Overall view
Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic commonly prescribed under the brand name Seroquel. It is indicated for conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and is sometimes added to antidepressant therapy when depression does not respond to usual treatments.
Quetiapine constitutes the active substance. In clinical practice it is available in multiple oral strengths and formulations, including immediate-release tablets and extended-release versions. Typical tablet strengths found in Australia include 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg and 300 mg.
Before you begin quetiapine, share with your physician the necessary essential information.
Before the act begins quetiapine, discuss the following with your prescriber or pharmacist so they can assess risks and monitor appropriately:
- Any history of seizures, epilepsy or head injury
- Heart conditions, prior heart attack, irregular heartbeats or fainting episodes
- Low blood pressure, or a tendency to feel dizzy on standing
- Type 2 diabetes is a form of diabetes, prediabetes, obesity or strong family history of diabetes
- Liver or renal functional impairment
- Parkinson disease in the category of movement disorders or prior extrapyramidal symptoms
- Eye problems including glaucoma or significant vision changes
- Diseases of the thyroid gland, blood cell abnormalities, or any current infections
- Pregnancy planning, current pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Allergies to quetiapine or any non-medicinal ingredients
- Current medicines, vitamins, herbal preparations and recreational drug or alcohol use
- Personal or family history of suicidal behavior or sudden mood changes
Older adults (65 years and over) are typically more sensitive to sedative and cardiovascular effects and may need lower starting doses. Use in children should be supervised by a specialist and follows limited approved signals pointing to.
Steps to take quetiapine
- Follow the exact dose and schedule on your prescription label. Take your doses at consistent times each day.
- Swallow the tablets and wash them down with water. If nausea occurs, taking quetiapine with food may help.
- Do not break, crush or chew extended-release tablets unless the pharmacist confirms it is safe to do so.
- A dose change or stopping quetiapine should be done gradually under medical supervision to reduce the risk of withdrawal or symptom recurrence.
- In case of suspected consuming an overdose call 000 immediately or contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for urgent advice australia-based.
If you forget a dose
In case you miss a dose, take it immediately upon remembering, unless you are within four hours of your next scheduled dose. If the next dose is near, skip the missed one and continue as prescribed. Do not take two doses at once to replace a dose you missed.
How medicines interact with meals and alcohol.
Certain combinations are unsafe or may change how quetiapine works. Avoid the listed medicines known to carry serious cardiac or neurological risk when combined with quetiapine:
- Thioridazine, used in psychiatric treatment, mesoridazine, pimozide and other similar older antipsychotics
- The drug Droperidol, halofantrine, cisapride and other drugs associated with marked QT prolongation
Other important interactive engagement classes include:
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, ritonavir, clarithromycin and erythromycin (they can raise quetiapine levels)
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital and St Johns wort plant (they can lower quetiapine levels)
- Central nervous system depressants (for example benzodiazepines, some antihistamines, alcohol and cannabis) which increase sedation and impairment
- Antihypertensives and other drugs that lower blood pressuregrowth potentially increasing dizziness or fainting
- Some diabetes medications, because quetiapine can increase blood glucose
Not all items are shown in this list. Provide a full current list of all prescription, non-prescription and herbal products to your clinician.
Ongoing monitoring routines, safety checks and day-to-day guidance
- Therapeutic effects may take several weeks. Keep scheduled reviews to assess benefit and postmarketing effects.
- Your clinician may request baseline and periodic checks of weight, blood glucose and lipid profile during long-term treatment.
- Report any new or worsening mood symptoms, agitation, restlessness or suicidal thoughts immediately, especially during early treatment or after dose changes.
- Quetiapine can cause sleepiness and slow reaction times. Do not drive or use machinery until you know how it affects you.
- Stand up slowly from sitting or lying positions to reduce the risk of dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Before taking action over-the-counter remedies for colds, allergies or gastrointestinal symptoms, ask a pharmacist whether they are safe with quetiapine.
Possible effects to expect and when to go to urgent care
Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, breathing difficulty
- Very fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting or severe dizziness
- High fever, stiff muscles, confusion or markedly reduced consciousness (possible neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
- Severe infection signs such as fever, sore throat or unexplained bruising (blood cell changes)
- New uncontrolled movements of the face, mouth, neck or limbs, or sudden severe muscle rigidity
- Seizure or loss of consciousness
- Thoughts of harming yourself or others
Most common effects are mild. that many people experience include:
- Weary feeling and dizziness and lightheadedness
- Lack of saliva and constipation issues
- Appetite increases and weight gain follows
- Sexual incidental outcomes such as reduced desire or changes in performance
Tell your prescriber if bothersome minor side effects persist; adjustments to dose or a change of treatment may be needed.
Storing and disposing
- Store medicines out of reach and sight of children.
- Keep at room temperature, ideally between 15 and 30 degrees C, in a dry place away from direct heat and sunlight.
- Do not use beyond the expiry date. Return unused or expired medicines to a pharmacy for safe disposal; do not discard them in household rubbish or down the sink.
Similar treatment drugs with an approximate price range in AUD
Other atypical antipsychotics with overlapping uses include risperidone, olanzapine, aripiprazole, paliperidone, ziprasidone, lurasidone and clozapine. Choice depends on diagnosis, previous response, side effect profile and also the act of monitoring requirements.
For augmentation of antidepressant therapy, clinicians may consider lithium, mirtazapine, or bupropion in some cases, depending on clinical judgement.
Indicative patient australian price levels (AUD)
- Under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) many quetiapine preparations are subsidised. Standard PBS general patient co-payment is typically around AUD 30 to 32 per prescription; concession patients pay less (around AUD 7 to 8). These figures vary with current PBS policy.
- Private (non-PBS) prescriptions can vary: generic immediate-release quetiapine tablets may cost roughly AUD 10 to 60 per pack depending on strength and pack size. Extended-release or brand-name products are often more expensive.
- Other PBS-listed antipsychotics usually carry a similar co-payment when used for subsidised signs indicating. Off-PBS use, specialty formulations and depot (injectable) forms can increase out-of-pocket costs.
- Clozapine requires enrolment in a constant monitoring program and regular blood tests; while PBS-listed, additional constant monitoring costs may apply.
Prices and PBS listings change over time. Check with your pharmacy and evaluate the aspects PBS lookup tools for current subsidy status and exact patient costs.
Access rights and legal position under Australian jurisdiction
- Schedule and prescription: Quetiapine is a Schedule 4 medicine in Australia and is available only with a valid prescription from an authorised prescriber.
- PBS and eligibility: Many quetiapine products and strengths are eligible for PBS subsidy for specific signs that point to; eligibility and subsidy depend on clinical criteria and prescribing authority.
- Travel and personal importation: Under the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) personal importation arrangements, a traveler may carry up to three months supply for personal use, preferably in original packaging and with a copy of the prescription. Declare medicines if requested at the border.
- Driving and operating machinery: It is an offence to drive while impaired. Quetiapine can cause sedation and slow reaction times; do not drive until you are sure you are not affected.
- Misuse: Using quetiapine for off-label purposes such as routine sleep aid or sharing prescriptions is unsafe and should be avoided.
- Disposal: Return unwanted or expired medicines to a community pharmacy for secure destruction rather than disposing of them in household waste.
Facts at a glance
- Initiate with a low dose and increase gradually as directed by your prescriber.
- Monitor weight, blood glucose and lipids if treatment is long term.
- Report any new eye symptoms, severe constipation, uncontrolled movements or suicidal thoughts promptly.
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