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Quetiapine

Also indexed as: Seroquel

Illustration

Quetiapine is used to treat symptoms associated with psychiatric disorders, such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking and speech, and bizarre behaviour. It is in a class of anti-psychotic drugs known as dibenzapines.

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, a herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized interactions.

Beneficial May Be Beneficial: Supportive interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication work better.

Food
Avoid Avoid: Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results.

Alcohol
Depletion or interference

None known
Side effect reduction/prevention

None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability

None known

An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Interaction with Food and Other Compounds

Food
Taking quetiapine with food increases both the absorption and the maximum blood concentration of the drug.1 Problems may arise when individuals switch from taking quetiapine with a meal to taking it on an empty stomach and vice versa. Therefore, people should consistently take quetiapine with a meal to enhance drug actions and to avoid potential problems.

Alcohol
Quetiapine aggravates the adverse effect of alcohol on mental and motor skills, which might have serious consequences.2 Therefore, people taking quetiapine should avoid drinking alcohol, especially when they must stay alert.

References

1. Sifton DW, ed. Physicians’ Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc. 2000, 562–6.

2. Sifton DW, ed. Physicians’ Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc. 2000, 562–6.