Seroquel XR (Quetiapine Fumarate) - Summary

SEROQUEL XR SUMMARY

SEROQUEL XR (quetiapine fumarate) is a psychotropic agent belonging to a chemical class, the dibenzothiazepine derivatives.

All doses and tablet strengths are expressed as milligrams of base, not as fumarate salt.

SEROQUEL XR is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia.

The efficacy of SEROQUEL XR in schizophrenia was established in part, on the basis of extrapolation from the established effectiveness of SEROQUEL. In addition, the efficacy of SEROQUEL XR was demonstrated in 1 short-term (6-week) controlled trial of schizophrenic inpatients and outpatients [ see Clinical Studies ].

The effectiveness of SEROQUEL XR in long-term use, that is, for more than 6 weeks, has not been systematically evaluated in controlled trials. Therefore, the physician who elects to use SEROQUEL XR for extended periods should periodically re-evaluate the long-term usefulness of the drug for the individual patient [ See Dosage And Administration ].

See all Seroquel XR indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Seroquel XR (Quetiapine)

Schizophrenia 'Guideline of Guidelines' Released
Source: Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health Headlines [2013.05.16]
New "meta-guidelines" combining recommendations from several expert organizations on the management and treatment of schizophrenia have been released.
Medscape Medical News

Model Cell System Offers Insights Into Epilepsy, Schizophrenia, Other Neuropsych Disorders
Source: Autism News From Medical News Today [2013.05.06]
Medical researchers have manipulated human stem cells into producing types of brain cells known to play important roles in neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy, schizophrenia and autism...

Neurons In The Nose Could Be The Key To Early, Fast, And Accurate Diagnosis Of Schizophrenia
Source: Schizophrenia News From Medical News Today [2013.05.01]
A debilitating mental illness, schizophrenia can be difficult to diagnose. Because physiological evidence confirming the disease can only be gathered from the brain during an autopsy, mental health professionals have had to rely on a battery of psychological evaluations to diagnose their patients. Now, Dr. Noam Shomron and Prof...

Schizophrenia May Be Diagnosed By Testing Nerve Cells From The Nose
Source: Schizophrenia News From Medical News Today [2013.05.01]
Collecting neurons from the nose could be a fast way to test for schizophrenia, a debilitating mental illness that is often difficult to diagnose. This was the finding of a new study led by researchers from Tel Aviv University (TAU) in Israel...

The Dual Role Of Testosterone In Schizophrenia
Source: Endocrinology News From Medical News Today [2013.04.30]
Researchers from Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) have presented new results about the role of testosterone in schizophrenia at the International Congress on Schizophrenia Research being held in Orlando, Florida. They have found that, on the one hand, testosterone could be the trigger for the onset of schizophrenia...

more news >>

Published Studies Related to Seroquel XR (Quetiapine)

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of quetiapine fumarate XR in very heavy-drinking alcohol-dependent patients. [2012]
very heavy drinkers... CONCLUSIONS: This multisite clinical trial showed no efficacy for quetiapine

Quetiapine: a pharmacoeconomic review of its use in bipolar disorder. [2012]
This article briefly summarizes the burden of bipolar disorder and the clinical profile of quetiapine (Seroquel®) in the management of bipolar disorder, followed by a detailed review of pharmacoeconomic analyses...

A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial of fluoxetine plus quetiapine or clomipramine versus fluoxetine plus placebo for obsessive-compulsive disorder. [2011.12]
Obsessive-compulsive disorder patients who do not improve sufficiently after treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor might improve further if other drugs were added to the treatment regimen... However, the period of monotherapy with the maximum dose of fluoxetine should be extended before a combination treatment strategy is applied.

Extended-release quetiapine as monotherapy for the treatment of adults with acute mania: a randomized, double-blind, 3-week trial. [2011.11]
BACKGROUND: Bipolar disorder, a highly recurrent and chronic condition, often necessitates periods of hospitalization and requires lifelong treatment with medication. It is characterized by alternating episodes of mania and depression. Given the severity of mania, physicians must be able to control symptoms rapidly. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pivotal, Phase III trial was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of once-daily extended-release quetiapine fumarate (quetiapine XR) monotherapy in improving manic symptoms in patients with bipolar I disorder... CONCLUSION: This 3-week trial suggests that quetiapine XR (400-800 mg) once-daily monotherapy is efficacious (from day 4) and generally well tolerated in patients with manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00422123. Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc. All rights reserved.

