A study published earlier this year inNeuropsychiatricindicated that the antipsychotic drug, Seroquel, is a “particularly dangerous medication” in the wake of a recent study indicating it could be “dangerous for bipolar disorder,” according to Dr. Steven Nissen, a professor at Tufts University’s medical center.
The researchers, from Massachusetts General Hospital, published their results in theJournal of the American Medical Associationin May 2017. The study, which was conducted in the United States, was published in theNew England Journal of Medicine.
“While the results of this study are promising, it remains unclear whether Seroquel will work for bipolar disorder and other conditions that are associated with the illness,” Nissen said.
The medication, quetiapine, was the first to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States for the treatment of schizophrenia in 1996. The FDA approval came after the antipsychotic medication was first marketed for bipolar disorder in 1997.
However, the first-line treatment for bipolar disorders is Seroquel.
“There are no clear treatment goals and the benefits of Seroquel for bipolar disorder are not well-established,” Nissen said.
But for patients with other mental health conditions, there are other therapies that may be effective.
The most promising treatment option for bipolar disorder, according to Nissen, is a combination of psychotherapy and medication, such as quetiapine.
Quetiapine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which works by preventing serotonin from being reabsorbed in nerve cells. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and thought processes, such as thinking and memory.
Quetiapine is available as a generic medication, which may have lower costs than a brand name version. It is typically prescribed by a doctor in doses of 250mg or 500mg daily.
The researchers, from Massachusetts General Hospital, analyzed data from four of the most-studied studies on the use of Seroquel.
The first study, published in the(Nw. M.), examined the association between Seroquel use and the risk of developing bipolar disorder.
The researchers analyzed data from 11,743 patients in the study, who were being treated for bipolar disorder in the United States since 2002.
The researchers found that the risk of developing bipolar disorder was highest among those who used Seroquel in combination with a bipolar disorder diagnosis (OR 12.0).
In the second study, which was conducted in France, the researchers analyzed data from 9,065 patients who had been treated with quetiapine for bipolar disorder, and compared them with those who received either a placebo or a placebo plus antipsychotic medication, such as a quetiapine tablet.
In the third study, which was conducted in a United Kingdom, the researchers looked at data from 10,071 patients who were treated for bipolar disorder in the United Kingdom and were taking quetiapine in combination with a bipolar disorder diagnosis.
The researchers found that the risk of developing bipolar disorder was higher among patients who received quetiapine in combination with a bipolar disorder diagnosis (OR 3.1).
In both of the studies, quetiapine and a bipolar disorder diagnosis was combined.
Nissen said that there is a potential to improve treatment outcomes for patients with other mental health conditions.
“While this study is promising, we do not know the long-term consequences of the use of quetiapine for bipolar disorder,” Nissen said.
However, Nissen said that it is important to be informed about the benefits and risks of any medication, including Seroquel.
Photo by Nw. M. Nissen, M. D. at Massachusetts General Hospital, via FlickrIn addition, Nissen noted that quetiapine is not a controlled substance and should only be used under a doctor’s supervision.
Nissen said that there are other therapies and treatment options that may be effective for the treatment of bipolar disorder.
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iaries_BRANDTheFDA,aMedicare, and theMedicare Part D (Medicare) Programprovide the appropriate treatment of patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, for example, in an individualized manner, and in a manner that minimizes the risk of significant drug interactions.
Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are distinct and sometimes overlap.
enquiries drug manufacturers about potential drug interactions that can lead to serious drug interactions. Examples of potential drug interactions include the following:
In addition to the potential drug interactions listed below,thealso notes that the drugs most likely to interact with Bipolar Disorder and schizophrenia include:
The FIDA(FDA-approved and OTC) provides information on the safety and efficacy of a single Bipolar Disorder Drug (brand name: Seroquel, generic name: Quetiapine; active ingredient: 300 mcg of Quetiapine Hydrochloride; dosages: 20 mg/kg of body weight per day; effective dose: 5 mg/kg/day) and schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
meets the's requirements for prescribing the Bipolar Disorder Drug (brand name: Seroquel; active ingredient: 300 mcg of Quetiapine; dosages: 20 mg/kg of body weight per day; effective dose: 5 mg/kg/day).
provides information on the safety and efficacy of a single Bipolar Disorder Drug (brand name: Seroquel, generic name: Quetiapine; active ingredient: 300 mcg of Quetiapine Hydrochloride; dosages: 20 mg/kg of body weight per day; effective dose: 5 mg/kg/day) and schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
provides information on the safety and efficacy of a single Bipolar Disorder Drug (brand name: Seroquel, generic name: Quetiapine; active ingredient: 300 mcg of Quetiapine Hydrochloride; dosages: 20 mg/kg of body weight per day; effective dose: 5 mg/kg/day).
's requirements for prescribing the Bipolar Disorder Drug (brand name: Seroquel, generic name: Quetiapine; active ingredient: 300 mcg of Quetiapine Hydrochloride; dosages: 20 mg/kg of body weight per day; effective dose: 5 mg/kg/day).
Quetiapine, a medication used to treat schizophrenia, is an atypical antipsychotic medication. It falls under the category of drugs called atypical antipsychotics. Though it has been used for decades, like schizophrenia, for the treatment of psychiatric disorders, there is growing interest in its potential as a treatment for bipolar disorder. This article explores the uses, indications, and potential side effects of this medication, as well as its mechanism of action, and the need for ongoing research.
| Pharmacologic Name | Antipsychotics | Dosage | Dosage/Interaction |
| Atypical Antipsychotics | Quetiapine | 25mg-100mg/day | –25mg/day |
| Dopamine Dopamine Antipsychotics | |||
| Lithium Antipsychotics | |||
| Serotonin-norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) | |||
| Seroquel (quetiapine) | 25mg/day | ||
| Tricor (duloxetine) | |||
| Zotonc (ketorolac) | |||
| Zoloft (sertraline) | 50mg-100mg/day | –50mg/day |
The use of quetiapine is indicated in the following conditions:
In addition to the above conditions, quetiapine is also indicated for the treatment of bipolar I disorder, mania, and depression. While antipsychotics have shown efficacy in bipolar disorder, they have also shown variable effects on mood.
Quetiapine exerts its effects by modulating the levels of various neurotransmitters in the brain.
Like other atypical antipsychotics, quetiapine also has sedative effects, such as by increasing the excitability of neurons.
The duration of treatment depends on the specific condition being treated. While some patients may have a mean duration of 4-6 weeks, others may require longer periods of treatment. It’s essential to understand that quetiapine is not a cure for bipolar disorder. It’s also essential to discuss the benefits and risks of the medication with a healthcare professional.
Seroquel, which is also known by its generic name quetiapine fumarate, is a medication belonging to the class of antipsychotic drugs. It is used to treat mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. It works by affecting the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin.
It can cause various side effects, including:
Seroquel is approved to treat:
Seroquel can be used in the following situations:
Seroquel works by blocking the reuptake of dopamine and serotonin, which are neurotransmitters found in the brain. It prevents the reuptake of these chemicals and increases the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain.
Before you start taking Seroquel, inform your doctor if you have:
It is not recommended to take Seroquel in combination with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), any other medications, or certain antidepressants. Do not take Seroquel with Seroquel or any other medication that prolongs the QT interval (temporary treatment of depression). You may also need to use an ECG monitoring device (e.g., an electrocardiogram monitor). If you are unable to take Seroquel with any of these, it is advised to consult your doctor for more information.
Take special care with Seroquel when you are taking antipsychotic medications, as it may lead to serious side effects. Make sure you are prepared for any of these scenarios:
Remember, always consult your doctor or pharmacist before using Seroquel if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have any allergies, especially to the medication.
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