Quetiapine Fumarate ER

1.1 Schizophrenia Quetiapine extended-release tablets are indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia. The efficacy of quetiapine extended-release tablets in schizophrenia was established in one 6-week and one maintenance trial in adults with schizophrenia. Efficacy was supported by three 6-week trials in adults with schizophrenia and one 6-week trial in adolescents with schizophrenia (13 to 17 years) treated with quetiapine [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. 1.2 Bipolar Disorder Quetiapine extended-release tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder, both as monotherapy and as an adjunct to lithium or divalproex. The efficacy of quetiapine extended-release tablets in manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder was established in one 3-week trial in adults with manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. Efficacy was supported by two 12-week monotherapy trials and one 3-week adjunctive trial in adults with manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder as well as one 3-week monotherapy trial in children and adolescents (10 to 17 years) with manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder treated with quetiapine [see Clinical Studies (14.2)]. Quetiapine extended-release tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder. The efficacy of quetiapine extended-release tablets was established in one 8-week trial in adults with bipolar I or II disorder and supported by two 8-week trials in adults with bipolar I or II disorder treated with quetiapine [see Clinical Studies (14.2)]. Quetiapine extended-release tablets are indicated for the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder, as an adjunct to lithium or divalproex. Efficacy was extrapolated from two maintenance trials in adults with bipolar I disorder treated with quetiapine. The effectiveness of monotherapy for the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder has not been systematically evaluated in controlled clinical trials [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ]. 1.3 Adjunctive Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Quetiapine extended-release tablets are indicated for use as adjunctive therapy to antidepressants for the treatment of MDD. The efficacy of quetiapine extended-release tablets as adjunctive therapy to antidepressants in MDD was established in two 6-week trials in adults with MDD who had an inadequate response to antidepressant treatment [see Clinical Studies (14.3 )]. 1.4 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.

2.1 Important Administration Instructions Quetiapine extended-release tablets should be swallowed whole and not split, chewed, or crushed. It is recommended that quetiapine extended-release tablets be taken without food or with a light meal (approximately 300 calories) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Quetiapine extended-release tablets should be administered once daily, preferably in the evening. 2.2 Recommended Dosing The recommended initial dose, titration, dose range and maximum quetiapine extended-release tablets dose for each approved indication is displayed in Table 1 below. 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 ( 14.1,14.2 and 14.3)]. Table 1: Recommended Dosing for Quetiapine Extended-Release Tablets Indication Initial Dose and Titration Recommended Dose Maximum Dose Schizophrenia -Adults Day 1: 300 mg/day Dose increases can be made at intervals as short as 1 day and in increments of up to 300 mg/day 400 to 800 mg/day 800 mg/day Schizophrenia -Adolescents (13 to 17 years) Day 1: 50 mg/day Day 2: 100 mg/day Day 3: 200 mg/day Day 4: 300 mg/day Day 5: 400 mg/day 400 to 800 mg/day 800 mg/day Schizophrenia Maintenance - Monotherapy - Adults Not applicable 400 to 800 mg/day 800 mg/day Bipolar I Disorder manic or mixed - Acute monotherapy or adjunct to lithium or divalproex - Adults Day 1: 300 mg/day Day 2: 600 mg/day Day 3: between 400 and 800 mg/day 400 to 800 mg/day 800 mg/day Bipolar I Disorder, manic Acute monotherapy Children and Adolescents (10 to 17 years) Day 1: 50 mg/day Day 2: 100 mg/day Day 3: 200 mg/day Day 4: 300 mg/day Day 5: 400 mg/day 400 to 600 mg/day 600 mg/day Bipolar Disorder, Depressive Episodes - Adults Day 1: 50 mg/day Day 2: 100 mg/day Day 3: 200 mg/day Day 4: 300 mg/day 300 mg/day 300 mg/day Bipolar I Disorder Maintenance - Adjunct to lithium or divalproex - Adults Not applicable 400 to 800 mg/day 800 mg/day Major Depressive Disorder - Adjunctive Therapy with Antidepressants-Adults Day 1: 50 mg/day Day 2: 50 mg/day Day 3: 150 mg/day 150 to 300 mg/day 300 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 (14.1, 14.2)]. 2.3 Dose Modifications in Elderly Patients Consideration should be given to a slower rate of dose titration and a lower target dose in the elderly and in patients who are debilitated or who have a predisposition to hypotensive reactions [see Use in Specific Populations (8.5,8.7), and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. When indicated, dose escalation should be performed with caution in these patients. Elderly patients should be started on quetiapine extended-release tablets 50 mg/day and the dose can be increased in increments of 50 mg/day depending on the clinical response and tolerability of the individual patient. 2.4 Dose Modifications in Hepatically Impaired Patients Patients with hepatic impairment should be started on quetiapine extended-release tablets 50 mg/day. The dose can be increased daily in increments of 50 mg/day to an effective dose, depending on the clinical response and tolerability of the patient. 2.5 Dose Modifications when used with CYP3A4 Inhibitors Quetiapine extended-release tablets dose should be reduced to one-sixth of original dose when co-medicated with a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, indinavir, ritonavir, nefazodone, etc.). When the CYP3A4 inhibitor is discontinued, the dose of quetiapine extended-release tablets should be increased by 6-fold [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) and Drug Interactions (7.1)]. 2.6 Dose Modifications when used with CYP3A4 Inducers Quetiapine extended-release tablets dose should be increased up to 5-fold of the original dose when used in combination with a chronic treatment (…

