Quetiapine
Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic agent used for the management of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider. It belongs to a class of medications known as atypical (second-generation) antipsychotics. Quetiapine demonstrates a high level of therapeutic efficacy and low risk of adverse effects during long-term treatment. These chemicals are known to affect thoughts and mood. It is thought to work by balancing brain chemicals called serotonin and dopamine. It is used to treat and prevent the return of symptoms in Schizophrenia and other mental health related conditions.
Quetiapine tablets should be taken without food or with a small meal (300 calories or less). It is well-tolerated and a suitable option for some patients with high sensitivity to other drugs, such as clozapine and olanzapine. It may be used for other conditions. Taking quetiapine tablets with a larger meal can increase your quetiapine blood levels. Check with your healthcare professional if you are unsure why you are given this medication. Management of acute manic or mixed episodes in patients with bipolar I disorder, as a monotherapy or combined with other drugs. You should not stop taking this medication even if you do not feel better at the beginning. It may be used to manage depressive episodes in bipolar disorder.
Continue to take this medication even after you feel better to prevent your symptoms from returning. In addition to the above indications, quetiapine is used in combination with antidepressant drugs for the treatment of major depression. Do not stop taking or adjust the dose of this medication without checking with your doctor. Quetiapine improves the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and major depression by acting on various neurotransmitter receptors, such as the serotonin and dopamine receptors.
