Why is this medication prescribed?Quetiapine tablets and extended-release (long-acting) tablets are used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions).Quetiapine tablets and extended-release tablets are also used alone or with other medications to treat or prevent episodes of mania (frenzied, abnormally excited or irritated mood) or depression in patients with bipolar disorder (manic depressive disorder; a disease that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods).Quetiapine extended-release tablets are also used along with other medications to treat depression.Quetiapine tablets may be used as part of a treatment program to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in children.Quetiapine is in a cla*s of medications called atypical antipsychotics.It works by changing the activity of certain natural substances in the brain.
How should this medication be used?
Quetiapine comes as a tablet and an extended-release tablet to take by mouth.The tablets are usually taken one to three times a day, with or without food.The extended-release tablets are usually taken once a day in the evening without food or with a light meal.Take quetiapine at around the same time(s) every day.Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.Take quetiapine exactly as directed.Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of quetiapine and gradually increase your dose during the first week of your treatment.Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the amount of medication you should take each day at the beginning 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.Your doctor will probably tell you to start taking a low dose of the medication and gradually increase your dose as you did when you first started taking quetiapine.
Quetiapine may help control your symptoms but will not cure your condition.It may take several weeks or longer for you to feel the full benefit of quetiapine.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 medicine?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Other names
SeroquelВ