5.1 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. Analysis of 17 placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients. Over the course of a typical 10-week controlled trial, the rate of death in drug-treated patients was about 4.5%, compared to a rate of about 2.6% in the placebo group. Although the causes of death were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (e.g., heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (e.g., pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that, similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs, treatment with conventional antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. The extent to which the findings of increased mortality in observational studies may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to some characteristic(s) of the patients is not clear. Quetiapine extended-release tablets are not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Boxed Warning]. 5.2 Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Adolescents and Young Adults Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), both adult and pediatric, may experience worsening of their depression and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and behavior (suicidality) or unusual changes in behavior, whether or not they are taking antidepressant medications, and this risk may persist until significant remission occurs. Suicide is a known risk of depression and certain other psychiatric disorders, and these disorders themselves are the strongest predictors of suicide. There has been a long-standing concern, however, that antidepressants may have a role in inducing worsening of depression and the emergence of suicidality in certain patients during the early phases of treatment. Pooled analyses of short-term placebo-controlled trials of antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and others) showed that these drugs increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 18 to 24) with major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. The pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials in children and adolescents with MDD, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or other psychiatric disorders included a total of 24 short-term trials of 9 antidepressant drugs in over 4,400 patients. The pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials in adults with MDD or other psychiatric disorders included a total of 295 short-term trials (median duration of 2 months) of 11 antidepressant drugs in over 77,000 patients. There was considerable variation in risk of suicidality among drugs, but a tendency toward an increase in the younger patients for almost all drugs studied. There were differences in absolute risk of suicidality across the different indications, with the highest incidence in MDD. The risk differences (drug vs. placebo), however, were relatively stable within age strata and across indications. These risk differences (drug-placebo difference in the number of cases of suicidality per 1000 patients treated) are provided in Table 2. Table 2: Drug-Placebo Difference in Number of Cases of Suicidality per 1000 Patients Treated Age Range Drug-Placebo Difference in Number of Cases of Suicidality per 1000 Patients Treated Increases Compared to Placebo <18 14 additional cases 18 to 24 5 additional cases Decreases Compared to Placebo 25 to 64 1 fewer case >65 6 fewer cases No suicides occurred in any of the pediatric trials. There were suicid…

Hypersensitivity to quetiapine or to any excipients in the quetiapine extended-release tablets formulation. Anaphylactic reactions have been reported in patients treated with quetiapine extended-release tablets.

