Quetiapine Oral Tablet

Name: Quetiapine Oral Tablet

Highlights for quetiapine

Quetiapine is used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

This drug comes in the form of a tablet you take by mouth. There are two versions of the tablet. The immediate-release version is released into the bloodstream right away. The extended-release version is slowly released into your bloodstream over time.

Quetiapine is available as the brand-name drugs Seroquel (immediate-release tablet) and Seroquel XR (extended-release tablet). Both forms are also available as generic drugs.

The more common side effects of this drug include drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, weakness, constipation, or dizziness.

In some cases, quetiapine can cause serious side effects. These can include a condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome, movements you can’t control, seizures, or suicide. They can also include death in seniors with dementia.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

  • FDA Warning See Details

  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) See Details

  • Metabolic changes See Details

  • Tardive dyskinesia See Details

What is quetiapine?

Quetiapine is a prescription drug. It comes in the form of a tablet you take by mouth. There are two versions of the tablet. The immediate-release version is released into the bloodstream right away. The extended-release version is slowly released into your bloodstream over time.

Quetiapine is available as the brand-name drugs Seroquel (immediate-release tablet) and Seroquel XR (extended-release tablet). Both forms are also available as generic drugs. Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name version. 

Quetiapine may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.

Why it's used

Quetiapine is used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression.

More Details

How it works

Quetiapine belongs to a class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics.

More Details

Quetiapine Side Effects

More common side effects

The side effects for this drug vary slightly based on the drug form.

  • Immediate-release tablets

    • The more common side effects can include:
      • dry mouth
      • dizziness
      • pain in the abdomen (stomach area)
      • constipation
      • nausea
      • vomiting
      • weight gain
      • increased appetite
      • sore throat
      • trouble moving
      • rapid heartbeat
      • weakness

    If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

  • Extended-release tablets

    • The more common side effects of Seroquel XR can include:
      • dry mouth
      • constipation
      • dizziness
      • increased appetite
      • upset stomach
      • tiredness
      • stuffy nose
      • trouble moving

    If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 9-1-1 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

  • Suicidal thoughts or actions

  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Symptoms can include:

    • high fever
    • excessive sweating
    • rigid muscles
    • confusion
    • changes in your breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure

  • Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Symptoms can include:

    • extreme thirst
    • frequent urination
    • severe hunger
    • weakness or tiredness
    • upset stomach
    • confusion
    • fruity-smelling breath 

  • Increased cholesterol and triglycerides (high fat levels in your blood)

  • Weight gain

  • Tardive dyskinesia. Symptoms can include:

    • movements you can’t control in your face, tongue, or other body parts

  • Orthostatic hypotension (decreased blood pressure when rising too quickly after sitting or lying down). Symptoms can include:

    • lightheadedness
    • fainting
    • dizziness

  • Increases in blood pressure in children and teenagers

  • Low white blood cell count. Symptoms can include:

    • fever
    • infection

  • Cataracts. Symptoms can include:

    • clouding of the lens of your eye
    • blurry vision
    • loss of vision

  • Seizures

  • Abnormal thyroid levels (shown in tests your doctor can do)

  • Increases in blood prolactin levels. Symptoms can include:

    • breast enlargement (in men and women)
    • milky discharge from nipple of breast (in women)
    • erectile dysfunction
    • absence of menstrual period

  • Increased body temperature

  • Trouble swallowing

  • Risk of death from stroke in seniors with dementia

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Quetiapine May Interact with Other Medications

Quetiapine can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Alcohol interaction

Quetiapine can cause drowsiness. The use of drinks that contain alcohol raises your risk of this side effect. If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

Medications that might interact with this drug

Drugs you should not use with quetiapine

Do not take these drugs with quetiapine. Doing so can cause dangerous effects in the body. Examples of these drugs include:

