Simple and Practical Mental Health

The BEST resource for mental health clinicians

  • REVIEWS
  • MENUS
  • RESOURCES
    • Side effect handouts
    • Patient handouts: Main page
    • How to find treatment resources
    • Rating scales and questionnaires for mental health clinicians
    • BEST books
    • BEST apps/ websites
  • NEWS
  • QUESTIONS?
  • DAILY EMAILS
  • FAQ
  • LOG IN
  • JOIN

Quetiapine (Seroquel®, Seroquel XR®): Basic Information

Quetiapine (US brand names Seroquel® and Seroquel XR®) is a second-generation (“atypical”) antipsychotic. Here is basic information about this medication.


Quetiapine (Seroquel® and generic)

FDA-approved indications

Schizophrenia

Bipolar I disorder manic episodes

Bipolar disorder, depressive episodes


Dosage

1. Schizophrenia (adults)

Initial: 25 mg twice daily

Recommended: 150–750 mg/day

Maximum: 750 mg/day

2. Schizophrenia (adolescents, 13-17 yrs)

Initial: 25 mg twice daily

Recommended: 400–800 mg/day

Maximum: 800 mg/day

3. Bipolar mania (monotherapy or as an adjunct to lithium or valproate in adults)

Initial: 50 mg twice daily

Recommended: 400–800 mg/day

Maximum: 800 mg/day

4. Bipolar mania (monotherapy in children and adolescents, 10-17 yrs)

Initial: 25 mg twice daily

Recommended: 400–600 mg/day

Maximum: 600 mg/day

5. Bipolar depression (adults)

Initial: 50 mg once daily at bedtime

Recommended: 300 mg/day

Maximum: 300 mg/day


Dosage forms and strengths

Tablets: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg. Generic is also available in 150 mg strength.


Please refer to Prescribing Information (see link below) for a complete discussion of dosage, administration, warnings and precautions, contraindications, etc.


Quetiapine extended-release (Seroquel XR®)

FDA-approved indications

Schizophrenia

Bipolar I disorder manic or mixed episodes

Bipolar disorder, depressive episodes

Major depressive disorder, adjunctive therapy with antidepressants


Dosage

1. Schizophrenia (adults)

Initial: 300 mg/day

Recommended: 400–800 mg/day

Maximum: 800 mg/day

2. Schizophrenia (adolescents, 13-17 yrs)

Initial: 50 mg/day

Recommended: 400–800 mg/day

Maximum: 800 mg/day

3. Bipolar I disorder, manic or mixed episode (acute monotherapy or as an adjunct to lithium or divalproex in adults)

Initial: 300 mg/day

Recommended: 400–800 mg/day

Maximum: 800 mg/day

4. Bipolar I disorder, manic (acute monotherapy in children and adolescents, 10-17 yrs)

Initial: 50 mg/day

Recommended: 400–600 mg/day

Maximum: 600 mg/day

5. Bipolar disorder, depressive episodes (adults)

Initial: 50 mg/day

Recommended: 300 mg/day

Maximum: 300 mg/day

6. Major depressive disorder, adjunctive therapy with antidepressants (adults)

Initial: 50 mg/day

Recommended: 150–300 mg/day

Maximum: 300 mg/day

Instruct patients to swallow whole and not to split, chew, or crush the tablets. Patients may take the tablets without food or with a light meal once daily, preferably in the evening.

Elderly or patients with hepatic impairment should be considered for a lower starting dose (50 mg/day)


Dosage forms and strengths

Extended-release tablets: 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300mg, and 400 mg


Please refer to Prescribing Information (see link below) for a complete discussion of dosage, administration, warnings and precautions, contraindications, etc.


Related Pages

Second-Generation Antipsychotics: Dose Equivalents

Antipsychotics and QT prolongation

Antibiotics, Antipsychotics, and QTc Prolongation

What should I be doing to monitor patients who are on an antipsychotic? (Free)

Second-generation (“Atypical”) antipsychoticsA


References

Quetiapine (Seroquel®) Prescribing Information

Quetiapine extended-release (Seroquel XR®) Prescribing Information


Copyright 2016, Rajnish Mago, MD. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in any form without express written permission.

Disclaimer: The content on this website is provided as general education for medical professionals. It is not intended or recommended for patients or other laypersons, or as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients must always consult a qualified health care professional regarding their diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare professionals should always check this website for the most recently updated information.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Leave a Reply:Cancel reply

Follow us on social media

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Copyright 2016 to 2025: Simple and Practical Medical Education, LLC. All rights reserved.