Seroquel Side Effects

Please note - some side effects for Seroquel may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Seroquel - for the Consumer

Seroquel

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Seroquel:

Constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; lightheadedness; nasal congestion; sore throat; stomach pain or upset; tiredness; vomiting; weakness; weight gain.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; increased saliva production or drooling; increased sweating; memory loss; menstrual changes; muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, aggressiveness, agitation, depression, exaggerated feeling of well-being, hallucination, hostility, impulsiveness, inability to sit still, irritability, panic attacks, restlessness); numbness or tingling; persistent, painful erection; seizures; severe or prolonged dizziness or headache; shortness of breath; swelling of the hands, legs, or feet; symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, increased thirst, hunger, or urination; unusual weakness); tremor; trouble concentrating, speaking, or swallowing; trouble walking or standing; uncontrolled muscle movements (eg, arm or leg movements, jerking or twisting, twitching of the face or tongue); vision changes.

Seroquel XR Sustained-Release Tablets

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Seroquel XR Sustained-Release Tablets:

Constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; lightheadedness; stomach upset; weight gain.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; increased saliva production or drooling; increased sweating; memory loss; menstrual changes; muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, aggressiveness, agitation, depression, exaggerated feeling of well-being, hallucination, hostility, impulsiveness, inability to sit still, irritability, panic attacks, restlessness); numbness or tingling; persistent, painful erection; seizures; severe or prolonged dizziness or headache; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or actions; swelling of the hands, legs, or feet; symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, increased hunger, thirst, or urination; unusual weakness); tremor; trouble concentrating, speaking, or swallowing; trouble sitting still; trouble walking or standing; uncontrolled muscle movements (eg, arm or leg movements, jerking or twisting, twitching of the face or tongue); vision changes.

Seroquel Side Effects - for the Professional

Seroquel

The information below is derived from a clinical trial database for Seroquel consisting of over 3700 patients. This database includes 698 patients exposed to Seroquel for the treatment of bipolar depression, 405 patients exposed to Seroquel for the treatment of acute bipolar mania (monotherapy and adjunct therapy) and approximately 2600 patients and/or normal subjects exposed to 1 or more doses of Seroquel for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Of these approximately 3700 subjects, approximately 3400 (2300 in schizophrenia, 405 in acute bipolar mania, and 698 in bipolar depression) were patients who participated in multiple dose effectiveness trials, and their experience corresponded to approximately 992.6 patient-years. The conditions and duration of treatment with Seroquel varied greatly and included (in overlapping categories) open-label and double-blind phases of studies, inpatients and outpatients, fixed-dose and dose-titration studies, and short-term or longer-term exposure. Adverse reactions were assessed by collecting adverse events, results of physical examinations, vital signs, weights, laboratory analyses, ECGs, and results of ophthalmologic examinations.

Adverse events during exposure were obtained by general inquiry and recorded by clinical investigators using terminology of their own choosing. Consequently, it is not possible to provide a meaningful estimate of the proportion of individuals experiencing adverse events without first grouping similar types of events into a smaller number of standardized event categories.

In the tables and tabulations that follow, standard COSTART terminology has been used to classify reported adverse events for schizophrenia and bipolar mania. MedDRA terminology has been used to classify reported adverse events for bipolar depression.

The stated frequencies of adverse events represent the proportion of individuals who experienced, at least once, a treatment-emergent adverse event of the type listed. An event was considered treatment emergent if it occurred for the first time or worsened while receiving therapy following baseline evaluation.

Adverse Findings Observed in Short-Term, Controlled Trials

Bipolar Disorder:

Depression:

Overall, discontinuations due to adverse events were 12.3% for Seroquel 300 mg vs 19.0% for Seroquel 600 mg and 5.2% for placebo.

Mania:

Overall, discontinuations due to adverse events were 5.7% for Seroquel vs. 5.1% for placebo in monotherapy and 3.6% for Seroquel vs. 5.9% for placebo in adjunct therapy.