  • Anti-arrhythmic drugs such as quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone or sotalol. You may have heart rhythm problems that could cause sudden death.
  • Antipsychotic drugs such as ziprasidone, chlorpromazine, or thioridazine. You may have heart rhythm problems that could cause sudden death.
  • Antibiotics such as gatifloxacin or moxifloxacin. You may have heart rhythm problems that could cause sudden death.
  • Pentamidine. You may have heart rhythm problems that could cause sudden death.
  • Methadone. You may have heart rhythm problems that could cause sudden death.
Interactions that increase your risk of side effects
  • Increased side effects from other drugs: Taking quetiapine with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from those drugs. Examples of these drugs include:
    • Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, chlordiazepoxide or lorazepam. You may have increased drowsiness.
    • Muscle relaxants such as baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, tizanidine, carisoprodol, or metaxalone. You may have increased drowsiness.
    • Pain medications such as morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, hydrocodone, tramadol, or codeine. You may have increased drowsiness.
    • Antihistamines such as hydroxyzine, diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, or brompheniramine. You may have increased drowsiness.
    • Sedative/hypnotics such as zolpidem, temazepam, quetiapine, or eszopiclone. You may have increased drowsiness.
    • Barbiturates such as phenobarbital. You may have increased drowsiness.
    • Antihypertensives such as amlodipine, lisinopril, losartan, or metoprolol. Your blood pressure may be lowered even more.
  • Increased side effects from quetiapine: Taking quetiapine with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from quetiapine. This is because the amount of quetiapine in your body may be increased. Examples of these drugs include:
    • Antifungal drugs such as ketoconazole or itraconazole. Your doctor may decrease your quetiapine dosage.
    • HIV drugs such as indinavir or ritonavir. Your doctor may decrease your quetiapine dosage.
    • Antidepressants such as nefazodone or fluoxetine. Your doctor may decrease your quetiapine dosage.
Interactions that can make your drugs less effective
  • When quetiapine is less effective: When quetiapine is used with certain drugs, it may not work as well to treat your condition. This is because the amount of quetiapine in your body may be decreased. Examples of these drugs include:
    • Anticonvulsants such as phenytoin, fosphenytoin, oxcarbazepine, or carbamazepine. Your doctor may increase your quetiapine dose.
    • Rifampin. Your doctor may increase your quetiapine dose.
    • St. John’s wort. Your doctor may increase your quetiapine dose.
  • When other drugs are less effective: When certain drugs are used with quetiapine, they may not work as well. This is because the amount of these drugs in your body may be decreased. Examples of these drugs include:
    • Parkinson’s disease medications such as levodopa, pramipexole, or ropinirole. Quetiapine may block the effects of your Parkinson’s medications. This may cause an increase in your symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. Quetiapine warnings

People with diabetes or high blood sugar

Quetiapine may increase your blood sugar levels, which can worsen your condition. Extremely high blood sugar may lead to coma or death. If you have diabetes or risk factors of diabetes (such as being overweight or having a family history of diabetes), talk with your doctor. They should check your blood sugar before and during treatment with quetiapine.

People with hyperlipidemia (high fat levels in the blood)

Quetiapine may further increase the levels of fat (cholesterol and triglycerides) in your blood. High fat levels raise your risk of heart attack and stroke. These high levels typically don’t cause symptoms. Therefore, your doctor may check your blood cholesterol and triglycerides during treatment with quetiapine.

People with low or high blood pressure

Quetiapine may worsen your high or low blood pressure. It may also increase blood pressure in children and teenagers. Your doctor should monitor your blood pressure while you take quetiapine.

People with a low white blood cell count

Quetiapine may lower your low white blood cell count even more. Your doctor should monitor your white blood cell count often during your first few months of treatment. This can help make sure that quetiapine is not decreasing your white blood cell count.

People with cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye)

Quetiapine may worsen your cataracts. Your doctor will monitor you for changes in your cataracts. They will examine your eyes when you start treatment and every 6 months during treatment.

People with seizures

Seizures have occurred in patients with or without epilepsy while taking quetiapine. Quetiapine may make it harder to control seizures in people with epilepsy. Your doctor should monitor you for an increase in seizures while taking this drug.

People with hypothyroidism (low thyroid level)

Quetiapine may lower thyroid hormone levels and worsen your existing condition. Your doctor should monitor your blood thyroid hormone levels before and during treatment with this drug.

