Quetiapine
Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder.
Quetiapine is an antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression by blocking specific brain receptors.
This medication carries a boxed (black box) warning — the strongest type of FDA warning. Review the full prescribing information before use.
Key facts at a glance
- ATC
- N05AH04
- Generic
- Quetiapine
- Class
- antipsychotic
- Brands
- Seroquel
- Availability
- rx
- Pregnancy
- C
- Lactation
- caution
- Half-life (h)
- 7
- Routes
- oral
- Forms
- tablet
- Regions
- CN, US, EU, JP
- Monitoring
- metabolic-syndrome, weight, blood-glucose
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Dosage and administration
- Usual dose
- 500mg twice daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- every 12 hours
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 250mg twice daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- every 12 hours
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 400mg daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- once daily
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
Overdose information
Special Populations
7 groupspregnancy
first trimesteruse lowest effective dose
use only if benefits outweigh potential risks to fetus
regular prenatal monitoring
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pregnancy
third trimesteruse lowest effective dose
avoid abrupt discontinuation; monitor newborn for extrapyramidal symptoms
monitor newborn for sedation, feeding difficulties, and withdrawal symptoms
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
lactation
breastfeedinguse lowest effective dose or consider alternative
qutiapine is excreted in breast milk; monitor infant for sedation and developmental changes
monitor infant for excessive drowsiness and developmental milestones
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
geriatric
elderly with dementiastart at very low dose (25mg daily) and titrate slowly
increased mortality in elderly with dementia-related psychosis; not approved for dementia
monitor for cardiovascular events, stroke, and mortality
Use of this medication in this population requires careful consideration of risks and benefits.
pediatric_age
adolescents 13 to 17lower doses; max 800mg/day
approved for schizophrenia and bipolar mania; monitor weight and metabolic parameters
regular monitoring of weight, BMI, blood glucose, and lipids
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
renal_impairment
severeno significant dose adjustment required
qutiapine is minimally excreted renally; use standard dosing with monitoring
standard monitoring
hepatic_impairment
moderate to severereduce dose by 50%
quetiapine is metabolized in liver; dose reduction recommended
monitor for increased sedation and adverse effects
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
Statistics and clinical data
FDA approval year
FDA approval date for Quetiapine (Seroquel)
Drug class
World Health Organization ATC classification system
Common uses
FDA-approved therapeutic indications
Primary mechanism
Primary pharmacological mechanism
Quetiapine is FDA-approved for treating schizophrenia in adults and adolescents, bipolar mania and depression, and as adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder. It may also be used off-label for anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions as determined by a healthcare provider.
Quetiapine works by antagonizing dopamine D2 receptors and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in the brain. This dual action helps reduce psychotic symptoms, regulate mood, and alleviate anxiety by modulating neurotransmitter activity in specific brain regions.
Quetiapine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, weight gain, and metabolic changes including increased blood sugar and cholesterol. Avoid alcohol and operate machinery with caution until you know how it affects you. Do not stop taking this medication abruptly without medical supervision, as withdrawal symptoms may occur. Regular monitoring of weight, blood sugar, and lipid levels is recommended during treatment.
Contraindications
Conditions and patient states where this medication should be avoided or used with caution.
Do not use (1)
Known allergy to this medication or its components
Use caution (1)
Consult healthcare provider for benefits vs risks assessment
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed July 22, 2026. · Read our editorial policy