symptoms can include:
    • extreme thirst
    • frequent urination
    • severe hunger
    • weakness or tiredness
    • upset stomach
    • confusion
    • fruity-smelling breath
  • Increased cholesterol and triglycerides (high fat levels in your blood)
  • Weight gain
  • Tardive dyskinesia. Symptoms can include:
    • movements you can’t control in your face, tongue, or other body parts
  • Orthostatic hypotension (decreased blood pressure when rising too quickly after sitting or lying down). Symptoms can include:
    • lightheadedness
    • fainting
    • dizziness
  • Increases in blood pressure in children and teenagers
  • Low white blood cell count. Symptoms can include:
    • fever
    • infection
  • Cataracts. Symptoms can include:
    • clouding of the lens of your eye
    • blurry vision
    • loss of vision
  • Seizures
  • Abnormal thyroid levels (shown in tests your doctor can do)
  • Increases in blood prolactin levels. Symptoms can include:
    • breast enlargement (in men and women)
    • milky discharge from nipple of the breast (in women)
    • erectile dysfunction
    • absence of menstrual period
  • Increased body temperature
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Risk of death from stroke in seniors with dementia

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Quetiapine oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with quetiapine are listed below.

Drugs you should not use with quetiapine

Do not take these drugs with quetiapine. Doing so can cause heart rhythm problems that could cause sudden death. Examples of these drugs include:

  • Anti-arrhythmic drugs such as quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone or sotalol
  • Antipsychotic drugs such as ziprasidone, chlorpromazine, or thioridazine
  • Antibiotics such as gatifloxacin or moxifloxacin
  • Pentamidine
  • Methadone

Interactions that increase your risk of side effects

  • Increased side effects from other drugs: Taking quetiapine with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from those drugs. Examples of these drugs include:
    • Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, chlordiazepoxide or lorazepam. You may have increased drowsiness.
    • Muscle relaxants such as baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, tizanidine, carisoprodol, or metaxalone. You may have increased drowsiness.
    • Pain medications such as morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, hydrocodone, tramadol, or codeine. You may have increased drowsiness.
    • Antihistamines such as hydroxyzine, diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, or brompheniramine. You may have increased drowsiness.
    • Sedative/hypnotics such as zolpidem or eszopiclone. You may have increased drowsiness.
    • Barbiturates such as phenobarbital. You may have increased drowsiness.
    • Antihypertensives such as amlodipine, lisinopril, losartan, or metoprolol. Your blood pressure may be lowered even more.
  • Increased side effects from quetiapine: Taking quetiapine with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from quetiapine. This is because the amount of quetiapine in your body may be increased. If you take these drugs with quetiapine, your doctor may decrease your quetiapine dosage. Examples of these drugs include:
    • Antifungal drugs, such as ketoconazole or itraconazole
    • HIV drugs such as indinavir or ritonavir
    • Antidepressants such as nefazodone or fluoxetine

Using quetiapine with anticholinergic drugs may increase the risk of gastrointestinal problems.

Interactions that can make your drugs less effective

  • When quetiapine is less effective: When quetiapine is used with certain drugs, it may not work as well to treat your condition. This is because the amount of quetiapine in your body may be decreased. If you take these drugs with quetiapine, your doctor may increase your quetiapine dosage. Examples of these drugs include:
    • Anticonvulsants such as phenytoin or carbamazepine
    • Rifampin
    • St. John’s wort
  • When other drugs are less effective: When certain drugs are used with quetiapine, they may not work as well. Examples of these drugs include:
    • Parkinson’s disease medications such as levodopa, pramipexole, or ropinirole. Quetiapine may block the effects of your Parkinson’s medications. This may cause an increase in your symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

This drug comes with several warnings.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) warning

NMS is a rare but very serious condition that can occur in people who take antipsychotic drugs such as quetiapine. NMS can cause death and must be treated in a hospital. Symptoms can include high fever, excessive sweating, rigid muscles, confusion, or changes in breathing, heartbeat, or blood pressure. If you become very ill with these symptoms, call 911 right away.

Metabolic changes warning

Quetiapine can cause changes in the way your body functions. You may have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), increased cholesterol and triglycerides (fats in the blood), or weight gain. High blood sugar can occur in people with or without diabetes. Symptoms can include feeling very thirsty or hungry, needing to urinate more than usual, feeling weak or tired, or having fruity-smelling breath. Your doctor will monitor you for these metabolic changes.