Schizophrenia: Overall, there was little difference in the incidence of discontinuation due to adverse events (4% for Seroquel vs. 3% for placebo) in a pool of controlled trials. However, discontinuations due to somnolence and hypotension were considered to be drug related:

The prescriber should be aware that the figures in the tables and tabulations cannot be used to predict the incidence of side effects in the course of usual medical practice where patient characteristics and other factors differ from those that prevailed in the clinical trials. Similarly, the cited frequencies cannot be compared with figures obtained from other clinical investigations involving different treatments, uses, and investigators. The cited figures, however, do provide the prescribing physician with some basis for estimating the relative contribution of drug and nondrug factors to the side effect incidence in the population studied.

Table 2 enumerates the incidence, rounded to the nearest percent, of treatment-emergent adverse events that occurred during acute therapy of schizophrenia (up to 6 weeks) and bipolar mania (up to 12 weeks) in 1% or more of patients treated with Seroquel (doses ranging from 75 to 800 mg/day) where the incidence in patients treated with Seroquel was greater than the incidence in placebo-treated patients.

In these studies, the most commonly observed adverse events associated with the use of Seroquel (incidence of 5% or greater) and observed at a rate on Seroquel at least twice that of placebo were somnolence (18%), dizziness (11%), dry mouth (9%), constipation (8%), SGPT increased (5%), weight gain (5%), and dyspepsia (5%).

Table 3 enumerates the incidence, rounded to the nearest percent, of treatment-emergent adverse events that occurred during therapy (up to 3-weeks) of acute mania in 5% or more of patients treated with Seroquel (doses ranging from 100 to 800 mg/day) used as adjunct therapy to lithium and divalproex where the incidence in patients treated with Seroquel was greater than the incidence in placebo-treated patients.

In these studies, the most commonly observed adverse events associated with the use of Seroquel (incidence of 5% or greater) and observed at a rate on Seroquel at least twice that of placebo were somnolence (34%), dry mouth (19%), asthenia (10%), constipation (10%), abdominal pain (7%), postural hypotension (7%), pharyngitis (6%), and weight gain (6%).

Table 4 enumerates the incidence, rounded to the nearest percent, of treatment-emergent adverse events that occurred during therapy (up to 8-weeks) of bipolar depression in 5% or more of patients treated with Seroquel (doses of 300 and 600 mg/day) where the incidence in patients treated with Seroquel was greater than the incidence in placebo treated patients.

In these studies, the most commonly observed adverse events associated with the use of Seroquel (incidence of 5% or greater) and observed at a rate on Seroquel at least twice that of placebo were dry mouth (44%), sedation (30%), somnolence (28%), dizziness (18%), constipation (10%), lethargy (5%), and nasal congestion (5%).

Explorations for interactions on the basis of gender, age, and race did not reveal any clinically meaningful differences in the adverse event occurrence on the basis of these demographic factors.

Dose Dependency of Adverse Events in Short-Term, Placebo-Controlled Trials

Spontaneously elicited adverse event data from a study of schizophrenia comparing five fixed doses of Seroquel (75 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg, 600 mg, and 750 mg/day) to placebo were explored for dose-relatedness of adverse events. Logistic regression analyses revealed a positive dose response (p<0.05) for the following adverse events: dyspepsia, abdominal pain, and weight gain.

Extrapyramidal Symptoms: Data from one 6-week clinical trial of schizophrenia comparing five fixed doses of Seroquel (75, 150, 300, 600, 750 mg/day) provided evidence for the lack of treatment-emergent extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and dose-relatedness for EPS associated with Seroquel treatment. Three methods were used to measure EPS: (1) Simpson-Angus total score (mean change from baseline) which evaluates parkinsonism and akathisia, (2) incidence of spontaneous complaints of EPS (akathisia, akinesia, cogwheel rigidity, extrapyramidal syndrome, hypertonia, hypokinesia, neck rigidity, and tremor), and (3) use of anticholinergic medications to treat emergent EPS.

