Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor to benefit your condition as much as possible. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Read it again each time you refill your prescription in case there is new information. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Quetiapine tablets may be taken with or without food on a full or empty stomach. However, if your doctor tells you to take it a certain way, take it as directed.

Swallow the extended-release tablets whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it. It is best to take this medicine without food or with a light meal (approximately 300 calories).

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
    • For treatment of depression with bipolar disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) once a day in the evening. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 300 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
    • For treatment of mania with bipolar disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 300 milligrams (mg) once a day in the evening. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 800 mg per day.
      • Children 10 to 17 years of age—At first, 50 mg once a day in the evening. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 600 mg per day.
      • Children younger than 10 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
    • For treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD):
      • Adults—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) once a day in the evening. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 300 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
    • For treatment of schizophrenia:
      • Adults—At first, 300 milligrams (mg) once a day in the evening. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 800 mg per day.
      • Children 13 to 17 years of age—At first, 50 mg once a day in the evening. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 800 mg per day.
      • Children younger than 13 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For treatment of depression with bipolar disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) once a day at bedtime. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 300 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
    • For treatment of mania with bipolar disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 800 mg per day.
      • Children 10 to 17 years of age—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 600 mg per day.
      • Children younger than 10 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
    • For treatment of schizophrenia:
      • Adults—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 750 mg per day.
      • Children 13 to 17 years of age—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 800 mg per day.
      • Children younger than 13 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.