Quetiapine 200mg Sustained Release Tablet
- Class: Atypical (second-generation) antipsychotic.
- Mechanism of Action: Quetiapine acts by modulating dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain. Its effects help alleviate symptoms of psychosis, mood disorders, and sleep disturbances. The sustained-release formulation provides a gradual release of the medication over time, reducing the frequency of dosing and minimizing peak plasma fluctuations.
- Recommended Usage
Indications
Schizophrenia: For the acute and chronic treatment of schizophrenia, addressing both positive (e.g., delusions, hallucinations) and negative (e.g., social withdrawal, cognitive deficits) symptoms.
Bipolar Disorder: Used for the acute treatment of manic episodes and depressive episodes in bipolar disorder. Also used for maintenance therapy to prevent mood swings.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): As an adjunctive treatment in patients with treatment-resistant depression (when other antidepressants alone are insufficient).
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Sometimes used off-label for anxiety disorders.
Sleep Disorders: Due to its sedative properties, quetiapine is sometimes used off-label to treat insomnia, although this is not FDA-approved.
Dosage and Administration
Starting Dose: Typically, 50 mg to 100 mg once daily in the evening, especially for patients starting treatment or transitioning to the sustained-release formulation.
Typical Dosage Range:
o Schizophrenia: Usual dose ranges from 200 mg to 800 mg per day, often taken as a single dose in the evening with the sustained-release formulation.
o Bipolar Disorder: For acute mania, the usual dose is 400 mg to 800 mg daily; for maintenance, it may be reduced to 200 mg to 400 mg daily.
o Adjunctive Therapy in Depression: 150 mg to 300 mg daily at bedtime.
Administration:
o Sustained-release tablets should be taken once daily, typically in the evening due to sedative effects.
o Can be taken with or without food.
o The tablets should be swallowed whole and not chewed or crushed, as doing so may disrupt the controlled release of the medication.
Precautions
Pregnancy: Classified as Category C (risks to the fetus are not fully known). It should only be used during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breastfeeding: Quetiapine passes into breast milk. Caution is advised, and it should only be used if absolutely necessary.
Elderly: Older adults are more sensitive to the sedative effects and may have a higher risk of orthostatic hypotension, stroke, and movement disorders.
Liver/Kidney Disease: Dose adjustments may be necessary in patients with liver or kidney dysfunction.
Cardiovascular Risk: Quetiapine may cause orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure when standing) and affect heart rhythm, so caution is needed in patients with cardiovascular disease.
Metabolic Effects: Quetiapine can lead to weight gain, elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia), and lipid abnormalities, so regular monitoring of glucose, cholesterol, and weight is important.
Seizure Disorders: Use with caution in patients with a history of seizures as quetiapine may lower the seizure threshold.
