Quetiapine Neuraxpharm contains a substance called quetiapine. This belongs to a group of medicines called antipsychotics. Quetiapine Neuraxpharm can be used to treat several illnesses, such as:
- Bipolar depression: where you feel sad. You may find that you feel depressed, feel guilty, lack energy, lose your appetite or can’t sleep.
- Mania: where you may feel very excited, elated, agitated, enthusiastic or hyperactive or have poor judgment including being aggressive or disruptive.
- Schizophrenia: where you may hear or feel things that are not there, believe things that are not true or feel unusually suspicious, anxious, confused, guilty, tense or depressed.
Your doctor may continue to prescribe Quetiapine Neuraxpharm even when you are feeling better.
2. What you need to know before you take Quetiapine Neuraxpharm
Do not take Quetiapine Neuraxpharm if:
- you are allergic to quetiapine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
- you are taking any of the following medicines:
o some medicines for HIV
o azole medicines (for fungal infections)
o erythromycin or clarithromycin (for infections) o nefazodone (for depression).
Do not take Quetiapine Neuraxpharm if the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Quetiapine Neuraxpharm.
Warnings and precautions
Before you take your medicine, tell your doctor if:
- You, or someone in your family have or have had any heart problems, for example heart rhythm problems or if you are taking any medicines that may have an impact on the way your heart beats.
- You have low blood pressure.
- You have problems with your liver.
- You have ever had a fit (seizure).
- You have had a stroke, especially if you are elderly.
- You have diabetes or have a risk of getting diabetes. If you do, your doctor may check your blood sugar levels while you are taking Quetiapine Neuraxpharm.
- You know that you have had low levels of white blood cells in the past (which may or may not have been caused by other medicines).
- You are an elderly person with dementia (loss of brain function). If you are, Quetiapine Neuraxpharm should not be taken because the group of medicines that quetiapine belongs to may increase the risk of stroke, or in some cases the risk of death, in elderly people with dementia.
- You or someone else in your family has a history of blood clots, as medicines like these have been associated with formation of blood clots.
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following after taking Quetiapine Neuraxpharm:
- A combination of fever, severe muscle stiffness, sweating or a lowered level of consciousness (a disorder called “neuroleptic malignant syndrome”). Immediate medical treatment may be needed.
- Uncontrollable movements, mainly of your face or tongue.
- Dizziness or a severe sense of feeling sleepy. This could increase the risk of accidental injury (fall) in elderly patients.
- Fits (seizures).
- A long-lasting and painful erection (Priapism).
These conditions can be caused by this type of medicine.
Thoughts of suicide and worsening of your depression
If you are depressed you may sometimes have thoughts of harming or killing yourself. These may be increased when first starting treatment, since these medicines all take time to work, usually about two weeks but sometimes longer. These thoughts may also be increased if you suddenly stop taking your medication. You may be more likely to think like this if you are a young adult. Information from clinical trials has shown an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and/or suicidal behavior in young adults aged less than 25 years with depression.
If you have thoughts of harming or killing yourself at any time, contact your doctor or go to a hospital straight away. You may find it helpful to tell a relative or close friend that you are depressed, and ask them to read this leaflet. You might ask them to tell you if they think your depression is getting worse, or if they are worried about changes in your behaviour.
Weight gain has been seen in patients taking quetiapine. You and your doctor should check your weight regularly.
Children and adolescents
Quetiapine is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age, due to a lack of data. Clinical trials of quetiapine have shown a higher frequency in children and adolescents compared to adults of symptoms such as: increased appetite, increase in blood pressure, increased feeling of a need to move often and changes in how your thyroid works.
Furthermore, it is not known how quetiapine impacts on growth and development.
Other medicines and Quetiapine Neuraxpharm
Please tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines because it may affect the way the medicine works. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription and herbal medicines.
Do not take Quetiapine Neuraxpharm if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- Some medicines for HIV.
- Azole medicines (for fungal infections).
- Erythromycin or clarithromycin (for infections).
- Nefazodone (for depression).
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- Epilepsy medicines (like phenytoin or carbamazepine).
- High blood pressure medicines.
- Barbiturates (for difficulty sleeping).
- Thioridazine (another anti-psychotic medicine).
- Medicines that have an impact on the way your heart beats, for example, drugs that can cause an imbalance in electrolytes (low levels of potassium or magnesium) such as diuretics (water pills) or certain antibiotics (drugs to treat infections).
Before you stop taking any of your medicines, please talk to your doctor first.
Quetiapine Neuraxpharm with food, drink and alcohol
- Quetiapine Neuraxpharm can be taken with or without food.
- Be careful how much alcohol you drink. This is because the combined effect of Quetiapine Neuraxpharm and alcohol can make you sleepy.
- Do not drink grapefruit juice while you are taking Quetiapine Neuraxpharm. It can affect the way the medicine works.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breast-feeding, talk to your doctor before taking Quetiapine Neuraxpharm. You should not take Quetiapine Neuraxpharm during pregnancy unless this has been discussed with your doctor. Quetiapine Neuraxpharm should not be taken if you are breast-feeding.
The following symptoms may occur in newborn babies, of mothers that have used Quetiapine Neuraxpharm in the last trimester (last three months of their pregnancy): shaking, muscle stiffness and/or weakness, sleepiness, agitation, breathing problems, and difficulty in feeding. If your baby develops any of these symptoms you may need to contact your doctor.
Driving and using machines
Your tablets may make you feel sleepy. Do not drive or use any tools or machines until you know how the tablets affect you.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Quetiapine Neuraxpharm
Quetiapine Neuraxpharm contains lactose which is a type of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
Effect on Urine Drug Screens
If you are having a urine drug screen, taking Quetiapine Neuraxpharm may cause positive results for methadone or certain drugs for depression called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) when some test methods are used, even though you may not be taking methadone or TCAs. If this happens, a more specific test can be performed.
