Quetiapine

Overview
Quetiapine (, kwe-TYE-a-peen), marketed by AstraZeneca with the brand name Seroquel, belongs to a series of neuroleptics known as "atypical antipsychotics", which have, over the last two decades, become increasingly popular alternatives to "typical antipsychotics", such as haloperidol.

Uses
Seroquel is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia as well as for the treatment of acute manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder, as either monotherapy or adjunct therapy to lithium or divalproex. Seroquel received its initial indication from the FDA for treatment of schizophrenia in 1997. In 2004, it received its second indication for the treatment of mania-associated bipolar disorder. Seroquel is controversially marketed to parents of moody and irritable teenagers in magazines such as Parade and TV Guide. It is sometimes used off-label, often as an augmentation agent, to treat such conditions as obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, restless legs syndrome, autism, alcoholism, Tourette syndrome, and has been used by physicians as a sedative for those with sleep disorders or anxiety disorders.

In 2005, Seroquel and other "atypical antipsychotics" were shown by the New England Journal of Medicine to be no more effective than perphenazine (Trilifon®), a typical antipsychotic, for the treatment of schizophrenia. However, the subsequent CATIE trial, funded by AstraZeneca and other major pharmaceutical manufacturers, contradicted the 2005 study in certain instances.

A 2005 British Medical Journal report showed that Seroquel was ineffective in reducing agitation among Alzheimer’s patients, whose consumption of the drug then constituted 29% of sales; in fact, Seroquel was found to make cognitive functioning worse in elderly patients with dementia.

The National Institutes of Health recommends against the use of Seroquel and almost all other psychotropic medications (including all atypicals, most anti-depressants, and all benzodiazepines) by children or those under 18, observing that teenagers taking Seroquel "may be more likely to think about harming or killing themselves or to plan or try to do so."

AstraZeneca's patent for Seroquel expires September 2011, which will allow other companies to manufacture Seroquel as its generic equivalent quetiapine.

Pharmacology
The antipsychotic effect of quetiapine is thought by some to be mediated through antagonist activity at dopamine and serotonin receptors. Specifically the D1 and D2 dopamine, the alpha 1 adrenoreceptor and alpha 2 adrenoreceptor, and 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 serotonin receptor subtypes are antagonized. Serial PET scans evaluating the D2 receptor occupancy of quetiapine have demonstrated that quetiapine very rapidly disassociates from the D2 receptor. Theoretically, this allows for normal physiological surges of dopamine to elicit their normal effects in areas such as the nigrostriatal and tuberoinfundibular pathways, thus minimizing the risk of side effects such as pseudo-parkinsonism as well as elevations in prolactin.

Quetiapine also has an antagonistic effect on the histamine H1 receptor. This is thought to be responsible for the sedative effect of the drug.

Forms
Quetiapine is available under the brand name Seroquel. It was originally available in 25 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg tablets. Since then, 50 mg and 400 mg tablets were added to increase dosing flexibility.

Quetiapine Sustained Release (SEROQUEL XR)
AstraZeneca has submitted a New Drug Application for a sustained release version of quetiapine in the United States, Canada, and the European Union in the second half of 2006 for treatment of schizophrenia. AstraZeneca will retain the exclusive right to market sustained release quetiapine until year 2017.

On May 18, 2007, AstraZeneca announced that U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved SEROQUEL XR for treatment of schizophrenia. During its 2007 Q2 earnings conference, AstraZeneca announced that it plans to launch SEROQUEL XR in the U.S. during August 2007. However, SEROQUEL XR is not yet available for purchase in pharmacies across the U.S., nor has AstraZeneca begun advertising for the drug as of October, 2007. The company has not provided a reason for the delay of SEROQUEL XR's launch.

Phase III trials are being conducted to prove quetiapine's efficacy in treating generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder as of January 2007. The company expects to file New Drug Application for treating generalized anxiety disorder in the second half of 2007 and for major depressive disorder in 2008.

Side effects
Seroquel has many side effects, some of them common, a few of them serious and life-threatening.

The most common side effect of Seroquel is sedation. It is prescribed specifically (off-label) for this effect in patients with sleep disorders. Beginning users may feel extremely tired and 'out of it' for the first few days, sometimes longer. Seroquel's newest indication, for bipolar depression, usually specifically calls for the entire dose to be taken before bedtime due to its sedative effects. Although quetiapine is approved by the FDA for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, it is frequently prescribed for off-label purposes, including insomnia and the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Common side effects include: constipation, headache, mild weight gain (or loss). Less common side effects (less than 1% of patients) include: abnormal liver tests, dizziness, upset stomach, substantial weight gain or weight loss, a stuffy nose, and increased paranoia.

There is a risk of development of tardive dyskinesia, an incurable neurological disorder, with any prolonged use of quetiapine and some other neuroleptic drugs. However, quetiapine is believed to cause tardive dyskinesia somewhat less often than typical antipsychotics based on the data sources which point to placebo-level incidence of extrapyramidal side effects.

The rare, but life-threatening neuroleptic malignant syndrome may also result from quetiapine use.

Weight gain can be a problem for some patients using quetiapine, by causing the patient's appetite to persist even after meals. However, this effect may occur to a lesser degree compared to some other atypical antipsychotics such as olanzapine or clozapine. As with other atypical antipsychotics, there is evidence suggesting a link to the development of diabetes and blood sugar disorders, however this remains controversial due to disparities between the results of studies.

In the United States, two separate lawsuits over claims that Seroquel use has led to diabetes have been filed in federal court.

Studies conducted on beagles have resulted in the formation of cataracts&mdash;while there are reports of cataracts occurring in humans, controlled studies including thousands of patients have not demonstrated a clear causal association between quetiapine therapy and this side effect. (Reference needed to April 2006 results of CATIE study.) However, the Seroquel® website still recommends users have eye examinations every six months.

As with some other antipsychotics, quetiapine may lower the seizure threshold, and should be taken with care in combination with drugs such as bupropion and the benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam), as they also lower the seizure threshold.

Addiction and abuse
Seroquel is not currently classified as a controlled substance. Reports of quetiapine abuse have emerged in the medical literature, however, and while the drug is usually abused through the crushing and snorting of tablets (insufflation), there have also been reports of intravenous abuse and intravenous co-administration with cocaine. A 2004 report recorded a 30% rate of inmate use in the Los Angeles County Jail, where the drug was obtained by inmates faking schizophrenic symptoms and resold under the street name "quell." Also known as "Susie-Q," the drug may be more commonly abused in prisons due to its capacity to be regularly prescribed as a sedative and the unavailability in prison of more commonly-abused substances. It is unique among common "atypical antipsychotics" in showing a capacity for dependence, with inmates threatening legal action and suicide if not given prescriptions.

Seroquel abuse was mentioned in the 2003 rap song "Oxy Cotton" by Lil Wyte:


 * Take a chill pill to slow me down and git back in this game
 * Gatta be up on ya P's and Q's to even feel it main...
 * Some people melt 'em down in a needle and shoot 'em up
 * But I pop 'em with Seroquel like glue, I am stuck.

Along with benzodiazepines, atypical antipsychotics have sometimes been used to "come down" off amphetamines. When used in this manner the slang term "downer" is often applied.