Indications

Quetiapine or Seroquel is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression). Quetiapine or Seroquel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this drug information guide.

Dosage

Take Quetiapine or Seroquel exactly as prescribed your doctor. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change/adjust your dose to ensure you get the best results from this medicine. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole.

Side Effects

The common side effects which may occur while taking Quetiapine fumarate or Seroquel are constipation, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, stomach pain/upset, tiredness, weight gain, nasal congestion, or dry mouth. If any of these problem persists, contact your doctor. Immediately contact your doctor if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, unusually fast/irregular heartbeat, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), mental/mood changes (e.g., increased anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts), difficulty swallowing, weakness, seizures or vision changes.

Drug Interactions

Before taking quetiapine, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the these 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 mental illness, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), 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).