About Quetiapine 50 mg Tablet
Quetiapine 50 mg Tablet contains Quetiapine 50 mg. Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It helps balance certain chemicals in the brain to reduce symptoms such as hallucinations, mood swings and mania. It should be taken regularly and not stopped suddenly.
Uses of Quetiapine 50 mg Tablet
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder — episodes of mania and depression
- Prevention of relapse in bipolar disorder, as advised by your doctor
Benefits
In schizophrenia
It can reduce hallucinations, unusual thoughts and agitation, helping you think more clearly and manage daily life.
In bipolar disorder
It helps control episodes of mania and depression and can help keep mood more stable over time.
Side effects
Do not stop suddenly — this can cause sleep problems, nausea and vomiting and may bring symptoms back. Your doctor will reduce it slowly if needed. In older people with dementia, antipsychotics are linked to a higher risk of death and stroke.
Common
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness, especially when standing up
- Dry mouth
- Weight gain and increased appetite
- Constipation
- Headache
- Raised blood sugar and cholesterol
Get medical help if you notice
- High fever, stiff muscles, sweating, confusion or fast heartbeat — seek emergency care
- Uncontrolled movements of the face, tongue or body — contact your doctor
- Thoughts of harming yourself, or worsening depression, especially in young people or when the dose changes — contact your doctor straight away
- Fainting or a fast, irregular heartbeat — seek medical help
- Fever, sore throat or frequent infections (possible low white blood cells) — contact your doctor
- Extreme thirst, passing a lot of urine or feeling very weak (possible high blood sugar) — contact your doctor
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Swallow the tablet whole with water, with or without food. Your doctor will usually start with a low dose and increase it slowly.
How it works
It blocks some dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain, which helps rebalance brain chemicals involved in thinking and mood.
Safety advice
Alcohol Unsafe
Avoid alcohol. It greatly increases drowsiness and dizziness.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it. Use in the last months of pregnancy can cause problems such as shaking or feeding difficulties in the newborn. Do not stop it on your own.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
It passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor before breastfeeding.
Driving Caution
It often causes drowsiness, especially at the start or when the dose changes. Do not drive until you know how it affects you.
Kidney Safe
No dose change is usually needed in kidney disease.
Liver Caution
Your doctor may start with a lower dose if you have liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Do not stop it suddenly; talk to your doctor first.
- Get up slowly from sitting or lying down to avoid dizziness.
- Your doctor may check your weight, blood sugar and cholesterol regularly.
- Avoid grapefruit juice, which can raise its levels.
- Tell your family or carer to watch for changes in mood or behaviour.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Same salts, other strengths or forms
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Dibenzothiazepine
- Therapeutic class
- Neuro-psychiatry
- Action class
- Atypical antipsychotic
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin and some HIV medicines | Greatly raise quetiapine levels; avoid together |
| Carbamazepine, phenytoin and rifampicin | Lower quetiapine levels and reduce its effect |
| Alcohol, sleeping pills, sedatives and opioid painkillers | Can add to drowsiness and slowed breathing |
| Medicines that affect heart rhythm, such as some antibiotics and antiarrhythmics | Higher risk of an irregular heartbeat |
| Blood pressure medicines | Can add to dizziness and low blood pressure |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Quetiapine prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); US FDA quetiapine labelling (boxed warnings); EMC SmPC: quetiapine). Pharmacist review pending.