Tardive dyskinesia warning

Quetiapine can cause tardive dyskinesia. This is a serious condition that causes movements of the face, tongue, or other body parts that you can’t control. Tardive dyskinesia may not go away even if you stop taking quetiapine. It may also start after you stop taking this drug.

Anticholinergic effects

Taking quetiapine with other anticholinergic drugs may increase your risks of anticholinergic effects that may cause serious injuries. Symptoms may include severe constipation or stomach pain, inability to empty your bladder (urinary retention), blurred vision, drowsiness, delirium, confusion, and falls. Your risks may be increased if you are over 65 and have a history of these side effects. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away.

Allergy warning

Quetiapine can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

  • trouble breathing
  • swelling of your throat or tongue

If you develop these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Alcohol interaction warning

Quetiapine can cause drowsiness. The use of drinks that contain alcohol raises your risk of this side effect. If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with diabetes or high blood sugar: Quetiapine may increase your blood sugar levels, which can worsen your condition. Extremely high blood sugar may lead to coma or death. If you have diabetes or risk factors of diabetes, talk with your doctor. They should check your blood sugar before and during treatment with quetiapine.

For people with hyperlipidemia (high fat levels in the blood): Quetiapine may further increase the levels of fat (cholesterol and triglycerides) in your blood. High fat levels raise your risk of heart attack and stroke. These high levels typically don’t cause symptoms. Therefore, your doctor may check your blood cholesterol and triglycerides during treatment with quetiapine.

For people with low or high blood pressure: Quetiapine may worsen your high or low blood pressure. It may also increase blood pressure in children and teenagers. Your doctor should monitor your blood pressure while you take quetiapine.

For people with a low white blood cell count: Quetiapine may lower your low white blood cell count even more. Your doctor should monitor your white blood cell count often during your first few months of treatment. This can help make sure that quetiapine is not decreasing your white blood cell count.

For people with cataracts: Quetiapine may worsen your cataracts. Your doctor will monitor you for changes in your cataracts. They will examine your eyes when you start treatment and every 6 months during treatment.

For people with seizures: Seizures have occurred in patients with or without epilepsy while taking quetiapine. Quetiapine may make it harder to control seizures in people with epilepsy. Your doctor should monitor you for an increase in seizures while taking this drug.

For people with hypothyroidism (low thyroid level): Quetiapine may lower thyroid hormone levels and worsen your existing condition. Your doctor should monitor your blood thyroid hormone levels before and during treatment with this drug.

For people with heart problems: Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you. This drug increases the risk of abnormal heart rhythms.

For people with liver problems: Quetiapine is mainly broken down in the body by the liver. As a result, people with liver problems may have increased blood levels of this drug. This raises the risk of side effects from this drug.

For people with severe constipation: Quetiapine can cause constipation and increase your risk of gastrointestinal problems including bowel block. This has been deadly in people taking this drug with other drugs that slow movement through your gastrointestinal tract. If you have questions, talk with your doctor. Using quetiapine with anticholinergic drugs may increase the risk of gastrointestinal problems.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: Quetiapine is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:

  1. Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
  2. There haven’t been enough studies done in humans to be certain how the drug might affect the fetus.

Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.

For women who are breastfeeding: Quetiapine may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.

For seniors: The kidneys and livers of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, a higher amount of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.

For children:

  • Schizophrenia
    • Episodes: This medication hasn’t been studied in children for this purpose. It shouldn’t be used in children younger than 13 years.
  • Bipolar I mania
    • Episodes: This medication hasn’t been studied in children for this purpose. It shouldn’t be used in children younger than 10 years.
  • Bipolar disorder, depressive episodes: This medication hasn’t been studied in children for this purpose. It shouldn’t be used in children younger than 18 years.
  • Major depressive disorder treated with antidepressants: This medication hasn’t been studied in children for this purpose. It shouldn’t be used in children younger than 18 years.

All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

  • your age
  • the condition being treated
  • the severity of your condition
  • other medical conditions you have
  • how you react to the first dose

Drug forms and strengths

Generic: Quetiapine

  • Form: immediate-release oral tablet
  • Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg
  • Form: extended-release oral tablet
  • Strengths: 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg

Brand: Seroquel

  • Form: immediate-release oral tablet
  • Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg

Brand: Seroquel XR

  • Form: extended-release oral tablet
  • Strengths: 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg

Dosage for schizophrenia

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

Immediate-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Day 1: 25 mg twice daily.
    • Days 2 and 3: Your doctor will increase your dose by 25–50 mg. The total dosage should be taken two or three times daily.
    • Day 4: 300–400 mg daily, taken in 2 or 3 divided doses.
  • Dosage increases:
    • Your doctor may further increase your dosage not more often than every two days. The increase would be 25–50 mg added to your previous dosage. The total dosage would be taken twice daily.
    • The recommended dosage range is 150–750 mg per day.
  • Maintenance dosage: Your doctor may keep you on this medication to help control symptoms on an ongoing basis. The dosage range for maintenance use is 400–800 mg per day, taken in 2 or 3 divided doses.
  • Maximum dosage: 800 mg per day, taken in 2 or 3 divided doses.

