17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

See FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide)

Prescribers or other health professionals should inform patients, their families, and their caregivers about the benefits and risks associated with treatment with quetiapine and should counsel them in its appropriate use. A patient Medication Guide about “Antidepressant Medicines, Depression and other Serious Mental Illness, and Suicidal Thoughts or Actions” is available for quetiapine. The prescriber or health professional should instruct patients, their families, and their caregivers to read the Medication Guide and should assist them in understanding its contents. Patients should be given the opportunity to discuss the contents of the Medication Guide and to obtain answers to any questions they may have. The complete text of the Medication Guide is reprinted at the end of this document.

Patients should be advised of the following issues and asked to alert their prescriber if these occur while taking quetiapine.

Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Patients and caregivers should be advised that elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs are at increased risk of death compared with placebo. Quetiapine is not approved for elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.1)].

Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

Patients, their families, and their caregivers should be encouraged to be alert to the emergence of anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, akathisia (psychomotor restlessness), hypomania, mania, other unusual changes in behavior, worsening of depression, and suicidal ideation, especially early during antidepressant treatment and when the dose is adjusted up or down. Families and caregivers of patients should be advised to look for the emergence of such symptoms on a day-to-day basis, since changes may be abrupt. Such symptoms should be reported to the patient's prescriber or health professional, especially if they are severe, abrupt in onset, or were not part of the patient's presenting symptoms. Symptoms such as these may be associated with an increased risk for suicidal thinking and behavior and indicate a need for very close monitoring and possibly changes in the medication [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.2)].

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)

Patients should be advised to report to their physician any signs or symptoms that may be related to NMS. These may include muscle stiffness and high fever [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.4)].

Hyperglycemia and Diabetes Mellitus

Patients should be aware of the symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and diabetes mellitus. Patients who are diagnosed with diabetes, those with risk factors for diabetes, or those that develop these symptoms during treatment should have their blood glucose monitored at the beginning of and periodically during treatment [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.5)].

Hyperlipidemia

Patients should be advised that elevations in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides and decreases in HDL- cholesterol may occur. Patients should have their lipid profile monitored at the beginning of and periodically during treatment [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.5)].

Weight Gain

Patients should be advised that they may experience weight gain. Patients should have their weight monitored regularly [seeWARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.5)].

Orthostatic Hypotension

Patients should be advised of the risk of orthostatic hypotension (symptoms include feeling dizzy or lightheaded upon standing, which may lead to falls), especially during the period of initial dose titration, and also at times of re-initiating treatment or increases in dose [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.7)].

Increased Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents

Children and adolescent patients should have their blood pressure measured at the beginning of, and periodically during, treatment [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.8)].

Leukopenia/Neutropenia

Patients with a pre-existing low WBC or a history of drug induced leukopenia/neutropenia should be advised that they should have their CBC monitored while taking quetiapine [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.9)].

Interference with Cognitive and Motor Performance

Patients should be advised of the risk of somnolence or sedation (which may lead to falls), especially during the period of initial dose titration. Patients should be cautioned about performing any activity requiring mental alertness, such as operating a motor vehicle (including automobiles) or operating machinery, until they are reasonably certain quetiapine therapy does not affect them adversely. [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.15)].

Heat Exposure and Dehydration

Patients should be advised regarding appropriate care in avoiding overheating and dehydration [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.16)].

Concomitant Medication

As with other medications, patients should be advised to notify their physicians if they are taking, or plan to take, any prescription or over-the-counter drugs. [see DRUG INTERACTIONS (7.1)].

Pregnancy and Nursing

Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant during therapy with quetiapine. [see USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS (8.1) and (8.3)].

Need for Comprehensive Treatment Program

Quetiapine is indicated as an integral part of a total treatment program for adolescents with schizophrenia and pediatric bipolar disorder that may include other measures (psychological, educational, and social). Effectiveness and safety of quetiapine have not been established in pediatric patients less than 13 years of age for schizophrenia or less than 10 years of age for bipolar mania. Appropriate educational placement is essential and psychosocial intervention is often helpful. The decision to prescribe atypical antipsychotic medication will depend upon the physician’s assessment of the chronicity and severity of the patient’s symptoms [see INDICATIONS AND USAGE (1.3)].

