Brand Name

Seroquel XR {Astra Zeneca}

Generic Name

quetiapine, pronounced kwe TYE a peen

---

Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Seroquel XR?

Seroquel XR is an antipsychotic medication that is used to treat patients with schizophrenia. Seroquel XR is a sustained release tablet approved for adults only, and should not be given to anyone younger than age 18. Seroquel XR works by changing the actions of the chemicals in the brain. Seroquel XR may also be used to treat manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, as well as in conjunction with other antidepressant medications to treat major depressive disorder. Seroquel XR may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Seroquel XR

You should never take Seroquel XR in larger amounts then directed, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. The use of Seroquel XR in high doses and for long term may cause a serious and irreversible movement disorder. Signs of this of this disorder include uncontrollable muscle movements and tremors. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions for taking Seroquel XR exactly.

It is important for you to be aware that Seroquel XR may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions. You should stop taking Seroquel XR and call your doctor immediately if you have the symptoms like very stiff and rigid muscles, a high fever, sweating, confusion, uneven or fast heartbeats, tremors, uncontrolled muscle movements, light-headedness, blurred vision, eye pain, increased thirst and urination, excessive hunger, a fruity breath odor, weakness, nausea and vomiting.

You should not use Seroquel XR for psychotic conditions related to dementia.

You should not drink alcohol while taking Seroquel XR, as it may increase certain side effects of this medication.

When you first start taking Seroquel XR you may have thoughts about suicide, especially if you are between 18 and 24 years of age. You must tell your doctor if you have these thoughts, and be sure to keep regular appointments with your physician, particularly for the first 3 months of treatment, or whenever you have a change in your dose.

If you have any new or worsening symptoms, like mood changes, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, impulsiveness, irritability, aggression, hyperactivity, or thoughts of suicide or harming yourself tell your doctor immediately. Be sure that your caregivers will monitor you for signs of mental distress, especially for the first few weeks of treatment with Seroquel XR.

Be aware that Seroquel XR may impair your reactions or thinking. You should be careful when driving or doing anything which requires you to be alert, especially when you first start Seroquel XR. Be careful when getting from a sitting or lying position, as Seroquel XR can cause dizziness. Be sure to get up slowly and safely to prevent falling.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Seroquel XR is in FDA pregnancy category C. It is known that taking an antipsychotic medication like Seroquel XR may cause problems in your newborn, like withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, tremors, fussiness, and stiff or limp muscles. You should be aware that if you stop taking Seroquel XR during your pregnancy you may have withdrawal symptoms. Consult with your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Seroquel XR. You should not breast-feed while taking Seroquel XR, as it is known that Seroquel XR can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.

Before You Take Seroquel XR

If you are allergic to quetiapine you should not take Seroquel XR.

Let your doctor know if you have a history of low white blood cell counts or a thyroid disorder before you start taking Seroquel XR.

If you have epilepsy, seizures, a history of heart attack or stroke, or high blood pressure you should tell your doctor before taking Seroquel XR.

Tell your doctor before starting Seroquel XR if you have liver or kidney disease, high cholesterol or triglycerides, or a personal or family history of diabetes before you begin treatment with Seroquel XR.

You should inform your doctor if you have cataracts or trouble swallowing to help him or her decide if Seroquel XR is right for you.

You may be more prone to heat stroke while taking Seroquel XR. Be cautious about getting overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather.

Treatment with Seroquel XR is not to be used for patients with psychotic conditions related to dementia. The use of Seroquel XR for these patients may cause them extreme harm, such as heart failure, pneumonia, or even sudden death.

Seroquel XR Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• allergy and cold medications
• amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone)
• antibiotic or antifungal medications like clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), levofloxacin (Levaquin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater).
• antidepressants and medications to treat psychiatric disorders, including amitriptylline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), clozapine (FazaClo, Clozaril), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), haloperidol (Haldol), risperidone (Risperdal) and thioridazine (Mellaril)
• anti-malaria medications chloroquine (Aralen) and mefloquine (Lariam).
• blood pressure medications
• disopyramide (Norpace)
• dofetilide (Tikosyn)
• HIV medications
• methadone (Methadose, Diskets, Dolophine)
• muscle relaxers
• Parkinson’s disease medications
• procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl)
• propafenone (Rythmol)
• quinidine (Quin-G)
• sedatives or sleeping pills
• seizure medications like carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), divalproex (Depakote), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), phenytoin (Dilantin), and valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor)
• sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet)
• zolmitriptan (Zomig).

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Seroquel XR. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Seroquel XR

You should take Seroquel XR exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take Seroquel XR in larger or smaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You should take Seroquel XR at the same time every day.

Do not break, chew, or crush Seroquel XR, swallow it whole with a full glass of water.

You should take Seroquel XR with food, such as a light meal of 300 calories or less.

Be aware that Seroquel XR may cause you to have high blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of hyperglycemia like increased thirst, excessive hunger, excessive urination or weakness. If you are a diabetic you should check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking Seroquel XR.

You may experience a false-positive result on a drug test while taking Seroquel XR. Be sure to let the laboratory know that you are taking this medication before any screenings are done.

Do not stop using Seroquel XR without consulting your doctor, as you may experience adverse side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly. Your doctor may change your dosage of Seroquel XR throughout the course of your treatment, and you should follow his or her instructions carefully.

Seroquel XR needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Seroquel XR you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Seroquel XR Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Seroquel XR and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction such as breathing difficulties, hives, swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• aggressive, agitated or hostile behavior
• anxiety or panic attacks
• confusion
• depression that has increased
• difficulty concentrating and memory problems
• eye problems including eye pain, blurry vision and seeing halos around lights
• excessive hunger
• faintness
• fever
• flu like symptoms
• fruity breath odor
• increased heart rate
• increased thirst and urination
• jerky muscle movements you cannot control
• mask-like appearance of your face
• speech problems
• stiff and rigid muscles
• suicidal thoughts or thought about hurting yourself
• sweating
• tremors
• trouble breathing or shallow breath
• trouble swallowing
• unusual thoughts or behavior
• white patches or sores on your lips and mouth

Less serious side effects of Seroquel XR may include:

• breast swelling or discharge
• constipation
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• increased appetite with weight gain
• missed menstrual periods
• nausea
• sore throat
• tired feeling
• upset stomach
• vomiting

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Seroquel XR. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Seroquel XR Description and Dosing

Seroquel XR is available in the United States as tablets in the following dosages:

50 milligram tablets, which are peach, film coated, capsule-shaped, biconvex and intagliated with “XR 50” on one side and plain on the other side.

150 milligram tablets, which are white, film-coated, capsule-shaped, biconvex and intagliated with ‘XR 150’on one side and plain on the other side.

200 milligram tablets, which are yellow, film coated, capsule-shaped, biconvex and intagliated with “XR 200” on one side and plain on the other side.

300 milligram tablets, which are pale yellow, film coated, capsule-shaped, biconvex and intagliated with “XR 300” on one side and plain on the other side.

400 milligrams tablets, which white, film coated, capsule-shaped, biconvex and intagliated with “XR 400” on one side and plain on the other side.

Patients taking Seroquel XR should consult their doctor for specific dosing pertaining to them. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Seroquel XR you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Seroquel XR

The primary active ingredient in Seroquel XR is quetiapine fumarate. Inactive ingredients are lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium citrate, hypromellose, and magnesium stearate. The film coating for all Seroquel XR tablets contain hypromellose, polyethylene glycol 400 and titanium dioxide. In addition, yellow iron oxide (50, 200 and 300 mg tablets) and red iron oxide (50 mg tablets) are included in the film coating of specific strengths.

Back to Top

The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.