Management of disorders of quetiapine and other antipsychotic use

Overview of substance use and addictive behaviours explains key principles of care for a person with a disorder of substance use. Establishing a therapeutic relationship that engages the person (and ideally those close to them) is central to the management of substance dependence.

Specialist advice on any aspects of care for patients with disorders of substance use is available and contact is encouraged; see Contact details for substance use clinical advisory services for clinicians.

No studies have been published on managing quetiapine or other antipsychotic withdrawal with dependence. General advice is available in Stopping antipsychotics. Gradual weaning and symptomatic treatment are likely to be best tolerated. Other sedatives, anxiolytics or hypnotics should be used with caution for short periods of time due to the risk of a patient developing dependence on another medication.

Offer alternative strategies for managing factors that precipitate or perpetuate prolonged antipsychotic use, such as insomnia, difficulties with emotional regulation (eg as can occur with personality disorder), and anxiety.

Substance use can pose risk of acute harms to the person (such as self-harm, falls and other accidents, suicide) and those around them (through impacts on driving, childcare, fitness to work and acute behavioural disturbances). For advice on managing these risks, see Ensuring the safety of a person with a disorder of substance use or addictive behaviour. For harm reduction measures to consider for any person with a disorder of substance use or addictive behaviour, see Harm reduction.

Considerations for specific populations may be relevant in managing disorders of antipsychotic use.