How and when to take quetiapine - Brand names: Atrolak, Biquelle, Seroquel, Sondate, Zaluron

It's important to take quetiapine as your doctor tells you.

Dosage and strength

Standard quetiapine tablets come in strengths of 25mg, 100mg, 150mg, 200mg and 300mg.

The slow release tablets come in strengths of 50mg, 150mg, 200mg, 300mg, 400mg and 600mg.

The liquid contains 20mg of quetiapine in 1ml.

How much quetiapine you take depends on why you're taking it.

Your doctor may ask you to change your dose, depending on how well quetiapine works for you. It can take a few weeks to get to the dose that works best for you.

Doses may be lower for older people and people with liver problems.

Dose for schizophrenia

You'll usually start on a low dose of 50mg a day when taking standard tablets. This will be increased over a few days to start with.

Your doctor may advise you to slowly increase your dose even more, depending on how well quetiapine works for you. Most people feel better with a daily dose of 300mg to 600mg.

If you're taking standard tablets, take half your dose in the morning and half in the evening, unless your doctor gives you different instructions. If you're taking slow release tablets, take the whole daily amount in one dose.

Dose for mania symptoms of bipolar disorder

You'll usually start on a low dose of 100mg a day when taking standard tablets. This will be increased over a few days to start with.

Your doctor may ask you to slowly increase your dose even more, depending on how well quetiapine works for you. Most people feel better with a daily dose of 400mg to 800mg.

If you're taking standard tablets, take half your dose in the morning and half in the evening, unless your doctor gives you different instructions. If you're taking slow release tablets, take the whole daily amount in one dose.

Dose for depression in bipolar disorder

You'll usually start on a low dose of 50mg a day. This will be increased over a few days. Most people feel better with a daily dose of 300mg.

Take it once a day at bedtime.

Dose for preventing mania or depression in bipolar disorder

If you've taken quetiapine to treat bipolar disorder and it has worked for you, you'll usually continue to take the same dose.

You doctor may ask you to increase or decrease your dose to find the best dose for you. Most people continue to feel better with a daily dose of 300mg to 800mg.

If you're taking standard tablets, take half your dose in the morning and half in the evening, unless your doctor gives you different instructions. If you're taking slow release tablets, take the whole daily amount in one dose.

Dose for depression when used with other medicines

You'll usually start on a low dose of 50mg. This will be increased over a few days. Most people feel better with a daily dose of 150mg to 300mg.

Take it once a day at bedtime.

How to take tablets

If you're taking standard tablets, swallow them whole with a drink of water. You can take them with or without food.

If you're taking slow release tablets, swallow your tablet whole with a drink of water without food. It's best to take the tablets at least 1 hour before a meal and at least 2 hours after a meal. Do not break, chew or crush the tablets.

How to take liquid

If you're taking liquid quetiapine, it will come with a plastic syringe or dosing cup to help you measure out your dose. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen spoon as it will not measure the right amount.

If your quetiapine liquid comes in a bottle with a syringe:

1. Shake the bottle.
2. Remove the cap and push the syringe adaptor into the bottle neck.
3. Put the syringe into the opening in the adaptor and turn the bottle upside down.
4. Fill the syringe to the right dose, turn the bottle the right way up and remove the syringe.
5. Put the end of the syringe into your mouth, and push the plunger to squirt the medicine into your mouth. Swallow your dose straight away. Have a drink of water afterwards if you need to.
6. Wash the syringe and let it dry before you use it again.

To use the dosing cup, shake the bottle, then pour the liquid into the cup until it reaches the mark shown for your dose.

Wash the cup and let it dry before you use it again.

You can take the liquid with or without food.

How long to take it for

If you take quetiapine for schizophrenia or depression, you may need to take it for a long time, maybe several years.

If you take it for mania or depression in bipolar disorder, you may need to take it for a few weeks or months. Your doctor may suggest that you keep taking it for a long time, maybe several years, to stop your symptoms coming back.

If you forget to take it

If you forget to take a dose of quetiapine and you usually take it once a day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's less than 12 hours until your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

If you forget a dose and you usually take it twice a day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's less than 8 hours until your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you miss 2 or more doses, contact your doctor.

If you often forget doses it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

Taking too much quetiapine can cause serious side effects.

Stopping quetiapine

Do not stop taking quetiapine unless your doctor tells you to, as your symptoms may come back.

If your doctor asks you to stop taking this medicine, your dose may be decreased slowly over a few days.

If you reduce your dose too quickly you may get withdrawal symptoms such as feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting), sweating and problems sleeping.

Talk to your doctor if you have any problems when you reduce your dose or stop taking quetiapine.