The quetiapine: 3 medicines in a single molecule: a brief review and update
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25118/2763-9037.2023.v13.1054Keywords:
pharmacology, psychopathology, quetiapine fumarate, quetiapine, off-label useAbstract
Introduction: Knowledge about the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders has increased in recent decades, in the same way that psychopharmacology has generated new insights into the mechanism of action and application of modern antipsychotics. Objective: Quetiapine stands out as one of the main and most widespread molecules in the group, which is why it deserves to be better understood in its various aspects, the reason for this update. Method: We conducted a brief review and update on various aspects of quetiapine, from components of its pharmacological action, recently described side effects, to new indications in modern psychiatry. Results: The quetiapine molecule is very versatile, having a broad spectrum of actions and indications, not restricted to its antipsychotic class and extrapolating to clinical situations such as insomnia, unipolar and bipolar depression, anxiety disorders, borderline personality disorder, delirium, abuse of comorbid substances, and others. Quetiapine has hypnotic effects at low doses, mood effects at intermediate doses, and antipsychotic effects at higher doses.
Its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as in childhood and the elderly, further expands its range of indications. Care must be taken with discontinuation syndrome and its metabolic effects, but sedation and weight gain are its main side effects. Conclusion: Quetiapine proves to be a highly useful molecule for several psychiatric conditions that represent public health problems, given its global prevalence. Its safety and good tolerability, in addition to a broad spectrum of indications, make it a promising molecule for use in basic care and clinical settings for severe psychiatric disorders that are resistant to conventional treatments.
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