1. Quetiapine is believed to block receptors in the brain that dopamine acts on to prevent excessive activity of dopamine and help control schizophrenia. *
2. Medications such as quetiapine have been shown to have a higher risk of TD compared to older antipsychotics, such as haloperidol. *
3. Quetiapine is used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. *
4. Tardive dyskinesia is a severe side effect of quetiapine. *
5. A patient who has low blood potassium or magnesium levels should be able to take quetiapine. *
6. Drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit is encouraged for patients taking quetiapine. *
7. The use of quetiapine is recommended for mothers who are breastfeeding. *
8. For some illnesses, such as schizophrenia, long-term treatment is required and necessary and therefore, quetiapine should be taken regularly, even when a patient may feel better. *
9. An EKG may be ordered to monitor for irregular heart beat because generally all antipsychotics have been associated with the risk of sudden cardiac death. *
10. Quetiapine is not approved by the FDA to treat patients who have mental problems caused by dementia. *
11. If quetiapine is stopped suddenly, it can cause withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and sleep problems. *
12. Once-daily dosing may improve patient adherence, which may impact positively on patient outcomes. *
13. No known effect is associated with patients taking quetiapine. *
14. It may take 2-3 months before a patient gets the full benefit of quetiapine. *
15. If a patient misses a dose, they are to take it as soon as remembered. *