Brand Name of Quetiapine
The brand name of quetiapine is Seroquel.
Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic medication that is marketed under the trade name Seroquel by AstraZeneca 1. It is available in both immediate-release and extended-release (XR) formulations.
Indications for Quetiapine (Seroquel)
Quetiapine is FDA-approved for multiple psychiatric conditions:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder (both manic and depressive episodes)
- As adjunctive therapy for major depressive disorder
Formulations
- Immediate-release (IR): Typically dosed twice daily
- Extended-release (XR): Allows for once-daily dosing
Clinical Pharmacology
Quetiapine works as an antagonist at multiple neurotransmitter receptors, including:
- Serotonin 5-HT2 receptors
- Dopamine D2 receptors
Its antidepressant effects may be related to:
- Antagonism of 5-HT2A receptors in cortical regions
- Partial agonism of 5-HT1A in the prefrontal cortex
- Inhibition of noradrenaline reuptake via its metabolite norquetiapine 2
Dosing Considerations
The effective dosage range for quetiapine is typically:
- Schizophrenia: 300-450 mg/day divided into two doses 3
- Bipolar depression: 300-600 mg/day 2
- Titration usually begins at 25 mg twice daily on day 1, increasing to 300 mg/day by day 4 3
Lower starting doses are recommended for elderly patients and those with liver impairment.
Tolerability Profile
Quetiapine has several notable characteristics in its side effect profile:
- Associated with placebo-level incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) across its entire dose range 4
- Does not elevate plasma prolactin levels compared to placebo 4
- Most common adverse events include dry mouth, sedation, somnolence, dizziness, and constipation 2
- Minimal short-term effects on body weight compared to some other atypical antipsychotics 4
Unlike clozapine, quetiapine does not require routine blood monitoring for agranulocytosis 3.
This information should help healthcare providers correctly identify and discuss the brand name of quetiapine with patients and colleagues.