In six additional placebo-controlled clinical trials (3 in acute mania and 3 in schizophrenia) using variable doses of Seroquel, there were no differences between the Seroquel and placebo treatment groups in the incidence of EPS, as assessed by Simpson-Angus total scores, spontaneous complaints of EPS and the use of concomitant anticholinergic medications to treat EPS.

In two placebo-controlled clinical trials for the treatment of bipolar depression using 300 mg and 600 mg of Seroquel, the incidence of adverse events potentially related to EPS was 12% in both dose groups and 6% in the placebo group. In these studies, the incidence of the individual adverse events (eg, akathisia, extrapyramidal disorder, tremor, dyskinesia, dystonia, restlessness, muscle contractions involuntary, psychomotor hyperactivity and muscle rigidity) were generally low and did not exceed 4% in any treatment group.

The 3 treatment groups were similar in mean change in SAS total score and BARS Global Assessment score at the end of treatment. The use of concomitant anticholinergic medications was infrequent and similar across the three treatment groups.

Vital Signs and Laboratory Studies

Vital Sign Changes: Seroquel is associated with orthostatic hypotension.

Weight Gain: In schizophrenia trials the proportions of patients meeting a weight gain criterion of ≥7% of body weight were compared in a pool of four 3- to 6-week placebo-controlled clinical trials, revealing a statistically significantly greater incidence of weight gain for Seroquel (23%) compared to placebo (6%). In mania monotherapy trials the proportions of patients meeting the same weight gain criterion were 21% compared to 7% for placebo and in mania adjunct therapy trials the proportion of patients meeting the same weight criterion were 13% compared to 4% for placebo. In bipolar depression trials, the proportions of patients meeting the same weight gain criterion were 8% compared to 2% for placebo.

Laboratory Changes: An assessment of the premarketing experience for Seroquel suggested that it is associated with asymptomatic increases in SGPT and increases in both total cholesterol and triglycerides.

In placebo controlled monotherapy clinical trials involving 3368 patients on Seroquel and 1515 on placebo, the incidence of at least one occurrence of neutrophil count <1.0 x 109/L among patients with a normal baseline neutrophil count and at least one available follow up laboratory measurement was 0.3% (10/2967) in patients treated with Seroquel, compared to 0.1% (2/1349) in patients treated with placebo.

In post-marketing clinical trials, elevations in total cholesterol (predominantly LDL cholesterol) have been observed.

Hyperglycemia In 2 long-term placebo-controlled clinical trials, mean exposure 213 days for Seroquel (646 patients) and 152 days for placebo (680 patients), the exposure-adjusted rate of any increased blood glucose level (≥ 126 mg/dl) for patients more than 8 hours since a meal was 18.0 per 100 patient years for Seroquel (10.7% of patients) and 9.5 for placebo per 100 patient years (4.6% of patients).

In short-term (12 weeks duration or less) placebo-controlled clinical trials (3342 patients treated with Seroquel and 1490 treated with placebo), the percent of patients who had a fasting blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dl or a non fasting blood glucose ≥ 200 mg/dl was 3.5% for quetiapine and 2.1% for placebo.

In a 24 week trial (active-controlled, 115 patients treated with Seroquel) designed to evaluate glycemic status with oral glucose tolerance testing of all patients, at week 24 the incidence of a treatment-emergent post-glucose challenge glucose level ≥ 200 mg/dl was 1.7% and the incidence of a fasting treatment-emergent post-glucose challenge glucose level ≥ 126 mg/dl was 2.6%.