7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on Quetiapine The risks of using quetiapine extended-release tablets in combination with other drugs have not been extensively evaluated in systematic studies. Given the primary CNS effects of quetiapine extended-release tablets, caution should be used when it is taken in combination with other centrally acting drugs. Quetiapine potentiated the cognitive and motor effects of alcohol in a clinical trial in subjects with selected psychotic disorders, and alcoholic beverages should be limited while taking quetiapine. Quetiapine exposure is increased by the prototype CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, indinavir, ritonavir, nefazodone, etc.) and decreased by the prototype of CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin, avasimibe, St. John's wort etc.). Dose adjustment of quetiapine will be necessary if it is co-administered with potent CYP3A4 inducers or inhibitors. CYP3A4 inhibitors: Coadministration of ketoconazole, a potent inhibitor of cytochrome CYP3A4, resulted in significant increase in quetiapine exposure. The dose should be reduced to one-sixth of the original dose in patients coadministered with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. CYP3A4 inducers: Coadministration of quetiapine and phenytoin, a CYP3A4 inducer increased the mean oral clearance of quetiapine by 5-fold. Increased doses of quetiapine extended-release tablets up to 5 - fold may be required to maintain control of symptoms of schizophrenia in patients receiving quetiapine and phenytoin, or other known potent CYP3A4 inducers [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].When the CYP3A4 inducer is discontinued, the dose of quetiapine extended-release tablets should be reduced to the original level within 7 to 14 days [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. Anticholinergic Drugs: Concomitant treatment with quetiapine and other drugs with anticholinergic activity can increase the risk for severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions related to hypomotility. Quetiapine extended-release tablets should be used with caution in patients receiving medications having anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.20)]. The potential effects of several concomitant medications on quetiapine pharmacokinetics were studied [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. 7.2 Effect of Quetiapine on Other Drugs Because of its potential for inducing hypotension, quetiapine extended-release tablets may enhance the effects of certain antihypertensive agents. Quetiapine extended-release tablets may antagonize the effects of levodopa and dopamine agonists. There are no clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interactions of quetiapine on other drugs based on the CYP pathway. Quetiapine and its metabolites are non-inhibitors of major metabolizing CYP's (1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4).

The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: Increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents and young adults [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Cerebrovascular adverse reactions, including stroke in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) [seeWarnings and Precautions (5.4)] Metabolic changes (hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, weight gain) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] Tardive dyskinesia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)] Hypotension [seeWarnings and Precautions (5.7)] Falls [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)] Increases in blood pressure (children and adolescents) [seeWarnings and Precautions (5.9)] Leukopenia, neutropenia and agranulocytosis [seeWarnings and Precautions (5.10)] Cataracts [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11)] QT Prolongation [seeWarnings and Precautions (5.12)] Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13)] Hypothyroidism [seeWarnings and Precautions (5.14)] Hyperprolactinemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15)] Potential for cognitive and motor impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.16)] Body temperature regulation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.17)] Dysphagia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.18)] Discontinuation Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.19)] Anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) Effects [see Warnings and Precautions, (5.20)] 6.1 Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Adults The information below is derived from a clinical trial database for quetiapine extended-release tablets consisting of approximately 3400 patients exposed to quetiapine extended-release tablets for the treatment of Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder in placebo-controlled trials. This experience corresponds to approximately 1020.1 patient-years. Adverse reactions were assessed by collecting adverse reactions, results of physical examinations, vital signs, body weights, laboratory analyses, and ECG results. The stated frequencies of adverse reactions represent the proportion of individuals who experienced, at least once, an adverse reaction of the type listed. Adverse Reactions Associated with Discontinuation of Treatment in Short-Term, Placebo-Controlled Trials: Schizophrenia: There were no adverse reactions leading to discontinuation that occurred at an incidence of ≥2% for quetiapine extended-release tablets in schizophrenia trials. Bipolar I Disorder, Manic or Mixed Episodes: There were no adverse reactions leading to discontinuation that occurred at an incidence of ≥2% for quetiapine extended-release tablets in the bipolar mania trial. Bipolar Disorder, Depressive Episode: In a single clinical trial in patients with bipolar depression, 14% (19/137) of patients on quetiapine extended-release tablets discontinued due to an adverse reaction compared to 4% (5/140) on placebo. Somnolence2 was the only adverse reaction leading to discontinuation that occurred at an incidence of ≥2% in quetiapine extended-release tablets in the bipolar depression trial. MDD, Adjunctive Therapy: In adjunctive therapy clinical trials in patients with MDD, 12.1% (76/627) of patients on quetiapine extended-release tablets discontinued due to adverse reaction compared to 1.9% (6/309) on placebo. Somnolence2 was the only adverse reaction leading to discontinuation that occurred at an incidence of ≥2% in quetiapine extended-release tablets in MDD trials. Commonly Observed Adverse Reactions in Short-Term, Placebo-Controlled Trials: In short-term placebo-controlled studies for schizophrenia the most commonly observed ad…