Continuation of quetiapine versus switching to placebo or lithium for maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder (trial 144: a randomized controlled study). [2011.11]
CONCLUSIONS: In patients stabilized during acute quetiapine treatment, continuation of quetiapine significantly increased time to recurrence of any mood, manic, or depressive event compared with switching to placebo. Switching to lithium was also more effective than placebo for the prevention of manic and depressive events. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00314184. (c) Copyright 2011 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.

more studies >>

Clinical Trials Related to Seroquel XR (Quetiapine)

Compare the Effect on Cognitive Functionin of Two Formulations of Seroquel, Seroquel XR and IR in Patients With Stabel Schizophrenia [Not yet recruiting]

This will be a phase IV 20 - 32 day prospective, double blind, double-dummy, randomised

crossover study that will evaluate the effect of quetiapine XR and quetiapine IR on cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia stabilized on a single antipsychotic medication.

Open Label Seroquel Study for TR IBS [Recruiting]
Purpose: We are proposing to examine, via open label trial, the use of Seroquel® for patients with moderate to severe functional bowel symptoms who are not receiving adequate relief from their symptoms on their present regimen of SNRI or TCA antidepressant agents.

Participants: Primary eligibility will be determined of patients at The UNC Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders Clinic who score in the moderate to severe range on the Functional Bowel Disorders Severity Index (FBDSI ≥ 37) who have failed or have incomplete treatment responses of medications including at least one prior trial of antidepressant medication.

Procedures (methods): We will monitor several patient and symptom related outcomes, as well as evaluate health related quality of life, psychological distress and related psychosocial measures to determine if the addition of Seroquel® over and above the use of an antidepressant improves clinical response based on an adequate relief measure as well as selected secondary outcomes. We will also determine when treatment benefit is related to effects on pain, the associated psychological co-morbidities seen in this population, or both factors.

Nis Register Study Comparing Seroquel and Seroquel Prolong [Recruiting]
The general aim of this non interventional study is to clarify what are the current clinical treatment practices of Quetiapine Immediate Release and Quetiapine Extended Release. The primary objectives of the study are: 1. To collect information on the used Quetiapine Immediate Release or Quetiapine Extended Release medication 2. To collect information on duration and number of hospitalisation days 3. Change of GAF points

Seroquel Extended Release (XR) for the Management of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) [Recruiting]
The Primary objective of this study is to evaluate Seroquel XR in the treatment of BPD. As

in many initial RCTs, the study will be of relatively short duration - 8 weeks - to assess

effectiveness and safety while maximizing retention. The specific aim is to determine if Seroquel XR is superior to placebo. The primary outcome measure will be a statistically significant difference between Seroquel XR compared to placebo on the ZAN-BPD, an objective rating scale that addresses the severity of DSM-IV symptoms of the illness. As there is the recent development of an extended release form of Seroquel (Seroquel XR) (Schulz et al. 2007), the new compound may offer several advantages in this study. Therefore, the hypothesis of this study is that both doses of Seroquel XR (see below) will be superior to placebo in an 8-week randomized trial as assessed by the ZAN-BPD.

To achieve the Primary Objective of this study, two doses of Seroquel XR will be tested -

150 mg/d and 300 mg/d. Thus, the study will be able to assess the effect of Seroquel XR compared to placebo and to explore a dose effect.