PT 1438-06

Medication Guide

Quetiapine Tablets

(kwe-TYE-a-peen)

Read this Medication Guide before you start taking quetiapine tablets and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or your treatment.

What is the most important information I should know about quetiapine?

Quetiapine may cause serious side effects, including:

1. risk of death in the elderly with dementia. Medicines like quetiapine can increase the risk of death in elderly people who have memory loss (dementia). Quetiapine is not for treating psychosis in the elderly with dementia.

2. risk of suicidal thoughts or actions (antidepressant medicines, depression and other serious mental illnesses, and suicidal thoughts or actions).

Talk to your or your family member’s healthcare provider about:
all risks and benefits of treatment with antidepressant medicines.
all treatment choices for depression or other serious mental illness

Antidepressant medications may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment.
Depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Some people may have a particularly high risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions. These include people who have (or have a family history of) depression, bipolar illness (also called manic-depressive illness), or suicidal thoughts or actions.
How can I watch for and try to prevent suicidal thoughts and actions in myself or a family member?

Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed.
Call the healthcare provider right away to report new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings.
Keep all follow-up visits with the healthcare provider as scheduled. Call the healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you have concerns about symptoms.

Call a healthcare provider right away if you or your family member has any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:

thoughts about suicide or dying
attempts to commit suicide
new or worse depression
new or worse anxiety
feeling very agitated or restless
panic attacks
trouble sleeping (insomnia)
new or worse irritability
acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
acting on dangerous impulses
an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
other unusual changes in behavior or mood

What else do I need to know about antidepressant medicines?

Never stop an antidepressant medicine without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping an antidepressant medicine suddenly can cause other symptoms.
Antidepressants are medicines used to treat depression and other illnesses. It is important to discuss all the risks of treating depression and also the risks of not treating it. Patients and their families or other caregivers should discuss all treatment choices with the healthcare provider, not just the use of antidepressants.
Antidepressant medicines have other side effects. Talk to the healthcare provider about the side effects of the medicine prescribed for you or your family member.
Antidepressant medicines can interact with other medicines. Know all of the medicines that you or your family member take. Keep a list of all medicines to show the healthcare provider. Do not start new medicines without first checking with your healthcare provider.
Not all antidepressant medicines prescribed for children are FDA approved for use in children. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider for more information.

What is quetiapine?

Quetiapine is a prescription medicine used to treat:

schizophrenia in people 13 years of age or older
bipolar disorder in adults, including:

depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder
manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder alone or with lithium or divalproex
long-term treatment of bipolar I disorder with lithium or divalproex

manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in children ages 10 to 17 years old.

It is not known if quetiapine is safe and effective in children under 10 years of age. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking quetiapine?

Before you take quetiapine, tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had:

diabetes or high blood sugar in you or your family. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start quetiapine and also during therapy
high levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides or LDL-cholesterol or low levels of HDL-cholesterol
low or high blood pressure x low white blood cell count x cataracts
seizures
abnormal thyroid tests
high prolactin levels
heart problems
liver problems
any other medical condition
pregnancy or plans to become pregnant. It is not known if quetiapine will harm your unborn baby.
Breast-feeding or plans to breast-feed. Quetiapine can pass into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take quetiapine or breast-feed. You should not do both.

Tell the healthcare provider about all the medicines that you take or recently have taken including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, herbal supplements and vitamins.

Quetiapine and other medicines may affect each other causing serious side effects. Quetiapine may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how quetiapine works.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are having a urine drug screen because quetiapine may affect your test results. Tell those giving the test that you are taking quetiapine.

How should I take quetiapine?

Take quetiapine exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Do not change the dose yourself.
Take quetiapine by mouth, with or without food.
If you feel you need to stop quetiapine, talk with your healthcare provider first. If you suddenly stop taking quetiapine, you may have side effects such as trouble sleeping or trouble staying asleep (insomnia), nausea, and vomiting.
If you miss a dose of quetiapine, take it as soon as you remember. If you are close to your next dose, skip the missed dose. Just take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time unless your healthcare provider tells you to. If you are not sure about your dosing, call your healthcare provider.

