- Used to treat schizophrenia
- Used to treat OCD, PTSD, depression disorder and anxiety disorders
- Also used in the treatment of autism, alcoholism and sleep disorders
Seroquel is the brand name for the generic drug Quetiapine which is manufactured by AstraZeneca. It is available in tablets in strengths of 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg and 400 mg. The 300 mg and the 400 mg ones are capsule shaped while the others come in a round shape. The 25 mg tablet is peach in color, the 50 mg is white, the 100 mg is yellow, the 200 mg and 300 mg are white and the 400 mg is yellow.
Indications
Seroquel is used in the treatment of schizophrenia and to treat patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, autism as well as those with sleep disorders, alcohol abuse problems and anxiety problems.
Action
The drug Quetiapine works on the chemicals in the brain binding with the serotonin receptors and acting as an antagonist and an antihistamine in order to bring about balance. With a balanced action of the chemicals, the person feels better as his mood levels go up.
Side Effects
There are some common side effects with this drug and feeling sleepy is the most common one of them. Dry mouth, feeling tired, weight gain, constipation and an upset stomach are also common symptoms. Some of the other side effects are not very serious but some can be. The less serious ones besides the common ones are nausea, headaches, blurred vision, changes in the menstrual cycle, swelling of the breasts and anxiety. The more serious ones are high fever, problems with urinating, sore spots in the mouth, confusion, numbness and jerky movements. There could also be increased heart beats and difficulty in balancing.
Caution
The doctor should be in possession of your full medical history, including any ailment you might have, what medication you are taking for it and the vitamins and supplements you might be taking. You will need to be sure to tell him if you have a problem of low counts of white blood corpuscles, kidney, heart or liver problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid problems or if you suffer from seizures or epilepsy. You should also inform him about any history of high cholesterol, cataracts or if you have trouble swallowing.
Contraindications
Seroquel should be taken in the dosages and strengths prescribed by the doctor and you should never increase the dosage or stop the medication without the doctor knowing. The drug could be harmful for pregnant women and nursing mothers and it passes to the baby. It should not be given to children below thirteen for schizophrenia and below ten for bipolar disorder. Older people who suffer from dementia should avoid it because it could cause a heart attack or sudden death. Patients below 24 should be aware that their symptoms could worsen in the beginning and one should be careful because sometimes there could be suicidal tendencies.