Class Name(s):

• 28:16.08.04 Atypical Antipsychotics

Pronunciation:

• (kwe tye' a peen)

Brand Name(s):

• Seroquel^®
• Seroquel^® XR; also available generically

IMPORTANT WARNING:

Important warning for older adults with dementia:

Older adults with dementia (loss of memory and brain function) may have an increased risk of death if treated with antipsychotic medications such as quetiapine. Older adults with dementia may also have an increased risk of a stroke or ministroke during treatment with antipsychotics.

Quetiapine is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of behavior problems in older adults with dementia. Talk to the doctor who prescribed this medication if you, a family member, or someone you care for has dementia and is taking quetiapine.

Important warning for people who have depression:

Children, teenagers, and young adults who take antidepressants to treat depression or other mental illnesses have a greater risk of becoming suicidal.

This is especially of concern at the beginning of your treatment and any time that your dose is changed. You, your family, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: new or worsening depression; thinking about harming or killing yourself, or planning or trying to do so; extreme worry; agitation; panic attacks; difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; aggressive behavior; irritability; acting without thinking; severe restlessness; and frenzied abnormal excitement. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor when you are unable to seek treatment on your own.

The doctor or pharmacist will give you the Medication Guide. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You also can obtain the Medication Guide from: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking quetiapine.

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Quetiapine is used to treat schizophrenia (a mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves), bipolar disorder (a disease that causes depression, mania, and other abnormal moods) and major depressive disorder. Quetiapine is in a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. It works by changing the activity of certain natural substances in the brain.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Quetiapine comes as a tablet and as an extended-release tablet to take by mouth. Take the tablets one to three times a day with or without food. Take the extended-release tablets once a day in the evening without food or with a light meal. Take quetiapine at around the same time(s) every day.

Take quetiapine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow quetiapine extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of quetiapine and gradually increase your dose during the first week of your treatment.

If you do not take quetiapine for one week or longer, you should call your doctor before you start taking the medication again.

Quetiapine may help control your symptoms but will not cure your condition. Continue to take quetiapine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking quetiapine without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking quetiapine, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Your doctor will probably want to decrease your dose gradually.

Are there OTHER USES for this medication?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before taking quetiapine,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this drug, any part of this drug, or any other drugs, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking quetiapine. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• the following nonprescription product may interact with quetiapine: cimetidine. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking this medication before you start taking quetiapine. Do not start this medication while taking quetiapine without discussing with your healthcare provider.
• tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had diabetes or a prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death). Also tell your doctor if you have ever used street drugs or overused prescription medications. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a low number of white blood cells, are unable to completely empty your bladder, any condition that makes it difficult for you to swallow, trouble keeping your balance, seizures, cataracts, high cholesterol, high prolactin levels, an enlarged prostate, high or low blood pressure, a heart attack, a stroke, breast cancer or thyroid, heart or liver disease. Tell your doctor if you have constipation, severe vomiting, diarrhea or signs of dehydration now, or if you develop these symptoms at any time during your treatment. Also, if you have ever had to stop taking a medication for mental illness because of severe side effects, be sure to tell your doctor.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking quetiapine, call your doctor.
• you should know that this medication may decrease fertility in women. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking quetiapine.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking quetiapine.
• you should know that quetiapine may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery and take precautions to avoid falls until you know how this medication affects you.
• you should know that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication. Do not drink alcohol while taking quetiapine.
• you should know that you may experience hyperglycemia (increases in your blood sugar) while you are taking this medication, even if you do not already have diabetes. If you have schizophrenia, you are more likely to develop diabetes than people who do not have schizophrenia, and taking quetiapine or similar medications may increase this risk. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms while you are taking quetiapine: extreme thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, blurred vision, or weakness. It is very important to call your doctor as soon as you have any of these symptoms, because high blood sugar can cause a serious condition called ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis may become life-threatening if it is not treated at an early stage. Symptoms of ketoacidosis include: dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, breath that smells fruity, and decreased consciousness.
• you should know that quetiapine may make it harder for your body to cool down when it gets very hot. While you are taking quetiapine, you should avoid excessive exercise, stay inside as much as possible and dress lightly in hot weather, stay out of the sun, and drink plenty of fluids.
• you should know that quetiapine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more common when you first start taking quetiapine and when your dose is increased. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
• you should know that when quetiapine is used to treat schizophrenia or bipolar disorder in children, it should be used as part of a total treatment program which may include counseling and special education. Make sure to follow all of your doctor's and/or therapist's instructions.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.

Be sure to drink plenty of water every day while you are taking this medication.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Quetiapine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms or those listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section are severe or do not go away:

• dizziness, feeling unsteady, or having trouble keeping your balance
• pain in the joints, back, or neck
• dry mouth
• nausea, indigestion, vomiting
• constipation
• increased appetite, weight gain
• stuffy nose
• difficulty speaking or using language
• loss of coordination

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING or SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• problems with coordination, falling down
• seizures
• uncontrollable movements of your arms, legs, tongue, face, or lips
• painful erection of the penis that lasts for hours
• fluid leaking from breasts
• fever; stiff muscles; sweating; confusion; sweating; or fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• sore throat, fever, chills, difficult or painful urination, or other signs of infection
• rash, hives, blisters
• tightening of the neck muscles or the throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing

Quetiapine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Quetiapine may cause cataracts. You will need to have eye exams to check for cataracts at the beginning of your treatment and every six months during your treatment. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking quetiapine.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at http://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

• drowsiness
• fast heartbeat

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location - one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to quetiapine.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS^® Patient Medication Information™ Copyright, 2026. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: November 15, 2025.