fluoxetine + quetiapine

Fluoxetine + quetiapine is a combination of two pharmaceutical drugs used primarily in the management of major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia when monotherapy is insufficient. Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that increases synaptic serotonin levels by inhibiting its presynaptic reuptake, thereby improving mood and anxiety symptoms. Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic that acts as an antagonist at multiple neurotransmitter receptors, including dopamine D2, serotonin 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, α1-adrenergic, and histamine H1 receptors; its active metabolite norquetiapine also inhibits the norepinephrine transporter and antagonizes 5-HT7 receptors. The combination may be used adjunctively in patients with MDD who have not responded adequately to antidepressant monotherapy. While some studies suggest improved sleep quality with this combination over fluoxetine alone, evidence for superior efficacy on core depressive symptoms remains mixed[2][5][6]. Caution is advised due to increased risk of adverse effects such as sedation or cardiac arrhythmias[1].