ECG Changes: Between group comparisons for pooled placebo-controlled trials revealed no statistically significant Seroquel/placebo differences in the proportions of patients experiencing potentially important changes in ECG parameters, including QT, QTc, and PR intervals. However, the proportions of patients meeting the criteria for tachycardia were compared in four 3- to 6-week placebo-controlled clinical trials for the treatment of schizophrenia revealing a 1% (4/399) incidence for Seroquel compared to 0.6% (1/156) incidence for placebo. In acute (monotherapy) bipolar mania trials the proportions of patients meeting the criteria for tachycardia was 0.5% (1/192) for Seroquel compared to 0% (0/178) incidence for placebo. In acute bipolar mania (adjunct) trials the proportions of patients meeting the same criteria was 0.6% (1/166) for Seroquel compared to 0% (0/171) incidence for placebo. In bipolar depression trials, no patients had heart rate increases to > 120 beats per minute. Seroquel use was associated with a mean increase in heart rate, assessed by ECG, of 7 beats per minute compared to a mean increase of 1 beat per minute among placebo patients. This slight tendency to tachycardia may be related to Seroquel's potential for inducing orthostatic changes.

Other Adverse Events Observed During the Pre-Marketing Evaluation of Seroquel

Following is a list of COSTART terms that reflect treatment-emergent adverse events as defined in the introduction to the ADVERSE REACTIONS section reported by patients treated with Seroquel at multiple doses ≥75 mg/day during any phase of a trial within the premarketing database of approximately 2200 patients treated for schizophrenia. All reported events are included except those already listed in Table 2 or elsewhere in labeling, those events for which a drug cause was remote, and those event terms which were so general as to be uninformative. It is important to emphasize that, although the events reported occurred during treatment with Seroquel, they were not necessarily caused by it.

Events are further categorized by body system and listed in order of decreasing frequency according to the following definitions: frequent adverse events are those occurring in at least 1/100 patients (only those not already listed in the tabulated results from placebo-controlled trials appear in this listing); infrequent adverse events are those occurring in 1/100 to 1/1000 patients; rare events are those occurring in fewer than 1/1000 patients.

Nervous System: Frequent: hypertonia, dysarthria; Infrequent: abnormal dreams, dyskinesia, thinking abnormal, tardive dyskinesia, vertigo, involuntary movements, confusion, amnesia, psychosis, hallucinations, hyperkinesia, libido increased*, urinary retention, incoordination, paranoid reaction, abnormal gait, myoclonus, delusions, manic reaction, apathy, ataxia, depersonalization, stupor, bruxism, catatonic reaction, hemiplegia; Rare: aphasia, buccoglossal syndrome, choreoathetosis, delirium, emotional lability, euphoria, libido decreased*, neuralgia, stuttering, subdural hematoma.

Body as a Whole:Frequent: flu syndrome; Infrequent: neck pain, pelvic pain*, suicide attempt, malaise, photosensitivity reaction, chills, face edema, moniliasis; Rare: abdomen enlarged.

Digestive System:Frequent: anorexia; Infrequent: increased salivation, increased appetite, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase increased, gingivitis, dysphagia, flatulence, gastroenteritis, gastritis, hemorrhoids, stomatitis, thirst, tooth caries, fecal incontinence, gastroesophageal reflux, gum hemorrhage, mouth ulceration, rectal hemorrhage, tongue edema; Rare: glossitis, hematemesis, intestinal obstruction, melena, pancreatitis.

Cardiovascular System: Frequent: palpitation; Infrequent: vasodilatation, QT interval prolonged, migraine, bradycardia, cerebral ischemia, irregular pulse, T wave abnormality, bundle branch block, cerebrovascular accident, deep thrombophlebitis, T wave inversion; Rare: angina pectoris, atrial fibrillation, AV block first degree, congestive heart failure, ST elevated, thrombophlebitis, T wave flattening, ST abnormality, increased QRS duration.

Respiratory System:Frequent: pharyngitis, rhinitis, cough increased, dyspnea; Infrequent: pneumonia, epistaxis, asthma; Rare: hiccup, hyperventilation.

