What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-Blockage in your bowels
-Cataracts
-Constipation
-Dementia
-Diabetes
-Difficulty swallowing
-Glaucoma
-Heart disease
-High levels of prolactin
-History of breast cancer
-History of irregular heartbeat
-Liver disease
-Low blood cell levels (white cells, red cells, and platelets)
-Low blood pressure
-Parkinson disease
-Prostate disease
-Seizures
-Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt by you or a family member
-Thyroid disease
-Trouble passing urine
-An unusual or allergic reaction to quetiapine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breastfeeding
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medication with any of the following:
-Cisapride
-Dronedarone
-Metoclopramide
-Pimozide
-Thioridazine
This medication may also interact with the following:
-Alcohol
-Antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold
-Atropine
-Avasimibe
-Certain antivirals for HIV or hepatitis
-Certain medications for anxiety or sleep
-Certain medications for bladder problems, such as oxybutynin, tolterodine
-Certain medications for depression, such as amitriptyline, fluoxetine, nefazodone, sertraline
-Certain medications for fungal infections, such as fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole
-Certain medications for stomach problems, such as dicyclomine, hyoscyamine
-Certain medications for travel sickness, such as scopolamine
-Cimetidine
-General anesthetics, such as halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
-Ipratropium
-Levodopa or other medications for Parkinson disease
-Medications for blood pressure
-Medications for seizures
-Medications that relax muscles for surgery
-Opioid medications for pain
-Other medications that cause heart rhythm changes
-Phenothiazines, such as chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine
-Rifampin
-St. John's wort
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not suddenly stop taking This medication. You may develop a severe reaction. Your care team will tell you how much medication to take. If your care team wants you to stop the medication, the dose may be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.
You may need to have an eye exam before and during use of this medication.
This medication may increase blood sugar. Ask your care team if changes in diet or medications are needed if you have diabetes.
This medication may cause thoughts of suicide or depression. This includes sudden changes in mood, behaviors, or thoughts. These changes can happen at any time but are more common in the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose. Call your care team right away if you experience these thoughts or worsening depression.
This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.
This medication can cause problems with controlling your body temperature. It can lower the response of your body to cold temperatures. If possible, stay indoors during cold weather. If you must go outdoors, wear warm clothes. It can also lower the response of your body to heat. Do not overheat. Do not over-exercise. Stay out of the sun when possible. If you must be in the sun, wear cool clothing. Drink plenty of water. If you have trouble controlling your body temperature, call your care team right away.
What are the most serious risks of this medication?
This medication should not be used to treat mood and behavior changes caused by dementia. It may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia.
This medication may increase thoughts of suicide. This may be more common in children, teenagers, and young adults. The risk may increase after first starting the medication and after dose changes. Talk to your care team right away if you have changes in mood and behavior or thoughts of self-harm or suicide.