Bipolar Study of Seroquel XR With Pramipexole Dihydrochloride [Recruiting]

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Seroquel XR (Quetiapine) Side Effects

Drug Dose Omission (806),  Insomnia (469),  OFF Label USE (351),  Malaise (297),  Intentional Drug Misuse (209),  Depression (171),  Feeling Abnormal (167),  Anxiety (153),  Somnolence (136),  Bipolar Disorder (135), more >>

PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Seroquel XR review by 36 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Bipolar disorder
Dosage & duration:		400mg taken once a night for the period of since oct of 2009
Other conditions:		high blood pressure
Other drugs taken:		Adderallxr,trazadone,cymbalta,restirol
		Reported Results
Benefits:		My treatment was good after I was hospitalized for deppression thay started me on Seroquel and I was getting better I started on it in oct 09
Side effects:		there was no side effects I took it at night
Comments:		My mood changed a lot I went to in hospital therpay for 3mos they tried differnt drugs but seroquel changed alot it cost a lot $411 for 30 pills but it worth it

Seroquel XR review by 23 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		Extremely Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Bipolar II
Dosage & duration:		200mg taken daily for the period of 10 months
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		LEXAPRO, 10mg
		Reported Results
Benefits:		I was diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder in February of 2009. I found that my manic states led to very erratic and inconsistent behavior. I also found the depressive lows to be particularly difficult to manage. In November 2009 I was prescribed SEROQUEL by a Urgent Care Physician. Immediately I found its calming effects to be extremely relieving to my mania. I did, however, find it difficult to maintain a functioning state due to its sedating effects. I then switched to SEROQUEL XR and found a much more successful experience. I was initially given 400mg SEROQUEL XR paired with 10mg LEXAPRO. While initially a good way to stop the mania, I found 400mg to be too much to function on. I decided to halve my SEROQUEL XR dose to 200mg continuing to take 10mg of LEXAPRO. This combo has been great and I am so much calmer and feel way more in control of my life. I do, however, find the sedating effects to be difficult upon awaking in the morning. I try to offset this by ensuring that I receive a full 8-10 hour rest after administering a dosage. I would highly recommend this combo to anyone that is having difficulty finding a mental balance between dark and light. This year of treatment has allowed me to find a calm that I have never quite experienced beforehand.
Side effects:		I found that despite the great benefits mentally, the physical side effects are a fair trade. I was about 115 lbs when I started this drug 10 months ago. Today I way about 147lbs. That's definitely a 37 pound gain. Additionally, I always prided myself on my enormous amount of energy. After taking this drug I am extremely lethargic in the hours after taking it (bedtime) and the morning hours.
Comments:		I take 200mg of SEROQUEL XR and 10mg of LEXAPRO nightly.

Seroquel XR review by 23 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		Extremely Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Bipolar II
Dosage & duration:		200mg taken daily for the period of 10 months
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		LEXAPRO, 10mg
		Reported Results
Benefits:		I was diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder in February of 2009. I found that my manic states led to very erratic and inconsistent behavior. I also found the depressive lows to be particularly difficult to manage. In November 2009 I was prescribed SEROQUEL by a Urgent Care Physician. Immediately I found its calming effects to be extremely relieving to my mania. I did, however, find it difficult to maintain a functioning state due to its sedating effects. I then switched to SEROQUEL XR and found a much more successful experience. I was initially given 400mg SEROQUEL XR paired with 10mg LEXAPRO. While initially a good way to stop the mania, I found 400mg to be too much to function on. I decided to halve my SEROQUEL XR dose to 200mg continuing to take 10mg of LEXAPRO. This combo has been great and I am so much calmer and feel way more in control of my life. I do, however, find the sedating effects to be difficult upon awaking in the morning. I try to offset this by ensuring that I receive a full 8-10 hour rest after administering a dosage. I would highly recommend this combo to anyone that is having difficulty finding a mental balance between dark and light. This year of treatment has allowed me to find a calm that I have never quite experienced beforehand.
Side effects:		I found that despite the great benefits mentally, the physical side effects are a fair trade. I was about 115 lbs when I started this drug 10 months ago. Today I way about 147lbs. That's definitely a 37 pound gain. Additionally, I always prided myself on my enormous amount of energy. After taking this drug I am extremely lethargic in the hours after taking it (bedtime) and the morning hours.
Comments:		I take 200mg of SEROQUEL XR and 10mg of LEXAPRO nightly.