Seroquel is antidepressant pill made by Astra-Zeneca. It is taken once daily for individuals with several major depressive disorders. It is available by prescription only. According to Astra Zeneca, Seroquel is prescribed to patients with major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and as an additional antidepressant for individuals needing complimentary depression medication while under treatment with lithium or other monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Seroquel has only one active ingredient, which is quetiapine fumarate, a psychotropic agent categorized in a chemical class called dibenzothiazepine derivatives.
Tableting Agents
Inactive ingredients are added to Seroquel to aid in tableting and assimilation. These include magnesium stearate, which according to Ron Schmid, N.D, is used as a binder and lubricant. Dibasic dicalcium phosphate dehydrate is a source of calcium and phosphorus, and added as a filler for pill creation.
Lubricants and Binders
A lubricant is added to a tablet to improve certain processing characteristics when making the pills, so the ingredients do not stick to the machinery. According to Ron Schmid, N.D., lubricants also help to compress ingredients into pill form and create a hard exterior. Lubricant ingredients in Seroquel are hypromellose and magnesium stearate. Additionally, magnesium stearate acts as a stabilizing and binding ingredient. Binders do exactly as the name indicates--they bind ingredients together. The other binding ingredient in Seroquel is lactose monohydrate.
Inactive Flavoring and Color
Seroquel also contains titanium dioxide and other color agents. The 25 mg form of Seroquel contain both red ferric oxide and yellow ferric oxide, while the 100 mg and 400 mg tablets contain only yellow ferric oxide.
Although listed as inactive ingredients, allergic reactions to these substances may still occur, so Seroquel users should consult with a physician to discuss any concerns about these inactive ingredients.
References
- Seroquel
- "Handbook of Fillers, Extenders, and Dilutants"; Michael Ash, Irene Ash; 2007
- Drugs.com: Seroquel
- Rxlist.com: Seroquel
- ENCognitive.com: Magnesium Stearate