Metabolic and Nutritional System: Frequent: peripheral edema; Infrequent: weight loss, alkaline phosphatase increased, hyperlipemia, alcohol intolerance, dehydration, hyperglycemia, creatinine increased, hypoglycemia; Rare: glycosuria, gout, hand edema, hypokalemia, water intoxication.

Skin and Appendages System: Frequent: sweating; Infrequent: pruritus, acne, eczema, contact dermatitis, maculopapular rash, seborrhea, skin ulcer; Rare: exfoliative dermatitis, psoriasis, skin discoloration.

Urogenital System:Infrequent: dysmenorrhea*, vaginitis*, urinary incontinence, metrorrhagia*, impotence*, dysuria, vaginal moniliasis*, abnormal ejaculation*, cystitis, urinary frequency, amenorrhea*, female lactation*, leukorrhea*, vaginal hemorrhage*, vulvovaginitis* orchitis*; Rare: gynecomastia*, nocturia, polyuria, acute kidney failure.

Special Senses:Infrequent: conjunctivitis, abnormal vision, dry eyes, tinnitus, taste perversion, blepharitis, eye pain; Rare: abnormality of accommodation, deafness, glaucoma.

Musculoskeletal System: Infrequent: pathological fracture, myasthenia, twitching, arthralgia, arthritis, leg cramps, bone pain.

Hemic and Lymphatic System:Frequent: leukopenia; Infrequent: leukocytosis, anemia, ecchymosis, eosinophilia, hypochromic anemia; lymphadenopathy, cyanosis; Rare: hemolysis, thrombocytopenia.

Endocrine System: Infrequent: hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus; Rare: hyperthyroidism.

*adjusted for gender

Post Marketing Experience:

Adverse events reported since market introduction which were temporally related to Seroquel therapy include: anaphylactic reaction and restless legs.

Other adverse events reported since market introduction, which were temporally related to Seroquel therapy, but not necessarily causally related, include the following: agranulocytosis, cardiomyopathy, hyponatremia, myocarditis, rhabdomyolysis, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), and Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS).

Side Effects by Body System

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included agitation (20%), somnolence (18%), dizziness (11%), tremor (8%), and anxiety (4%). Hypertonia, dysarthria, abnormal dreams, dyskinesia, abnormal thinking, tardive dyskinesia, vertigo, involuntary movements, confusion, amnesia, hyperkinesia, increased libido, incoordination, abnormal gait, myoclonus, apathy, ataxia, stupor, bruxism, hemiplegia, aphasia, buccoglossal syndrome, choreoathetosis, delirium, decreased libido, neuralgia, stuttering, akathisia, dystonia, parkinsonism, and subdural hematoma have also been reported; however, causality has not been established. Two cases of neuroleptic malignant syndrome that may possibly have been related to quetiapine use have also been reported. One case of quetiapine-associated restless leg syndrome has been reported.

Nervous system side effects specifically associated with the extended-release tablets have included sedation (13%), somnolence (12%), and dizziness (10%).

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included dry mouth (9%), constipation (8%), vomiting (6%), dyspepsia (5%), gastroenteritis (2%), and increased gamma glutamyl transpeptidase level (1%). Anorexia, increased salivation, increased appetite, gingivitis, dysphagia, flatulence, gastroenteritis, gastritis, hemorrhoids, stomatitis, thirst, tooth caries, fecal incontinence, gastroesophageal reflux, gum hemorrhage, mouth ulceration, rectal hemorrhage tongue edema, glossitis, hematemesis, intestinal obstruction, melena, and pancreatitis have also been reported; however, causality has not been established.

Gastrointestinal side effects specifically associated with the extended-release tablets have included dry mouth (12%), constipation (6%), and dyspepsia (5%).

