Quetiapine (Seroquel brand name) is an atypical antipsychotic drug which is used in prophylaxis and treatment of people who suffer from symptoms of psychosis, in particular the so-called bipolar disorder.
Quetiapine is on the market as tablets (quetiapine fumarate) of 25 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg; and as modified-release tablets ("XR") of 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg. The half-life of the ordinary tablets is approximately 7 hours. The agent should be discontinued uitsluipend.
Indications are psychotic symptoms, such as schizophrenia. Quetiapine can be used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and depression.
To reduce risk of tardive dyskinesia, a side effect with prolonged use of high doses of antipsychotics can occur as small as possible should be dosed as low as possible.
Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic. It causes less movement than conventional antipsychotics. It is, (apart from clozapine), the only antipsychotic that, in very low dose can be used with hallucinations in Parkinson's disease, where other measures, such as reduction of Parkinson's medication, treatment of the physical discomfort and treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors and clozapine not possible, or are not effective.
The FDA warns strongly against of all antipsychotics in dementia and-off label use as a sleep aid. Quetiapine has the side effect of increase in body weight and a less favorable cholesterol profile, while type 2 diabetes, there is more difficult to determine. The risk for cardiovascular disease is therefore unfavorable.
Caution is recommended in combination with alcohol or centrally acting agents, and agents that disrupt the electrolyte balance or prolong the QTc interval. During concomitant use of CYP3A4 inhibitors such as macrolide antibiotics, imidazole antifungals (ketoconazole), HIV protease inhibitors and grapefruit juice, finds a significant inhibition instead of degradation of quetiapine; for this reason it is combined with any of these agents is contraindicated. The metabolism of quetiapine is accelerated by concomitant use of CYP3A4 inducers, phenytoin and carbamazepine; combination with one of these agents is also recommended.
Quetiapine is on the market as tablets (quetiapine fumarate) of 25 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg; and as modified-release tablets ("XR") of 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg. The half-life of the ordinary tablets is approximately 7 hours. The agent should be discontinued uitsluipend.
Quetiapine indications, risks and side effects
Indications are psychotic symptoms, such as schizophrenia. Quetiapine can be used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and depression.
To reduce risk of tardive dyskinesia, a side effect with prolonged use of high doses of antipsychotics can occur as small as possible should be dosed as low as possible.
Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic. It causes less movement than conventional antipsychotics. It is, (apart from clozapine), the only antipsychotic that, in very low dose can be used with hallucinations in Parkinson's disease, where other measures, such as reduction of Parkinson's medication, treatment of the physical discomfort and treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors and clozapine not possible, or are not effective.
The FDA warns strongly against of all antipsychotics in dementia and-off label use as a sleep aid. Quetiapine has the side effect of increase in body weight and a less favorable cholesterol profile, while type 2 diabetes, there is more difficult to determine. The risk for cardiovascular disease is therefore unfavorable.
Interactions
Caution is recommended in combination with alcohol or centrally acting agents, and agents that disrupt the electrolyte balance or prolong the QTc interval. During concomitant use of CYP3A4 inhibitors such as macrolide antibiotics, imidazole antifungals (ketoconazole), HIV protease inhibitors and grapefruit juice, finds a significant inhibition instead of degradation of quetiapine; for this reason it is combined with any of these agents is contraindicated. The metabolism of quetiapine is accelerated by concomitant use of CYP3A4 inducers, phenytoin and carbamazepine; combination with one of these agents is also recommended.