Effects of low-dose quetiapine on psychotic symptoms in elderly patients with physical illnesses: Report of eight cases

ABSTRACT

Quetiapine, which is a new atypical antipsychotic agent, was administered at low doses (25–50 mg/day) for psychotic symptoms in eight elderly patients with physical illnesses. Delirium and hallucination were alleviated by the administration of low doses of quetiapine, and the cause–effect relationship between the administration and alleviation of symptoms was evident, particularly in one patient with delirium, because delirium was alleviated after administration began, was exacerbated after discontinuation of quetiapine, and was alleviated again after administration was resumed. Little improvement was observed in delusions or mood disorders. None of the patients showed exacerbation of physical symptoms or abnormalities in clinical laboratory tests. The results of this study suggest that quetiapine might be effective in reducing delirium and hallucination that often accompany physical illness in elderly people and could be used without adverse effects.