Quetiapine at a glance
Medicine class
Atypical or second-generation antipsychotic.
Main uses
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; some prolonged-release products also have an add-on role in major depression.
What is Quetiapine used for?
Selected UK products are licensed for:
Schizophrenia.
Moderate-to-severe manic episodes in bipolar disorder.
Major depressive episodes in bipolar disorder.
Prevention of recurrent manic or depressive episodes in people with bipolar disorder who previously responded to quetiapine.
Biquelle XL: add-on treatment for major depressive disorder when an antidepressant alone has produced a suboptimal response.
How does Quetiapine work?
Quetiapine and its active metabolite norquetiapine alter signalling at several brain receptors, particularly serotonin and dopamine receptors. Norquetiapine also affects noradrenaline transport and serotonin 5-HT1A signalling.
Quetiapine preparations and strengths
Modified-release tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg
How to take Quetiapine
Follow the instructions for your exact formulation; products are not automatically interchangeable.
Swallow prolonged-release tablets whole—do not split, chew or crush them—and take them without food as directed in the leaflet.
Standard film-coated tablets and oral suspension may be taken with or without food.
Shake oral suspension before use and measure it only with the supplied syringe or cup.
Avoid grapefruit juice. Do not stop quetiapine suddenly unless urgent medical care directs otherwise.
Quetiapine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Sleepiness, tiredness, dizziness or headache.
- Dry mouth or constipation.
- Fast heartbeat or dizziness when standing.
- Increased appetite or weight gain.
- Restlessness, shaking, stiffness or other movement symptoms.
- Changes in blood glucose, cholesterol or triglycerides.
Get urgent medical advice
- Breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling, or collapse.
- A blistering, peeling or widespread rash, particularly with fever or swollen glands.
- High temperature, severe muscle stiffness, confusion, sweating or altered consciousness.
- Fever, sore throat or marked weakness suggesting a blood-cell disorder.
- Fainting, a markedly irregular heartbeat or seizures.
- Severe constipation with abdominal pain or vomiting.
- Yellow skin or eyes, or other signs of significant liver problems.
- A prolonged painful erection or new thoughts of self-harm.
Quetiapine in pregnancy
Quetiapine can be used during pregnancy when recommended by a specialist. Do not stop it suddenly without review. Weight and blood-glucose effects may prompt assessment for gestational diabetes and closer fetal-growth monitoring. Exposure near delivery can cause temporary newborn feeding, sleeping, muscle-tone or jitteriness symptoms.
Quetiapine while breastfeeding
Oral quetiapine can be used cautiously during breastfeeding and is a preferred second-generation antipsychotic for a full-term, healthy infant when clinically appropriate. Monitor the baby for unusual sleepiness, irritability, restlessness, feeding problems, movement symptoms and inadequate weight gain. Premature or unwell infants require specialist assessment.
Quetiapine interactions
Check all prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products before starting or stopping them.
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, including HIV protease inhibitors, azole antifungals, clarithromycin, erythromycin and nefazodone
These can greatly increase quetiapine exposure and are contraindicated with the selected products.
Common questions about Quetiapine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is quetiapine fumarate the same as quetiapine?
Quetiapine fumarate is the salt used in these medicines; product information expresses the active amount as quetiapine.
Is quetiapine a sleeping tablet?
No. It is an antipsychotic licensed for specified psychiatric conditions. Sleepiness is common, but the selected products are not licensed for insomnia.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.