People with heart problems

Quetiapine may lower blood pressure and may worsen conditions in people with a history of certain heart problems. These include heart attack, angina (chest pain), coronary artery disease, heart failure, or heart rhythm problems. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for

People with liver problems

Quetiapine is mainly broken down in the body by the liver. As a result, people with liver problems may have increased blood levels of this drug. This raises the risk of side effects from this drug.

Pregnant women

Quetiapine is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:

  1. Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
  2. There haven’t been enough studies done in humans to be certain how the drug might affect the fetus.

Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Women who are breast feeding

Quetiapine may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breast-fed.

Talk to your doctor if you breast-feed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breast-feeding or stop taking this medication.

For seniors

The kidneys and livers of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.

For children

  • Schizophrenia
    • Episodes: This medication hasn’t been studied in children for this purpose. It shouldn’t be used in people younger than 13 years.
    • Maintenance: This medication hasn’t been studied in children for this purpose. It shouldn’t be used in people younger than 18 years.
  • Bipolar I mania
    • Episodes: This medication hasn’t been studied in children for this purpose. It shouldn’t be used in people younger than 10 years.
    • Maintenance: This medication hasn’t been studied in children for this purpose. It shouldn’t be used in people younger than 18 years.
  • Bipolar disorder, depressive episodes: This medication hasn’t been studied in children for this purpose. It shouldn’t be used in people younger than 18 years. 
  • Major depressive disorder treated with antidepressants: This medication hasn’t been studied in children for this purpose. It shouldn’t be used in people younger than 18 years.

When to call the doctor

Call your doctor if:

  • You become pregnant while taking this drug.
  • Your condition gets worse while you take this drug.

Allergies

Quetiapine can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

  • trouble breathing
  • swelling of your throat or tongue

If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

How to Take quetiapine (Dosage)

All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

  • your age
  • the condition being treated
  • how severe your condition is
  • other medical conditions you have
  • how you react to the first dose

What are you taking this medication for?

Schizophrenia

Generic: Quetiapine

Form: Immediate-release oral tablet Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg Form: Extended-release oral tablet Strengths: 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg

Brand: Seroquel

Form: Immediate-release oral tablet Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg

Brand: Seroquel XR

Form: Extended-release oral tablet Strengths: 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

Immediate-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage:
  • Day 1: 25 mg twice daily.
  • Days 2 and 3: Your doctor will increase your dose by 25–50 mg. The total dosage should be taken two or three times daily.
  • Day 4: 300–400 mg daily, taken in 2 or 3 divided doses.
    • Dosage increases:
    • Your doctor may further increase your dosage not more often than every two days. The increase would be 25–50 mg added to your previous dose. The total dosage would be taken twice daily.
    • The recommended dosage range is 150–750 mg per day.
      • Maintenance dosage: Your doctor may keep you on this medication to help control symptoms on an ongoing basis. The dosage range for maintenance use is 400–800 mg per day, taken in 2 or 3 divided doses.
      • Maximum dosage: 800 mg per day, taken in 2 or 3 divided doses.

Extended-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage: 300 mg once per day.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may increase your dose every day by no more than 300 mg once per day. The recommended dosage range is 400–800 mg once per day.
  • Maximum dosage: 800 mg per day.

Schizophrenia episodes

Child dosage (ages 13–17 years)

Immediate-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Day 1: 25 mg twice daily.
    • Day 2: 100 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 3: 200 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 4: 300 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 5: 400 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may further increase your dose by no more than 100 mg per day. The recommended dosage range is 400–800 mg per day, taken in 2 or 3 divided doses.
  • Maximum dose: 800 mg per day, taken in 2 or 3 divided doses.

Extended-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Day 1: 50 mg once daily.
    • Day 2: 100 mg once daily.
    • Day 3: 200 mg once daily.
    • Day 4: 300 mg once daily.
    • Day 5: 400 mg once daily.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may further increase your dose within the recommended dosage range of 400–800 mg once per day.
  • Maximum dosage: 800 mg once per day.
Child dosage (ages 0–12 years)

It has not been confirmed that quetiapine is safe and effective to use for this purpose in people younger than 13 years.

Schizophrenia maintenance

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This medication has not been studied in children to use for this purpose. It should not be used in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Your doctor may start you at a dosage of 50 mg daily. They may later increase it, adding 50 mg to your daily dose. The dosage may be increased at a slower rate, and a lower total daily dose may be used to lessen the risk of side effects.

