Seroquel

Seroquel General Information

Seroquel is a second generation antipsychotic used in the management of Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety and insomnia. It's also been used for conditions such as Tourettes syndrome, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

How does Seroquel work?

There are several natural chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. These chemicals attach to different receptors, and help make the brain work properly. They have a particularly strong effect on our moods and behaviors. Sometimes these chemicals will become unbalanced and people may experience different kinds of psychotic episodes. Seroquel works by blocking the receptors for some of these chemicals, particularly dopamine and serotonin. An overabundance of Dopamine is thought to be one of the primary instigators of schizophrenia, and it's related to many other mental disorders as well. By blocking the receptors for these chemicals, Seroquel protects the brain from their effects. Because of the way it works, Seroquel guards against all types of schizophrenic episodes, while most traditional antipsychotics only protect patients from the more negative and severe experiences. Although it's primarily used for schizophrenia, it's proven useful in the treatment of many different mental conditions.

When/How is Seroquel taken/used/applied?

Seroquel is a particularly versatile drug, and there are many different reasons why it may be prescribed. The size and frequency of your dose varies depending on the specific problem you have, and the severity. As a general rule, the starting dose is about 25 mg, twice a day, but that can be increased all the way up to 400 mg, 3 times a day for certain patients with particularly severe issues. It comes in many different tablet sizes and there is a lot of flexibility in how it can be used. Some mental disorders are progressive in nature, and if your condition worsens, there is a lot of room for dosage increases to compensate.

Side Effects of Seroquel

Some of the more common side effects of Seroquel are dry mouth, drowsiness, high triglycerides, headaches, agitation, dizziness, high cholesterol, weakness, constipation, and fatigue. Some of the rarer side effects are Indigestion, vomiting, increased appetite, abdominal pain, lethargy, nasal congestion, and sore throat. There are certain severe side effects of Seroquel that should be reported to a doctor immediately, these include: diabetic symptoms, rapid weight gain, thoughts of suicide, fainting when standing or sitting, and any abnormal muscle movements or spasms. You should also be watchful for signs of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, which can include fever, irregular pulse and sweating. Seroquel is known as a relatively safe drug, but you should always pay attention to side effects and report to your doctor when you experience them.

Other Brand Names for Seroquel:

• Quetiapine Fumarate
• Seroquel XR
• Ketipinor

Safety Information:

Seroquel can sometimes cause very serious problems for elderly patients with dementia, including heart failure and sudden death. Seroquel can also cause complications in people with liver or kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack survivors, people with a low white blood cell count, those suffering with thyroid disorders, epilepsy patients, people with cholesterol issues, people with a history of diabetes in their family or people who are currently suffering from diabetes. In some cases, someone suffering with these problems can still take Seroquel, but your dosage may be moderated as a precaution. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking Seroquel, you should let your doctor know. There are no current studies about the safety of Seroquel for pregnant women and usually it's better to be safe than sorry.

Dosage:

• 25 mg
• 50 mg
• 100 mg
• 200 mg
• 300 mg
• 400 mg

Visual Description:

Lower dosed Seroquel tablets are all round in shape. 25 mg Seroquel is peach shaded. 50 mg is white. 100 mg is yellow. 200 mg tablets are a little larger, and also white. 300 mg tablets are white and capsule shaped. The recently introduced 400 mg tablets are also capsule shaped, with yellow shading.