Browse our comprehensive range of pharmaceutical products.
What is Quetiapine used for?
This medicine treats schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic, depressive, mixed episodes). It also deals with major depressive disorder. It is efficient in managing negative or positive psychotic symptoms, mood disorders, etc. As off-label use, it is taken for PTSD, anxiety, and insomnia under medical supervision. In elderly, it can treat dementia linked psychosis.
How does Quetiapine work?
As an atypical antipsychotic, Quetiapine antagonizes dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. It properly balances mesolimbic/mesocortical pathways. As a result, the medicine reduces hallucinations and delusions. It also reduces extrapyramidal effects. It may block histamine H1, alpha-adrenergic, and modulates norepinephrine reuptake for sedation and stabilizing mood.
What are the Quetiapine ingredients and available forms?
The active ingredient is quetiapine fumarate, while the inactive ones are povidone, sodium starch glycolate, and microcrystalline cellulose. This medicine is available as 25mg to 400mg immediate-release tablets or 50mg to 400mg of extended-release tablets. It is taken once daily in case of maintaining bipolar disorder or depression. It is taken orally with water.
How long does Quetiapine take to act?
It may take one to two hours for sedative effects to begin, while it may consume 1 to 2 weeks to deal with antipsychotic effects. However, for complete efficacy it may take 4 to 6 weeks. You can expect some benefit over bipolar disorder and mood problems in 3 to 4 weeks of taking regular doses.
How long does the treatment with Quetiapine last?
The treatment with this medicine can go for 6 to 8 weeks. However, maintenance doses can go on for a longer time, especially to prevent bipolar or schizophrenia relapse. To avoid withdrawal, taper the dose as per doctor’s advice. For depression, it can take over 6 months for post-remession.
What are the Quetiapine benefits?
Some of the benefits of Quetiapine are control over the symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia without leading to high EPS risk. It also improves health linked to depressive episodes. It also reduces mania. It may lower prolactin, improve sleep, and work better than many other antipsychotics. It can be taken for maintenance in people who respond well to this treatment, and wish to prevent a relapse.
What is the Quetiapine dosage and administration?
The initial dose for bipolar disorder or schizophrenia is 25mg and can go up to 300-800mg daily. 50mg is for bipolar mania, increasing to 800mg per day. For depression the dose can start at 50mg to 300mg, taken in the evening.
What are the Quetiapine side effects?
The common side effects are drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, weight gain, constipation, and orthostasis. Some rare but serious effects are metabolic syndrome (diabetes, dyslipidemia), QT prolongation, tardive dyskinesia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, increased mortality in elderly dementia. When taking this medicine, make sure to keep a check on the glucose and lipid levels.
What are precautions and contraindications of Quetiapine?
This medicine is a contraindication for those allergic to the medicine’s ingredients. hypersensitivity. Take caution when used in elderly people who have sedation and fall risk. It is also taken during pregnancy if only advised and then tapered in dose to prevent withdrawal symptoms in the baby. Do not stop the medicine immediately. This medicine is not for those with dementia psychosis. Also, monitor levels for lipids, your weight, and WBC levels in a timely manner when taking this medicine.