What should I avoid while taking quetiapine?

Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how quetiapine affects you. Quetiapinemay make you drowsy.

Avoid getting overheated or dehydrated.
Do not over-exercise.
In hot weather, stay inside in a cool place if possible.
Stay out of the sun. Do not wear too much or heavy clothing.

Drink plenty of water.

Do not drink alcohol while taking quetiapine. It may make some side effects of quetiapine worse.

What are possible side effects of quetiapine?

Quetiapine can cause serious side effects, including:

See “What is the most important information I should know about quetiapine?”
stroke that can lead to death can happen in elderly people with dementia who take medicines like quetiapine
neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). NMS is a rare but very serious condition that can happen in people who take antipsychotic medicines, including quetiapine. NMS can cause death and must be treated in a hospital. Call your healthcare provider right away if you become severely ill and have some or all of these symptoms:
high fever
excessive sweating
rigid muscles
confusion
changes in your breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure

high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). High blood sugar can happen if you have diabetes already or if you have never had diabetes. High blood sugar could lead to:

build up of acid in your blood due to ketones (ketoacidosis)
coma
death

Increases in blood sugar can happen in some people who take quetiapine. Extremely high blood sugar can lead to coma or death. If you have diabetes or risk factors for diabetes (such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes) your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start quetiapine and during therapy. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) while taking quetiapine:

feel very thirsty
need to urinate more than usual
feel very hungry
feel weak or tired
feel sick to your stomach
feel confused, or your breath smells fruity

high fat levels in your blood (increased cholesterol and triglycerides). High fat levels may happen in people treated with quetiapine. You may not have any symptoms, so your healthcare provider may decide to check your cholesterol and triglycerides during your treatment with quetiapine.
increase in weight (weight gain). Weight gain is common in people who take quetiapine so you and your healthcare provider should check your weight regularly. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to control weight gain, such as eating a healthy, balanced diet, and exercising.
movements you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts (tardive dyskinesia). These may be signs of a serious condition. Tardive dyskinesia may not go away, even if you stop taking quetiapine. Tardive dyskinesia may also start after you stop taking quetiapine.
decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension), including lightheadedness or fainting caused by a sudden change in heart rate and blood pressure when rising too quickly from a sitting or lying position.
increases in blood pressure in children and teenagers. Your healthcare provider should check blood pressure in children and adolescents before starting quetiapine and during therapy.
low white blood cell count
cataracts
seizures
abnormal thyroid tests. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your thyroid hormone level.
increases in prolactin levels. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your prolactin levels.
sleepiness, drowsiness, feeling tired, difficulty thinking and doing normal activities
increased body temperature
difficulty swallowing
trouble sleeping or trouble staying asleep (insomnia), nausea, or vomiting if you suddenly stop taking quetiapine. These symptoms usually get better 1 week after you start having them.

The most common side effects of quetiapine include:

In Adults:

dry mouth
dizziness
weakness
abdominal pain
constipation
sore throat
difficulty moving

In Children and Adolescents:

Nausea
Dry mouth
Weight gain
Increase appetite
Vomiting
Rapid heart beat

These are not all the possible side effects of quetiapine. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store quetiapine?

Store quetiapine at room temperature, between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
Keep quetiapine and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about the safe and effective use of quetiapine.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use quetiapinefor a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give quetiapine to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.

This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about quetiapine. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about quetiapine that is written for health professionals.

What are the ingredients in quetiapine? Active ingredient: quetiapine fumarate

Inactive ingredients: povidone, dibasic dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol and titanium dioxide.The 25 mg tablets contain red iron oxide and yellow iron oxide and the 100 mg, 150 mg and 400 mg tablets contain only yellow iron oxide.

This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Manufactured in India by:

Alkem Laboratories Limited

Mumbai – 400 013, INDIA

Distributed by:

Ascend Laboratories, LLC

Montvale, NJ07645

Revised: October 2015
PT 1439-02