Seroquel XR 400mg Release Duration
Seroquel XR (quetiapine extended-release) 400mg releases medication over approximately 24 hours, designed for once-daily dosing. However, the provided evidence does not contain specific pharmacokinetic data about the exact release profile or duration for this formulation.
Key Pharmacological Considerations
Extended-Release Mechanism
- Crushing or altering Seroquel XR tablets destroys the controlled-release mechanism, leading to dose dumping, increased side effects, and loss of therapeutic efficacy 1
- Only immediate-release quetiapine formulations can be crushed when medically necessary 1
- The extended-release formulation is specifically engineered to maintain therapeutic drug levels throughout a 24-hour period
Clinical Context for This Patient Population
For patients with ODD, ASD, and history of in utero cocaine exposure:
- Quetiapine shows promise for treating irritability and aggression in these populations, though only risperidone and aripiprazole have FDA approval for irritability associated with ASD in children and adolescents 2
- Patients with ODD and severe aggression may respond well to risperidone, with or without psychostimulants 3
- Quetiapine has minimal extrapyramidal side effects compared to typical antipsychotics, making it better tolerated 4
Dosing Schedule Implications
- The 400mg dose represents a substantial dose that should be given once daily for the XR formulation
- Metabolic side effects are concerning with atypical antipsychotics, requiring monitoring 2
- The extended-release formulation avoids the need for twice-daily dosing required with immediate-release quetiapine 5
Important Caveats
In utero cocaine exposure considerations:
- Neurobehavioral abnormalities from cocaine exposure (irritability, hyperactivity, tremors) typically manifest on postnatal days 2-3 and may persist 5
- These baseline behavioral issues may complicate assessment of medication efficacy and side effects 5
The XR formulation must remain intact to maintain the 24-hour therapeutic window—any crushing or splitting negates the extended-release properties 1