Extended-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage: 300 mg once per day.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may increase your dosage every day by no more than 300 mg once per day. The recommended dosage range is 400–800 mg once per day.
  • Maximum dosage: 800 mg per day.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Your doctor may start you at a dosage of 50 mg daily. They may later increase it, adding 50 mg to your daily dose. The dosage may be increased at a slower rate, and a lower total daily dose may be used to lessen the risk of side effects.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

SCHIZOPHRENIA EPISODES

Child dosage (ages 13–17 years)

Immediate-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Day 1: 25 mg twice daily.
    • Day 2: 100 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 3: 200 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 4: 300 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 5: 400 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may further increase your child’s dosage by no more than 100 mg per day. The recommended dosage range is 400–800 mg per day, taken in 2 or 3 divided doses.
  • Maximum dosage: 800 mg per day, taken in 2 or 3 divided doses.

Extended-release tablets

Typical starting dosage:

  • Day 1: 50 mg once daily.
  • Day 2: 100 mg once daily.
  • Day 3: 200 mg once daily.
  • Day 4: 300 mg once daily.
  • Day 5: 400 mg once daily.

Child dosage (ages 0–12 years)

It has not been confirmed that quetiapine is safe and effective to use for this purpose in children younger than 13 years.

SCHIZOPHRENIA MAINTENANCE

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This medication has not been studied in children to use for this purpose. It should not be used in children younger than 18 years.

Dosage for bipolar I disorder (manic or mixed episodes)

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

Immediate-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Day 1: 100 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 2: 200 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 3: 300 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 4: 400 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may further increase your dosage by no more than 200 mg per day.
  • Maintenance dosage: Your doctor may keep you on this medication to help control symptoms on an ongoing basis. The dosage range for maintenance use is 400–800 mg per day, taken in 2 or 3 divided doses.
  • Maximum dosage: 800 mg per day, taken in 2 or 3 divided doses.

Extended-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Day 1: 300 mg once per day.
    • Day 2: 600 mg once per day.
    • Day 3: 400–800 mg once per day.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may change your dosage within the recommended range of 400–800 mg once per day.
  • Maximum dosage: 800 mg once per day.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Your doctor may start you at a dosage of 50 mg daily. They may later increase it, adding 50 mg to your daily dose. The dosage may be increased at a slower rate, and a lower total daily dose may be used to lessen the risk of side effects.

Child dosage (ages 10–17 years)

Immediate-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Day 1: 25 mg twice daily.
    • Day 2: 100 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 3: 200 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 4: 300 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 5: 400 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may further increase your dose by no more than 100 mg per day. The recommended dosage range is 400–600 mg per day taken in divided doses up to three times daily.
  • Maximum dosage: 600 mg per day in 2 or 3 divided doses.

Extended-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Day 1: 50 mg once per day.
    • Day 2: 100 mg once per day.
    • Day 3: 200 mg once per day.
    • Day 4: 300 mg once per day.
    • Day 5: 400 mg once per day.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may change your dose, within the recommended dosage range of 400–600 mg once per day.
  • Maximum dosage: 600 mg once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–9 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that quetiapine is safe and effective to use for this purpose in children younger than 10 years.

Dosage for bipolar I disorder (maintenance)

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that quetiapine is safe and effective to use for this purpose in children younger than 18 years.

Dosage for bipolar disorder (depressive episodes)

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

Immediate-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Day 1: 50 mg daily, taken at bedtime.
    • Day 2: 100 mg daily, taken at bedtime.
    • Day 3: 200 mg daily, taken at bedtime.
    • Day 4: 300 mg daily, taken at bedtime.
  • Maximum dosage: 300 mg daily, taken at bedtime.

