Quetiapine: efficacy, tolerability and safety in schizophrenia

Quetiapine, a dibenzothiazepine derivative, is an atypical antipsychotic, multireceptor antagonist that has a preclinical profile similar to clozapine. Randomized studies have demonstrated the efficacy of quetiapine relative to placebo in the treatment of acute relapse and the long-term management of schizophrenia. Quetiapine is generally well tolerated relative to other antipsychotic medications, although side effects include sedation, orthostatic hypotension, anticholinergic and metabolic side effects. The purpose of this article is to critically review the current literature on quetiapine with an emphasis on emergent themes and key findings in the use of this agent for the treatment of schizophrenia. There are also continued efforts to understand, predict and manage the side-effect risk with quetiapine.