Seroquel, developed by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, is the brand name for the generic drug quetiapine. Seroquel is a psychotropic medication----it directly affects the nervous system----that is used in the treatment of bipolar disorder (manic depression), depression, anxiety, insomnia and schizophrenia. Seroquel works as a mood stabilizer by blocking the effects of mood altering chemicals in the body, such as serotonin, histamine and dopamine.
Features
Seroquel is available in the form of capsules in the following doses: 25 mg (peach tablet), 50 mg (white tablet), 100 mg (yellow tablet), 200 mg (white tablet), 300 mg (white capsule) and 400mg (yellow capsule). According to Drugs.com, the FDA does not recommend taking more than 800 mg of Seroquel in a day because the effects of such a high dose are unknown.
The ingredients of Seroquel include: quetiapine (active ingredient), hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, sodium starch glycolate, polyethylene glycol, povidone and titanium dioxide.
Serious Side Effects
You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects of Seroquel: high fever, muscle stiffness, irregular heartbeat, difficulty speaking, loss of muscle control, weakness or lack of sensation in part of the body, confusion, sudden headache, excessive thirst or hunger, frequent need to urinate or excessive lightheadedness.
Other Side Effects
Other common and less severe side effects of Seroquel include: drowsiness, dryness, nausea, weight gain, wooziness, restlessness, fatigue, trouble sleeping, tremors, constipation, missed periods, swollen breasts and blurry vision. These side effects usually disappear as the body adjusts to the medication.
Drug Interactions
A number of medications may interact with Seroquel. These include but are not limited to: Ativan, Tagamet, erythromycin, Mycobutin, Mellaril, steroids (such as prednisone), antifungal drugs (such as fluconazole and itraconazole), anti-depression drugs (such as Prozac), hypertension medication and seizure drugs (such as Tegretol or Depakene).
Warnings
According to the FDA, Seroquel is a pregnancy category C drug, which means that it may be harmful to the fetus. Pregnant women or women who plan to become pregnant should consult their doctor before using Seroquel. Elderly people suffering from psychosis related to dementia should not take Seroquel; it can cause pneumonia, heart failure or even death in such people. People suffering from severe cases of depression may feel more depressed or have suicidal thoughts when they first take Seroquel. They should talk to their doctor whenever they feel any such change in their thought pattern. Seroquel may also cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) in some patients. Patients with diabetes should regularly check their sugar level while on Seroquel.
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