quetiapine
Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic medication used to treat certain mental health conditions, including SCHIZOPHRENIA, bipolar disorder, and as an add-on treatment for major depressive disorder.
Quetiapine is a second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic medication that affects the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly dopamine and serotonin. It is used in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (including manic and depressive episodes), and as an adjunct therapy for major depressive disorder in some patients. Quetiapine works by modulating dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2 receptor activity, helping improve symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, mood disturbances, and disorganized thinking. It is available in immediate-release and extended-release formulations. Common side effects may include sleepiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain, and metabolic changes such as increased blood sugar or cholesterol levels. Treatment with quetiapine should be monitored by a healthcare professional, especially in individuals at risk for metabolic, cardiovascular, or neurological side effects.
Quetiapine is a medicine that helps balance certain chemicals in the brain. It is used to treat conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and sometimes depression. It can help improve mood, thoughts, and behavior but may cause side effects such as sleepiness or weight changes.
• Atypical (second-generation) antipsychotic medication • Used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder • May be used with other medicines for major depressive disorder in some patients • Works mainly by affecting dopamine and serotonin activity in the brain • Helps manage symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, mood episodes, and abnormal thinking patterns • Available as immediate-release and extended-release tablets • Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, and weight gain • May affect blood sugar, cholesterol, and metabolism during long-term use • Treatment should be monitored by a healthcare provider, especially with prolonged therapy
Quetiapine is used to treat schizophrenia (a mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves), bipolar disorder (a disease that causes depression, mania, and other abnormal moods) and major depressive disorder. Quetiapine is in a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. It works by changing the activity of certain natural substances in the brain.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking quetiapine affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
Quetiapine may raise levels of a hormone called prolactin (hyperprolactinemia) in some people, which can make conception more difficult, though it is less likely to cause this than some similar medications. People do still become pregnant while taking it, and untreated psychiatric conditions can also affect fertility. A healthcare provider can check prolactin with a blood test if there are fertility concerns.
Does taking quetiapine increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many reasons. Most studies have not found a difference in miscarriage rates between people taking quetiapine and those on similar medications, though one study suggested a higher chance that the authors thought might reflect the underlying condition rather than the medication itself. Because untreated depression can also raise miscarriage risk, it is difficult to separate these factors, and decisions should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Does taking quetiapine increase the risk of birth defects?
Every pregnancy starts with a background 3–5% chance of a birth defect. Based on the studies reviewed, quetiapine is not thought to increase the chance of birth defects. Any individual questions about risk are best discussed with a healthcare provider.
Can taking quetiapine during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
Quetiapine might increase the chance of gestational diabetes, and a healthcare provider can monitor blood sugar levels during pregnancy. It may also be associated with a higher chance of low birth weight (under 5 pounds, 8 ounces), though untreated depression and other psychiatric conditions can also contribute, making it difficult to know the exact cause. If quetiapine is used in late pregnancy, newborns may have temporary symptoms such as changes in muscle tone, sleepiness, agitation, breathing or feeding problems, or tremors, which usually resolve on their own.
Can taking quetiapine during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
One study suggested possible short-term developmental or behavioral delays at two and six months of age that were no longer present by one year, suggesting any effects may be temporary. Another study found no association between quetiapine use in pregnancy and poor school outcomes. Overall, the available findings do not suggest lasting neurodevelopmental effects, but ongoing questions can be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking quetiapine?
Quetiapine passes into breast milk in low levels (less than 1% of the parent's dose), and amounts in a breastfed infant's blood are typically very low or undetectable. Based on limited studies, exposure through breastfeeding is not expected to affect development, though babies should be watched for unusual sleepiness. Breastfeeding questions are best discussed with a healthcare provider.
Source: National Library of Medicine
quetiapine