Seroquel
Seroquel contains quetiapine, which is a medicine called an antipsychotic. It is used to treat mood disorders like depression and mania, and schizophrenia.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
300 mg
Active Ingredient
Quetiapine fumarate
Manufacturer
Cheplapharm Arzneimittel GmbH
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your dose. The usual dose is between 150 mg and 800 mg per day.
Method
Take the tablets whole with water, with or without food. They are usually taken once a day at bedtime or twice a day.
Important
The maximum daily dose is usually 800 mg.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Dizziness (can lead to falls), headache, dry mouth
- •Drowsiness (this may disappear with continued use of tablets, can lead to falls)
- •Withdrawal symptoms from stopping treatment, such as insomnia, nausea, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, and irritability. Gradual discontinuation over 1-2 weeks is recommended.
- •Weight gain
- •Abnormal muscle movements (difficulty starting movements, shaking, restlessness, or stiffness without pain)
- •Changes in certain fat levels (triglycerides and total cholesterol)
- •Rapid pulse
- •Palpitations, pounding or racing heart
- •Constipation, indigestion
- •Weakness
- •Swelling of arms or legs
- •Low blood pressure, especially when standing up (can cause dizziness or fainting leading to falls)
- •High blood sugar
- •Vision problems
- •Abnormal dreams and nightmares
- •Increased appetite
- •Irritability
- •Speech and language problems
- •Thoughts of self-harm and worsening depression
- •Shortness of breath
- •Vomiting (mainly in the elderly)
- •Fever
- •Changes in blood thyroid hormone levels
- •Decrease in certain types of white blood cells
- •Increase in liver enzymes measured from blood
- •Increased prolactin hormone levels in the blood, which can rarely lead to breast swelling in men and women, unexpected milk production, or missed/irregular periods in women.
- •Nasal congestion
RARE
- •Seizures or convulsions
- •Allergic reactions, such as hives and swelling of the skin and around the mouth
- •Unpleasant feeling in the legs (restless legs syndrome)
- •Difficulty swallowing
- •Uncontrolled movements, especially of the face or tongue
- •Sexual dysfunction
- •Diabetes
- •Changes in the heart's electrical activity seen on an ECG (QT prolongation)
- •Slower than normal heart rate, especially at the start of treatment, which may be associated with low blood pressure and fainting
- •Difficulty urinating
- •Fainting (can lead to falls)
- •Decrease in red blood cell count
- •Decrease in blood sodium levels
- •Worsening of diabetes
- •Confusion
- •Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: a combination of high fever, sweating, muscle stiffness, significant drowsiness or weakness.
- •Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- •Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
- •Prolonged and painful erection (priapism)
- •Breast swelling and unexpected milk production (galactorrhea)
- •Menstrual disorders
- •Blood clots in veins, especially in the legs (symptoms include swelling, pain, and redness in the legs), which can travel to the lungs, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. Seek immediate medical help if you experience these symptoms.
- •Sleepwalking, sleep-talking, sleep-eating, or other sleep-related activities
- •Decrease in body temperature (hypothermia)
- •Pancreatitis
- •Metabolic syndrome: a combination of at least three of the following: central obesity, decreased 'good' cholesterol (HDL), increased triglycerides, high blood pressure, and increased blood sugar levels.
- •Agranulocytosis: a combination of fever, flu-like symptoms, sore throat or other infection, and a very low white blood cell count.
- •Bowel obstruction
- •Increased levels of creatine phosphokinase (a substance found in muscles) in the blood.
- •Severe rash, blisters, or red patches on the skin
- •Severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock), which may cause breathing difficulties or shock.
- •Sudden swelling of the skin, usually around the eyes, lips, or throat (angioedema)
- •Severe blistering on the skin, mouth, eyes, or genital areas (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome)
- •Abnormal secretion of hormone regulating urine volume
- •Muscle fiber damage and muscle pain (rhabdomyolysis)
- •Stroke
- •Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy)
- •Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
- •Inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis), often with red or purple spotted rash.
Important Warnings
- Do not take Seroquel if you are allergic to quetiapine or any other ingredients in the medicine.
- Do not take Seroquel if you are taking certain HIV medicines, azole antifungal medicines, erythromycin or clarithromycin (antibiotics), or nefazodone (an antidepressant).
- This medicine can make you feel sleepy. Do not drive or use machines until you know how it affects you.
- Do not drink grapefruit juice while taking Seroquel, as it can affect how the medicine works.
- Be careful with alcohol, as it can increase drowsiness.
Show 7 more warnings
- Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly, as it can cause withdrawal symptoms. Always talk to your doctor before stopping.
- If you are elderly and have dementia, Seroquel should not be used as it may increase the risk of stroke or death.
- This medicine can rarely cause severe skin reactions, such as blistering or peeling skin. Stop use and contact a doctor immediately if you develop such symptoms.
- Seroquel can cause weight gain. Your doctor should monitor your weight regularly.
- Seroquel should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
- If you have thoughts of self-harm or your depression worsens, especially at the start of treatment or if you are under 25, contact your doctor immediately. Talking to your doctor or a family member can help.
- Using Seroquel with antidepressants can cause serotonin syndrome. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience fever, confusion, sweating, or muscle twitching.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category D
Avoid use in older adults. Anticholinergic. Sedative. For treatment of psychosis only. Inappropriate as a hypnotic. Increases the risk of cardiovascular events, QT prolongation and orthostatic hypotension. Increases risk of falls, extrapyramidal symptoms and cognitive impairment. Reduces the effectiveness of drugs for Alzheimer’s disease. Avoid grapefruit. (updated 15.1.2024)