Cardiovascular

Collective data gathered from 17 placebo-controlled clinical studies (n=5106) involving the use of atypical antipsychotic agents, including quetiapine, for the treatment of behavioral disorders in the elderly patient with dementia showed a risk of death 1.6 to 1.7 times greater in the drug-treated patient than in the placebo-treated patient. The average length of duration for the trials was 10 weeks with the cause of death in the majority of cases, though not all, reported as either cardiovascular (e.g., heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (e.g., pneumonia) in nature. Similar results (i.e., increased risk of mortality with atypical antipsychotics) were reported in another meta-analysis involving elderly dementia patients that consisted of 15 randomized, placebo-controlled trials (n=3353) of 10 to 12 weeks in duration. Quetiapine is not approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of behavioral disorders in elderly patients with dementia.

An increased risk of mortality, possibly due to heart failure or sudden death, has been reported with the use of atypical antipsychotic agents in the treatment of behavioral disorders in the elderly patient with dementia.

The results of a large retrospective cohort study appear to indicate that atypical antipsychotic agents (i.e., risperidone, olanzapine, clozapine, quetiapine) increase the risk of venous thromboembolism in elderly patients; however, these events seem to be rare.

Cardiovascular side effects have included tachycardia (6%), postural hypotension (4%), and palpitation. Vasodilatation, QT interval prolongation, bradycardia, cerebral ischemia, irregular pulse, T wave abnormality, bundle branch block, cerebrovascular accident, venous thromboembolism, T wave inversion, anginal pectoris, atrial fibrillation, first degree atrioventricular (AV) block, congestive heart failure, elevated ST, thrombophlebitis, T wave flattening, ST abnormality, cardiomyopathy (including fatal cardiomyopathy), myocarditis, and increased QRS duration have also been reported.

Cardiovascular side effects specifically associated with the extended-release tablets have included orthostatic hypotension (7%).

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects have included hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and hyperthyroidism. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) has also been associated with quetiapine use.

A study of U.S. military veterans with schizophrenia has reported that patients on quetiapine had 3.34 times as many cases of diabetes when compared to patients taking decades old drugs for psychosis including haloperidol, thioridazine, and others.

Additional studies have confirmed that patients receiving atypical antipsychotics (i.e., clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone) are at an increased risk of developing hyperglycemia and/or diabetes mellitus.

Treatment with quetiapine has been shown to cause significant decreases in total serum thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels and a significant increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels after 6 weeks of therapy.

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included weight gain, increased SGPT, and increased SGOT in 5% of patients. Weight loss, hyperglycemia, and hypoglycemia have been reported infrequently.

Treatment with quetiapine has been associated with moderate weight gain. Most of the weight gain (greater than 60%) appears to occur within the first 12 weeks of therapy with modest changes occurring after 6 months. In one study, the mean weight gain after 1 and 2 years of treatment with quetiapine was 3.19 kg (7 lbs) and 5.16 kg (11 lbs), respectively. The weight gain reported with quetiapine does not appear to be dose-related.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included rash (4%) and sweating. Pruritus, acne, eczema, contact dermatitis, maculopapular rash, seborrhea, skin ulcer, exfoliative dermatitis, psoriasis, and skin discoloration have also been reported; however, causality has not been established. A rare case of erythema multiforme minor, that resolved following discontinuation of quetiapine, has been reported.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included pharyngitis (6%) and rhinitis (3%). Increased cough, dyspnea, pneumonia, epistaxis, asthma, hiccup, and hyperventilation have also been reported; however, causality has not been established. A single case of hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis has been reported. One case of acute respiratory failure has been reported.

Collective data gathered from 17 placebo-controlled clinical studies (n=5106) involving the use of atypical antipsychotic agents, including quetiapine, for the treatment of behavioral disorders in the elderly patient with dementia showed a risk of death 1.6 to 1.7 times greater in the drug- treated patient than in the placebo-treated patient. The average length of duration for the trials was 10 weeks with the cause of death in the majority of cases, though not all, reported as either cardiovascular (e.g., heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (e.g., pneumonia) in nature. Quetiapine is not approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of behavioral disorders in elderly patients with dementia.

