Let's take a minute to talk about your medication. 

This is quetiapine. It helps treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can take several weeks, but quetiapine can help you think clearly and have fewer mood swings. 

You should take quetiapine exactly how your doctor tells you to. You can take it with or without food.

Most people tolerate this medicine well. You could feel tired or a little dizzy. You should wait until you know how it affects you before you do activities that require you to be alert, like driving. Other common side effects include an upset stomach, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain and a change in sex drive or function. These effects are normal if they are mild and should go away. If these or other side effects become reasons you want to stop taking it, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor says it's okay. 

As with any medicine, rare but more serious side effects could occur. With quetiapine, this includes worsening moods, behaviors and even thoughts of suicide. It is very important to read the Medication Guide for full information about this and other effects.

Quetiapine can make it hard to adjust your body temperature. You should dress warm in cold weather. You should try to stay cool in hot weather, and avoid activities that make you hot, like hot tubs or too much exercise. It is very important to drink plenty of fluids while taking this medicine.
Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medicines and before drinking alcohol.

Women should check with their doctors before becoming pregnant and should not breastfeed.

For best results with quetiapine, ask a friend or family member to help determine how this medicine is working for you.