Quetiapine Fumarate

QUETIAPINE FUMARATE- quetiapine fumarate tablet, film coated
Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc.

WARNING: INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS; and SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS

Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. Quetiapine is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies. These studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in patients over age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressant use in patients aged 65 and older [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
In patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy, monitor closely for worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Advise families and caregivers of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Quetiapine is not approved for use in pediatric patients under ten years of age [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1.1 Schizophrenia

Quetiapine tablets are indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia. The efficacy of quetiapine tablets in schizophrenia was established in three 6-week trials in adults and one 6-week trial in adolescents (13 to 17 years). The effectiveness of quetiapine tablets for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia has not been systematically evaluated in controlled clinical trials [see Clinical Studies (14.1)].

1.2 Bipolar Disorder

Quetiapine tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder, both as monotherapy and as an adjunct to lithium or divalproex. Efficacy was established in two 12-week monotherapy trials in adults, in one 3-week adjunctive trial in adults, and in one 3-week monotherapy trial in pediatric patients (10 to 17 years) [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].
Quetiapine tablets are indicated as monotherapy for the acute treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Efficacy was established in two 8-week monotherapy trials in adult patients with bipolar I and bipolar II disorder [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].
Quetiapine tablets are indicated for the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder, as an adjunct to lithium or divalproex. Efficacy was established in two maintenance trials in adults. The effectiveness of quetiapine tablets as monotherapy for the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder has not been systematically evaluated in controlled clinical trials [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].

1.3 Special Considerations in Treating Pediatric Schizophrenia and Bipolar I Disorder

Pediatric schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder are serious mental disorders, however, diagnosis can be challenging. For pediatric schizophrenia, symptom profiles can be variable, and for bipolar I disorder, patients may have variable patterns of periodicity of manic or mixed symptoms. It is recommended that medication therapy for pediatric schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder be initiated only after a thorough diagnostic evaluation has been performed and careful consideration given to the risks associated with medication treatment. Medication treatment for both pediatric schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder is indicated as part of a total treatment program that often includes psychological, educational and social interventions.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Important Administration Instructions

Quetiapine tablets can be taken with or without food.

2.2 Recommended Dosing

The recommended initial dose, titration, dose range and maximum quetiapine tablets dose for each approved indication is displayed in Table 1. After initial dosing, adjustments can be made upwards or downwards, if necessary, depending upon the clinical response and tolerability of the patient [see Clinical Studies (14.1 and 14.2)].

Table 1: Recommended Dosing for quetiapine tablets

Indication

Initial Dose and Titration

Recommended Dose

Maximum Dose

Schizophrenia — Adults

Day 1: 25 mg twice daily. Increase in increments of 25 mg to 50 mg divided two or three times on Days 2 and 3 to range of 300 to 400 mg by Day 4.Further adjustments can be made in increments of 25 to 50 mg twice a day, in intervals of not less than 2 days.

150 to 750 mg/day

750 mg/day

Schizophrenia — Adolescents (13 to 17years)

Day 1: 25 mg twice daily.Day 2: Twice daily dosing totaling 100 mg.Day 3: Twice daily dosing totaling 200 mg.Day 4: Twice daily dosing totaling 300 mg.Day 5: Twice daily dosing totaling 400 mg.Further adjustments should bein increments no greater than100 mg/day within therecommended dose range of400 to 800 mg/day.Based on response andtolerability, may beadministered three times daily.

400 to 800 mg/day

800 mg/day

Schizophrenia — Maintenance

Not applicable.

400 to 800 mg/day

800 mg/day

Bipolar Mania — AdultsMonotherapy or as anadjunct to lithium ordivalproex

Day 1: Twice daily dosing totaling 100 mg.Day 2: Twice daily dosing totaling 200 mg.Day 3: Twice daily dosing totaling 300 mg.Day 4: Twice daily dosing totaling 400 mg.Further dosage adjustments up to 800 mg/day by Day 6 should be in increments of no greater than 200 mg/day.

400 to 800 mg/day

800 mg/day

Bipolar Mania — Children and Adolescents (10 to 17years), Monotherapy

Day 1: 25 mg twice daily.Day 2: Twice daily dosing totaling 100 mg.Day 3: Twice daily dosing totaling 200 mg.Day 4: Twice daily dosing totaling 300 mg.Day 5: Twice daily dosing totaling 400 mg.Further adjustments should be in increments no greater than 100 mg/day within the recommended dose range of 400 to 600 mg/day.Based on response and tolerability, may be administered three times daily.

400 to 600 mg/day

600 mg/day

Bipolar Depression — Adults

Administer once daily at bedtime. Day 1: 50 mgDay 2: 100 mgDay 3: 200 mgDay 4: 300 mg

300 mg/day

300 mg/day

Bipolar I DisorderMaintenance Therapy — Adults

Administer twice daily totaling 400 to 800 mg/day as adjunct to lithium or divalproex. Generally, in the maintenance phase, patients continued on the same dose on which they were stabilized.

400 to 800 mg/day

800 mg/day

Maintenance Treatment for Schizophrenia and Bipolar I Disorder

Maintenance Treatment — Patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for maintenance treatment and the appropriate dose for such treatment [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].

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