Description
Quetiapine (branded as Seroquel, Xeroquel, and Ketipinor) is a short-acting atypical antipsychotic approved for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and along with an antidepressant to treat major depressive disorder. Quetiapine is a powerful dopaminergic, serotonergic, and adrenergic antagonist, as well as a potent antihistamine with clinically negligible anticholinergic properties. Quetiapine binds strongly to serotonin receptors; the drug acts as partial agonist at 5-HT1A receptors.In terms of its antipsychotic effects, the precise mechanism of action is unknown, but according to the dopamine theory of schizophrenia, antipsychotic effects might be related to the drug’s ability to reduce dopaminergic neurotransmission within the mesolimbic pathway.
Recreational usage of this substance is uncommon, but reports of quetiapine abuse have emerged within the medical literature. This seems to be driven by its sedative and anxiolytic effects (to help with sleep or to ‘calm down’) rather than by its antipsychotic properties. In addition to oral administration, the drug is sometimes taken intranasally by insufflating pulverized tablets.
