The versatility of the agents termed atypical antipsychotics has been proven again as quetiapine enters clinical practice in the United States as adjunct therapy or monotherapy for manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder.

“Seroquel (quetiapine) is a treatment which has benefited millions of patients worldwide who suffer from schizophrenia, and we look forward to bringing this treatment option to the 2.3 million Americans who suffer from bipolar disorder,” commented Don Beamish, the manufacturer’s product leader.

The drug was approved for use in the U.S. based on findings from a Mutual Recognition Procedure that involved analysis of results from 14 European countries in which quetiapine has been approved for use with manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder.

As with other antipsychotics, therapy with quetiapine should be used cautiously in patients with a history of seizures or with conditions that can potentially lower seizure threshold. The most common adverse events that have been associated with use of quetiapine are dizziness (10 percent), postural hypotension (7 percent), dry mouth (7 percent), and dyspepsia (6 percent); the majority of events were rated mild or moderate. To date, quetiapine has not had its effectiveness or safety tested in children.