Cataracts with quetiapine

Ocular changes. Cataracts developed in association with que-tiapine treatment in prechnical studies involving dogs, but a causal relation has not been established in humans. Postmarketing trials have not detected an increase in the incidence of cataracts with quetiapine compared with other antipsychotics. 

Ocular Acute angle closure, blurred vision, cataracts, keratopathy, pigment deposits Muscarinic Routine eye examinations Every-6-month eye examination for cataracts if treated with quetiapine... 

Because of cataract development and lenticular changes in animals, baseline and periodic eye exams are recommended in the product labeling for patients receiving quetiapine. However, clinical experience with quetiapine since marketing has not supported a significant risk of cataracts. Retinitis pigmentosa can result from use of thioridazine doses greater than 800 mg daily. It is caused by melanin deposits, and can result in permanent visual impairment or blindness. There is no evidence that it is a function of cumulative dose. ... 

Opaque deposits in the cornea and lens may occur with chronic phenothi-azine treatment, especially with CPZ. Although visual acuity is not usually affected, periodic slit-lamp examinations are recommended with use of long-term phenothiazines. Baseline and periodic slit-lamp examinations are also recommended for quetiapine-treated patients because of cataract development and lenticular changes in animal studies. 

Gualtieri et al., 1982 Oshika, 1995 Hansen et al., 1997). Quetiapine was reported to be associated with the development of cataracts in canine studies. For this reason, regular ophthalmic examinations are suggested for patients receiving this drug so that the possibility of cataract formation can be assessed (see Clinical Implications, below). At present, there have been no reports of a link between cataract development and quetiapine therapy in humans (Carver, 2000). 

As a general rule, ophthalmologic side effects do not appear to occur commonly in children treated with antipsychotics. Although a causal relationship between cataract formation and quetiapine treatment has not been demonstrated in adults, quetiapine administration has been noted in canine studies to lead to cataract formation. For this reason, extra ophthalmologic monitoring during chronic quetiapine treatment is recommended. 

Quetiapine was associated with cataracts in preclinical safety studies conducted in beagles. Subsequent studies involving nonhuman primates did not detect an increased risk of cataracts also, postmarketing surveys have not detected an increased risk of cataracts in patients taking quetiapine compared with patients taking other antipsychotics. 

Clozaril (Clozapine), for example, can cause agranulocytosis (a potentially lethal suppression of white blood cells by the bone marrow). Parkinsonian symptoms and weight gain occur with risperidone (Risperdal) and olanzapine (Zyprexa). In addition, quetiapine (Seroquel) has been associated with an increased incidence of cataracts. 

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