Extended-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Day 1: 50 mg once daily at bedtime.
    • Day 2: 100 mg once daily at bedtime.
    • Day 3: 200 mg once daily at bedtime.
    • Day 4: 300 mg once daily at bedtime.
  • Maximum dosage: 300 mg once daily at bedtime.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Your doctor may start you at a dosage of 50 mg daily. They may later increase it, adding 50 mg to your daily dose. The dosage may be increased at a slower rate, and a lower total daily dose may be used to lessen the risk of side effects.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that quetiapine is safe and effective to use for this purpose in children younger than 18 years.

Dosage for major depression in people already taking antidepressants

Extended-release tablets

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Days 1 and 2: 50 mg once daily.
    • Day 3: 150 mg once daily.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may change your dosage, within the recommended range of 150–300 mg once per day.
  • Maximum dosage: 300 mg once daily.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Your doctor may start you at a dosage of 50 mg daily. They may later increase it, adding 50 mg to your daily dose. The dosage may be increased at a slower rate, and a lower total daily dose may be used to lessen the risk of side effects.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that quetiapine is safe and effective to use for this purpose in children younger than 18 years.

Special dosage considerations

  • For people with liver disease: Your doctor should start your dosage at 25 mg daily. This dosage may be increased by 25–50 mg daily.
  • Use with drugs called CYP3A4 inhibitors: Quetiapine dosage should be decreased to one-sixth of the original dosage when given with certain drugs called CYP3A4 inhibitors. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking a CYP3A4 inhibitor. Examples of these drugs include ketoconazole, itraconazole, indinavir, ritonavir, or nefazodone. When the CYP3A4 inhibitor is stopped, the dose of quetiapine should be increased by 6 times the previous dose.
  • Use with drugs called CYP3A4 inducers: Quetiapine dose should be increased by five times the original dose when given with certain drugs called CYP3A4 inducers. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking a CYP3A4 inducer. Examples of these drugs include phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin, or St. John’s wort. When the CYP3A4 inducer is stopped, the dose of quetiapine should be reduced to the original dose within 7–14 days.

Dosage warnings

If you have stopped quetiapine for more than one week, you’ll need to be restarted at a lower dosage. The dosage will then need to be increased according to the dosage schedule from when you first started the medication.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Quetiapine oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don’t take it at all: Your condition may get worse. If you stop taking quetiapine suddenly, you may also have trouble sleeping or trouble staying asleep, or have nausea or vomiting.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:

  • drowsiness
  • sleepiness
  • fast heartbeat (palpitations)
  • dizziness
  • fainting

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222 or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: Your behavior or mood should improve.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes quetiapine for you.

General

  • You can take the immediate-release tablet with or without food. You should take the extended-release tablet without food or with a light meal (about 300 calories).
  • Take this drug at the time(s) recommended by your doctor.
  • You can cut or crush quetiapine immediate-release tablets. However, you can’t cut or crush quetiapine extended-release tablets.

Storage

  • Store quetiapine at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C).
  • Keep this drug away from light.
  • Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

  • Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
  • Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t harm your medication.
  • You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
  • Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Self-management

Quetiapine can make your body less able to manage your temperature. This can cause your temperature to increase too much, leading to a condition called hyperthermia. Symptoms can include hot skin, excessive sweating, fast heartbeat, rapid breathing, and even seizures. To help prevent this, do the following during your treatment with this drug:

  • Avoid getting overheated or dehydrated. Don’t over-exercise.
  • During hot weather, stay inside in a cool place if possible.
  • Stay out of the sun. Don’t wear heavy clothing.
  • Drink plenty of water.

Clinical monitoring

You and your doctor should monitor certain health issues. This can help make sure you stay safe while taking this drug. These issues include:

  • Blood sugar. Quetiapine may raise your blood sugar level. Your doctor may monitor your blood sugar from time to time, especially if you have diabetes or are at risk of diabetes.
  • Cholesterol. Quetiapine may increase the levels of fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) in your blood. You may not have symptoms, so your doctor may check your blood cholesterol and triglycerides at the start of treatment and during treatment with quetiapine.
  • Weight. Weight gain is common in people who take quetiapine. You and your doctor should check your weight regularly.
  • Mental health and behavioral problems. You and your doctor should watch for any unusual changes in your behavior and mood. This drug can cause new mental health and behavior problems, or worsen problems you already have.
  • Thyroid hormone levels. Quetiapine can decrease your thyroid hormone levels. Your doctor should monitor your thyroid hormone levels before starting treatment and throughout treatment with quetiapine.

Hidden costs

You may need to have blood tests from time to time to check your blood sugar and cholesterol levels. The cost of these tests will depend on your insurance coverage.

Prior authorization

Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug. This means your doctor will need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.