Seroquel and Seroquel XR are brand names for a generic anti-psychotic drug called quetiapine fumerate. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, has approved Seroquel for people with schizophrenia and for particular manifestations of bipolar disorder, according to manufacturer AstraZeneca. Seroquel dosages can be tailored to reflect the individual's age, underlying diagnosis, co-morbidities and drug response.
Schizophrenia in Adults
When treating schizophrenia, doctors should prescribe Seroquel 300 mg per day as a starting dose, increasing the dose each day in 300 mg increments until the desired dose range of 400 to 800 mg/day is reached, according to AstraZeneca. When using Seroquel XR for schizophrenia, adults typically take 25 mg twice on the first day. On days two and three, AstraZeneca recommends, add 25 to 50 mg divided two or three times during the day. On day four, the recommended dose of Seroquel XR for adults is 300 to 400 mg per day. The goal is to build up to the recommended daily dose of 150 to 750 mg of Seroquel XR per day.
Schizophrenia in Adolescents
Seroquel XR is approved for the treatment of 13 to 17-year olds with schizophrenia, with a recommended starting dose of 25 mg twice a day. The recommended doses for days two through five are 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg twice a day, respectively. Based on the teen's response to the drug and his ability to tolerate it, the prescriber should increase the dose to 400 to 800 mg each day.
Bipolar Mania
Both Seroquel and Seroquel XR can be used along to treat the manic phase of bipolar disorder in adults, or as an additional drug to be combined with lithium or divalproex, says AstraZeneca. The recommended dosage range for either form of the drug is 400 to 800 mg per day for adults. Seroquel is also approved for use during the manic phase of bipolar disorder in children and teens between the ages of 10 and 17 years, with a desired dosage range of 400 to 600 mg daily.
Adjunctive Therapy
The FDA has approved Seroquel XR as an adjunctive, or add-on, drug to treat individuals with major depressive disorder. The dosage schedule begins with 50 mg daily on days one and two, goes up to 150 mg daily on day three and remains at 150 to 300 mg a day from that point on.