An increased risk of mortality, possibly due to an infection, such as pneumonia, has been reported with the use of atypical antipsychotic agents in the treatment of behavioral disorders in the elderly patient with dementia.

A case of acute respiratory failure has been reported in a patient with COPD following a single oral dose of 50 mg.

Other

Other side effects have included headache (21%), pain (7%), asthenia (5%), abdominal pain (4%), back pain (3%), fever (2%), and ear pain (1%). Flu syndrome, neck pain, pelvic pain, suicide attempt, malaise, photosensitivity reaction, chills, face edema, moniliasis, enlarged abdomen, migraine, peripheral edema, increased alkaline phosphatase level, hyperlipemia, alcohol intolerance, dehydration, increased creatinine, glycosuria, gout, hand edema, hypokalemia, tinnitus, deafness, and water intoxication have also been reported; however, causality has not been established.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included leukopenia, leukocytosis, anemia, ecchymosis, eosinophilia, hypochromic anemia, lymphadenopathy, cyanosis, hemolysis, and thrombocytopenia; however, causality has not been established. In postmarketing clinical trials, elevations in total cholesterol (predominantly LDL cholesterol) have been observed. A single case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura has been reported.

Ocular

One case of photopsia associated with high-dose quetiapine (1000 mg daily) has been reported. Symptoms resolved following a reduction in dose (900 mg daily).

Ocular side effects have included amblyopia (2%). Conjunctivitis, abnormal vision, dry eyes, blepharitis, eye pain, abnormality of accommodation, and glaucoma have also been reported; however, causality has not been established. One case of cataracts has been reported. One case of photopsia has been reported.

Genitourinary

A 48- year- old female with no prior history of urinary retention presented to the emergency room unable to void several months after initiating treatment with quetiapine. The patient self prescribed an increase in dosage from 900 mg/day to 1800 mg/day several weeks prior to this incident. Ten days prior to the visit to the emergency department she increased dosage again to 2400 mg/day. The urinary retention resolved within 48 hours of decreasing dosage back to the prescribed 900 mg/day. Urinary hesitancy developed again two months later after the patient again increased her dosage to 1800 mg/day without medical advice. The condition again resolved following a return to a dosage of 900 mg/day.

Genitourinary side effects have included dysmenorrhea, vaginitis, urinary incontinence, metrorrhagia, impotence, dysuria, vaginal moniliasis, abnormal ejaculation, cystitis, urinary frequency, amenorrhea, female lactation, leukorrhea, vaginal hemorrhage, vulvovaginitis, orchitis, gynecomastia, nocturia, and polyuria; however, causality has not been established. Rare cases of priapism have been reported with quetiapine use.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included pathological fracture, myasthenia, twitching, arthralgia, arthritis, leg cramps, and bone pain; however, causality has not been established. Rare cases of rhabdomyolysis have been reported.

Two cases of rhabdomyolysis have been reported. One case occurred as a result of a quetiapine overdose and the second occurred after 14 days of quetiapine therapy (25 mg/day). In the second case, elevated serum creatinine kinase and liver enzyme levels gradually returned to normal following discontinuation of quetiapine.

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included psychosis, hallucinations, paranoid reactions, delusions, manic reaction, depersonalization, catatonic reaction, emotional lability, suicide attempt, and euphoria.

Renal

Renal side effects have included acute kidney failure; however, causality has not been established.

Hepatic

A 30-year-old patient experienced acute symptoms of cholestasis after 8 years of risperidone therapy. Once the drug was discontinued, the symptoms resolved completely. Eleven months later, quetiapine was introduced and the patient once again developed acute symptoms of cholestasis which later resolved after quetiapine discontinuation.

Hepatic side effects including at least one case of delayed-onset cholestasis have been reported.

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