Special considerations

Liver disease: People with liver disease should be started on 25 mg daily. This dosage may be increased by 25–50 mg daily.

Use with drugs called CYP3A4 inhibitors: Quetiapine dosage should be decreased to one-sixth of the original dosage when given with certain drugs called CYP3A4 inhibitors. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking a CYP3A4 inhibitor. Examples of these drugs include ketoconazole, itraconazole, indinavir, ritonavir, or nefazodone. When the CYP3A4 inhibitor is stopped, the dose of quetiapine should be increased by 6 times the previous dose.

Use with drugs called CYP3A4 inducers: Quetiapine dose should be increased by five times the original dose when given with certain drugs called CYP3A4 inducers. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking a CYP3A4 inducer. Examples of these drugs include phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin, or St. John’s wort. When the CYP3A4 inducer is stopped, the dose of quetiapine should be reduced to the original dose within 7–14 days.

Warnings

If you have stopped quetiapine for more than one week, you’ll need to be restarted at a lower dosage. The dosage will then need to be increased according to the dosage schedule from when you first started the medication.

Bipolar I disorder (manic or mixed episodes)

Generic: Quetiapine

Form: Immediate-release oral tablet Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg Form: Extended-release oral tablet Strengths: 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg

Brand: Seroquel

Form: Immediate-release oral tablet Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg

Brand: Seroquel XR

Form: Extended-release oral tablet Strengths: 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

Bipolar I manic or mixed episodes

Immediate-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Day 1: 100 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 2: 200 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 3: 300 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 4: 400 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
  • Dosage increases:
    • Your doctor may further increase your dosage by no more than 200 mg per day. The recommended dosage range is 400–800 mg per day, taken in 2 or 3 divided doses.
      • Maintenance dosage: Your doctor may keep you on this medication to help control symptoms on an ongoing basis. The dosage range for maintenance use is 400–800 mg per day, taken in 2 or 3 divided doses.
  • Maximum dosage: 800 mg per day, taken in 2 or 3 divided doses.

Extended-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Day 1: 300 mg once per day.
    • Day 2: 600 mg once per day.
    • Day 3: 400–800 mg once per day.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may change your dosage within the recommended range of 400–800 mg once per day.
  • Maximum dosage: 800 mg once per day.

Bipolar I manic or mixed episodes

Child dosage (ages 10–17 years)

Immediate-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Day 1: 25 mg twice daily.
    • Day 2: 100 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 3: 200 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 4: 300 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
    • Day 5: 400 mg per day, taken in divided doses twice daily.
      • Dosage increases: Your doctor may further increase your dose by no more than 100 mg per day. The recommended dosage range is 400–600 mg per day taken in divided doses up to three times daily.
      • Maximum dosage: 600 mg per day in 2 or 3 divided doses.

Extended-release tablets

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Day 1: 50 mg once per day.
    • Day 2: 100 mg once per day.
    • Day 3: 200 mg once per day.
    • Day 4: 300 mg once per day.
    • Day 5: 400 mg once per day.
      • Dosage increases: Your doctor may change your dose, within the recommended dosage range of 400–600 mg once per day.

Maximum dosage: 600 mg once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–9 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that quetiapine is safe and effective to use for this purpose in children younger than 10 years.

Bipolar I maintenance

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that quetiapine is safe and effective to use for this purpose in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Your doctor may start you at a dosage of 50 mg daily. They may later increase it, adding 50 mg to your daily dose. The dosage may be increased at a slower rate, and a lower total daily dose may be used to lessen the risk of side effects.

Special considerations

Liver disease: People with liver disease should be started on 25 mg daily. This dosage may be increased by 25–50 mg daily.

Use with drugs called CYP3A4 inhibitors: Quetiapine dosage should be decreased to one-sixth of the original dosage when given with certain drugs called CYP3A4 inhibitors. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking a CYP3A4 inhibitor. Examples of these drugs include ketoconazole, itraconazole, indinavir, ritonavir, or nefazodone. When the CYP3A4 inhibitor is stopped, the dose of quetiapine should be increased by 6 times the previous dose.

