Quetiapine Fumarate
Warnings
What may interact with Quetiapine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
-cisapride
-dronedarone
-metoclopramide
-pimozide
-thioridazine
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
-alcohol
-antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold
-atropine
-avasimibe
-certain antivirals for HIV or hepatitis
-certain medicines for anxiety or sleep
-certain medicines for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine
-certain medicines for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, nefazodone, sertraline
-certain medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole
-certain medicines for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine
-certain medicines for travel sickness like scopolamine
-cimetidine
-general anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
-ipratropium
-levodopa or other medicines for Parkinson''s disease
-medicines for blood pressure
-medicines for seizures
-medicines that relax muscles for surgery
-narcotic medicines for pain
-other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)
-phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine
-rifampin
-St. John''s wort
What should I tell my health care provider before I take Quetiapine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-blockage in your bowel
-cataracts
-constipation
-dementia
-diabetes
-difficulty swallowing
-glaucoma
-heart disease
-high levels of prolactin
-history of breast cancer
-history of irregular heartbeat
-liver disease
-low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
-low blood pressure
-Parkinson''s disease
-prostate disease
-seizures
-suicidal thoughts, plans or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member
-thyroid disease
-trouble passing urine
-an unusual or allergic reaction to quetiapine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-breast-feeding
What should I watch for while using Quetiapine?
Visit your health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care professional if symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not stop taking except on your health care professional''s advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your health care professional will tell you how much medicine to take.
You may need to have an eye exam before and during use of this medicine.
This medicine may increase blood sugar. Ask your health care provider if changes in diet or medicines are needed if you have diabetes.
Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening depression or thoughts of suicide. Also watch out for sudden or severe changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of antidepressant treatment or after a change in dose, call your health care professional.
You may get dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
This drug can cause problems with controlling your body temperature. It can lower the response of your body to cold temperatures. If possible, stay indoors during cold weather. If you must go outdoors, wear warm clothes. It can also lower the response of your body to heat. Do not overheat. Do not over-exercise. Stay out of the sun when possible. If you must be in the sun, wear cool clothing. Drink plenty of water. If you have trouble controlling your body temperature, call your health care provider right away.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
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