quetiapine-fumarate and Dyspnea

Several detailed case reports have described cardiac muscle disorders (cardiomyopathy and myocarditis) in patients treated with quetiapine, some of which have been fatal. The symptoms included shortness of breath and oedema. The disorders sometimes resolved on withdrawal of quetiapine. Quetiapine is chemically similar to clozapine and olanzapine, which are known to sometimes provoke this type of adverse effect. In practice, a patient who develops dyspnoea or other signs of heart failure during quetiapine therapy may benefit if the drug's role is recognised and quetiapine withdrawn.

Topics: Antipsychotic Agents; Cardiomyopathies; Clozapine; Dibenzothiazepines; Dyspnea; Edema; Humans; Myocarditis; Quetiapine Fumarate

Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic with favorable properties in the treatment of bipolar disorder, but it has recently been associated with respiratory dysfunction.. In this case report, we describe a patient who developed quetiapine-induced hyperventilation and dyspnea after being treated with quetiapine.. To our knowledge, this is the first case presented with quetiapine-induced hyperventilation in a patient with bipolar disorder.. We recommend a quick reduction of the quetiapine dosage and a change to an alternative antipsychotic for patients treated with quetiapine, who report such respiratory symptoms without a somatic cause for the symptoms.

Topics: Aged; Antipsychotic Agents; Bipolar Disorder; Dibenzothiazepines; Dyspnea; Humans; Hyperventilation; Male; Quetiapine Fumarate; Respiratory Rate