Use with drugs called CYP3A4 inducers: Quetiapine dose should be increased by five times the original dose when given with certain drugs called CYP3A4 inducers. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking a CYP3A4 inducer. Examples of these drugs include phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin, or St. John’s wort. When the CYP3A4 inducer is stopped, the dose of quetiapine should be reduced to the original dose within 7–14 days.

Warnings

If you have stopped quetiapine for more than one week, you’ll need to be restarted at a lower dosage. The dosage will then need to be increased according to the dosage schedule from when you first started the medication.

Bipolar disorder (depressive episodes)

Generic: Quetiapine

Form: Immediate-release oral tablet Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg Form: Extended-release oral tablet Strengths: 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg

Brand: Seroquel

Form: Immediate-release oral tablet Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg

Brand: Seroquel XR

Form: Extended-release oral tablet Strengths: 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

Immediate-release tablets 

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Maximum dosage: 300 mg daily, taken at bedtime.
  • Day 1: 50 mg daily, taken at bedtime.
  • Day 2: 100 mg daily, taken at bedtime.
  • Day 3: 200 mg daily, taken at bedtime.
  • Day 4: 300 mg daily, taken at bedtime.

Extended-release tablets 

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Day 1: 50 mg once daily at bedtime.
    • Day 2: 100 mg once daily at bedtime.
    • Day 3: 200 mg once daily at bedtime.
    • Day 4: 300 mg once daily at bedtime.
      • Maximum dosage: 300 mg once daily at bedtime.
Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that quetiapine is safe and effective to use for this purpose in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Your doctor may start you at a dosage of 50 mg daily. They may later increase it, adding 50 mg to your daily dose. The dosage may be increased at a slower rate, and a lower total daily dose may be used to lessen the risk of side effects.

Special considerations

 

 Warnings

If you have stopped quetiapine for more than one week, you’ll need to be restarted at a lower dosage. The dosage will then need to be increased according to the dosage schedule from when you first started the medication.

Major depression in people already taking antidepressants

Generic: Quetiapine

Form: Immediate-release oral tablet Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg Form: Extended-release oral tablet Strengths: 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg

Brand: Seroquel

Form: Immediate-release oral tablet Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg

Brand: Seroquel XR

Form: Extended-release oral tablet Strengths: 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

Extended-release tablets 

  • Typical starting dosage:
    • Days 1 and 2: 50 mg once daily.
    • Day 3: 150 mg once daily.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may change your dosage, within the recommended range of 150–300 mg once per day.
  • Maximum dosage: 300 mg once daily.
Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that quetiapine is safe and effective to use for this purpose in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Your doctor may start you at a dosage of 50 mg daily. They may later increase it, adding 50 mg to your daily dose. The dosage may be increased at a slower rate, and a lower total daily dose may be used to lessen the risk of side effects.

Special considerations

Liver disease: People with liver disease should be started on 25 mg daily. This dosage may be increased by 25–50 mg daily.

Use with drugs called CYP3A4 inhibitors: Quetiapine dosage should be decreased to one-sixth of the original dosage when given with certain drugs called CYP3A4 inhibitors. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking a CYP3A4 inhibitor. Examples of these drugs include ketoconazole, itraconazole, indinavir, ritonavir, or nefazodone. When the CYP3A4 inhibitor is stopped, the dose of quetiapine should be increased by 6 times the previous dose.

Use with drugs called CYP3A4 inducers: Quetiapine dose should be increased by five times the original dose when given with certain drugs called CYP3A4 inducers. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking a CYP3A4 inducer. Examples of these drugs include phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin, or St. John’s wort. When the CYP3A4 inducer is stopped, the dose of quetiapine should be reduced to the original dose within 7–14 days.

Warnings

If you have stopped quetiapine for more than one week, you’ll need to be restarted at a lower dosage. The dosage will then need to be increased according to the dosage schedule from when you first started the medication.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. Important considerations for taking quetiapine

You can take immediate-release tablets with or without food

See Details

Take this drug at the time(s) recommended by your doctor

You can cut or crush quetiapine immediate-release tablets

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Store this drug carefully

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A prescription for this medication is refillable

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Travel

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Self-management

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Clinical monitoring

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Hidden costs

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Insurance

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