Quetiapine : Before Using

Quetiapine - Systemic

Brand Names

Seroquel Quetiapine *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For quetiapine, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to quetiapine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Quetiapine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in rats and rabbits have shown that quetiapine at doses higher than the highest human dose causes reduced weight and other problems in the fetus. Before taking this drug, make sure your family doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding problem

Quetiapine has been shown to pass into the milk of pets. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. However, quetiapine is not recommended for use during breast-feeding, because it may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies. Be sure you have discussed the chance and benefits of the drug with your family doctor.

Use for Children

Studies on this drug have been done only in adult diseaseds and there is no special info comparing use of quetiapine in child with use in other age groups.

Elderly care

This drug has been tested in a limited number of diseaseds 65 years of age or older and has not been shown to cause various side effects or problems in elderly people than it does in adults people. However, quetiapine may be removed from the body more slowly in older adults, so an older adult may receive a lower dose than a younger adult.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking quetiapine, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Alcohol - with chronic use
Barbiturates
Carbamazepine - Tegretol
Griseofulvin - Fulvicin
Phenylbutazone - Butazolidin
Phenytoin - Dilantin
Primidone - Mysoline
Rifampin - Rifadin
Saquinavir - Invirase
Troglitazone - Rezulin These medication may cause lower blood levels of quetiapine; the dose of quetiapine may need to be changed if one of these medication is started or stopped during treat with quetiapine

Central nervous system - CNS depressants - medication that cause drowsiness
Tricyclic antidepressants - drug for depression Quetiapine may increase the CNS depressant side effects of medication, such as drowsiness

Clarithromycin - Biaxin
Diltiazem - Cardizem
Erythromycin - E-Mycin, E.E.S.
Fluconazole - Diflucan
Itraconazole - Sporanox
Ketoconazole - Nizoral
Nefazodone - Serzone
Verapamil - Calan These medication may cause higher blood levels of quetiapine, increasing the risk of side effects

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of quetiapine. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Alzheimer's disease Quetiapine may cause problems with swallowing, which may increase the risk of pneumonia; also, the risk of seizures may be increased

Breast cancer, or history of
Underactive thyroid Quetiapine may make these conditions worse

Dehydration Decreased blood pressure causing by quetiapine may be more severe; risk of developing heatstroke may be increased

Heart disease
Stroke, or history of Decreased blood pressure causing by quetiapine may be more severe or may make these conditions worse

Kidney disease - severe
Liver disease Higher blood levels of quetiapine may occur, increasing the risk of side effects; the dose may need to be changed

Seizures, or history of Chance of seizures may be increased