Seroquel (quetiapine) is an antipsychotic medication used in a variety of mental disorders. At very low dosage it is sometimes used as a sleeping aid. It is typically prescribed in patients 13 years of age and up, though it should be used with caution in elderly patients.

Seroquel comes in tablets which are usually taken two or three times per day. It is also available in extended release tablets which are taken just once per day. In some parts of the world Seroquel is known by the brand name Tenprolide.

Seroquel Uses & Administration

Seroquel is used in a range of mental and mood disorders, both alone and with other medications. It is most commonly used to alleviate symptoms of:

• Depression, Major Depressive Disorder
• Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder
• Paranoid Disorder
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Tourette's Syndrome
• Insomnia

Dosage and duration of treatment can vary considerably depending on a number of personal variables, most significant among them being age, other medical conditions that may be present, and other medications being taken. Treatment typically starts at lower doses and is quickly increased to maintenance doses. In otherwise healthy adults treatment is usually as follows:

• On day 1, take 25 mg twice per day for a total of 50 mg.
• On day 2, take 50 mg twice per day for a total of 100 mg.
• On day 3, take 100 mg twice per day for a total of 200 mg.
• On day 4, take 200 mg twice per day for a total of 400 mg.
• 400 mg per day is sufficient for most patients. If it is not sufficient, dosage may be further increased in increments of 100 mg per day up to a total of 800 mg per day.
• Do not exceed 800 mg per day.
• As a sleeping aid the standard dose is 25-50 mg shortly before bed.
• Tablets may be taken with or without food. Taking on a full stomach may reduce nausea.
• Tablets should not be split, crushed, chewed, dissolved, or otherwise damaged; this can cause the medication to be absorbed too quickly and may produce serious side effects. Patients unable to swallow whole tablets should discuss solutions with a doctor or pharmacist.
• Treatment with Seroquel should not stop abruptly; if ending treatment or switching to a different medication, dosage should be gradually tapered off to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Some patients notice a difference just days after starting treatment, but it takes a few weeks for full benefits to be seen. Treatment may continue for as long as it provides benefit. Regular doctor checkups are advisable for the duration of treatment to monitor for developing side effects.

Precautions Before Use

Seroquel is a potent medication and, particularly when taken at higher doses, does carry risk of side effects---some of which can be serious. Patients with certain preexisting conditions are at greater risk of adverse reactions; it should be used with caution if there is any history of:

• Liver or kidney impairment
• Any heart problems
• High or low blood pressure
• Seizures
• Diabetes/high blood sugar
• Cataracts

Seroquel should be used with extreme caution in the elderly, and should not be used in elderly patients with dementia or Alzheimer's.

Like all antipsychotic medications, a small percentage of younger patients taking Seroquel may find an increase in suicidal or other destructive thoughts. This side effect is most prominent in patients under 25 years of age and, if it is experienced at all, usually happens in the first few weeks of treatment. Patients under 25 who have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts should be monitored closely during the first few weeks of taking this medication.

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Seroquel XR (quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication used in patients aged 10 and up to alleviate symptoms in a range of mental disorders, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Parkinson's disease psychosis
• Schizophrenia
• Paranoid Disorder
• Auditory hallucinations
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Tourette's Syndrome
• Insomnia

The XR in Seroquel XR stands for extended release. This product differs from regular Seroquel tablets in that Seroquel XR is taken just once a day, while regular tablets are taken two or three times per day.

Seroquel XR also stands out from many other antipsychotic treatments in being an atypical antipsychotic. Compared to typical antipsychotics, atypical antipsychotics are less likely to produce certain movement-related side effects, such as muscle rigidity or muscle spasms. Atypical antipsychotics are also less likely to cause constipation.

Taking Seroquel XR

This medication comes in tablets, which should not be split, crushed, dissolved or otherwise damaged; doing so will destroy the tablet's extended-release properties and allow the medication to be quickly absorbed into the body, which can produce dangerous side effects.

In nearly all cases treatment begins at lower doses, increased to standard maintenance doses over days or weeks. The exception is using Seroquel XR as a sleeping aid, in which case treatment starts at and continues to be 25 to 50 mg per day. In other cases treatment with Seroquel XR usually consists of:

• Start with 50 mg once per day. Adults with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are sometimes started on 300 mg per day.
• Depending on doctor instruction, patients may be kept on starter doses for several days or weeks to see if any improvement is seen or concerning side effects occur; dosage increases may be small, 50 to 100 mg at a time, again waiting days or weeks to evaluate results. In other cases dosage may be increased daily by 100 to 300 mg per day, up to a maximum dose of 800 mg per day.
• 400 mg per day is sufficient for most patients. 300 mg and 600 mg daily doses are also common.
• Do not exceed 800 mg in a 24-hour period.
• Tablets may be taken with or without food. Taking on a full stomach may reduce nausea.
• Treatment with Seroquel XR should not stop abruptly; if ending treatment or switching to a different medication, dosage should be gradually tapered off to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Again there are many factors that may influence dosage; patient age, other medications being taken, other medical conditions that may be present, and other variables. Young and elderly patients in particular will likely require adjusted doses.

Precautions

Patients with certain preexisting conditions are at greater risk of experiencing potentially serious side effects from Seroquel XR. This product should be used with caution if there is any history of:

• Liver or kidney impairment
• Any heart problems
• High or low blood pressure
• Seizures
• Diabetes/high blood sugar
• Cataracts

Seroquel XR should be used with extreme caution in the elderly, and should not be used in individual with Alzheimer's.

This medication is known to interact with other medications. Of particular concern are:

• Antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral medications
• Heart and/or high blood pressure medications
• Seizure medications
• Other antipsychotics or antidepressants
• St. John's wort

Always check with a doctor or pharmacist before mixing medications.

Side Effects

Taken as directed, most patients experience only mild side effects, and these side effects often stop occurring over the first few weeks of treatment. Most common are:

• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Stomach upset
• Appetite changes
• Sore throat

The above side effects are not cause for concern unless they become severe. If they do become severe a doctor should be consulted; there are many alternative medications that produce similar benefits but that may not produce serious side effects for an individual.