- The SEROQUEL mechanism of action is not fully understood.
- SEROQUEL interacts with a broad range of neurotransmitter receptors. Pharmacological effects are attributed to the combined effects of quetiapine (parent compound) and norquetiapine (major active metabolite).
- Quetiapine and norquetiapine exhibit affinity for brain serotonin (5HT2) and dopamine D1- and D2- receptors. It is this combination of receptor antagonism with a higher selectivity for 5HT2 relative to D2- receptors, which is believed to contribute to the clinical antipsychotic properties and low extrapyramidal undesirable effect (EPS) liability of Seroquel compared to typical antipsychotics.
- Additionally, norquetiapine has high affinity for the norepinephrine transporter (NET).
- Quetiapine and norquetiapine also have high affinity at histaminergic and adrenergic alpha1 receptors, with a lower affinity at adrenergic alpha2- and serotonin 5HT1A receptors.
- Quetiapine has no appreciable affinity at cholinergic, muscarinic or benzodiazepine receptors.
SEROQUEL mechanism of action