Abstract
Extended release quetiapine (quetiapine XR) is a novel form of a second-generation dibenzothiazepine antipsychotic drug, quetiapine. While both forms of quetiapine have comparable pharmacodynamic profiles, they differ in their pharmacokinetic properties.
The added value of quetiapine XR is its simple dosing. Once daily quetiapine XR cam promote adherence to therapy.
Quetiapine XR proved clinically effective in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (acute treatment of manic and depressive apisodes). Promising results of quetiapine XR efficacy trials in generalized anxiety disorder have also been reported.
Quetiapine XR is tolerated similarly to its immediate-release form. The most common adverse effects are somnolence and dizziness.
In some patients, a limiting factor for quetiapine therapy is hypotension. The article summarizes pharmacological characteristics of quetiapine XR and available results of clinical trials.