Seroquel

Seroquel and Seroquel XR (quetiapine fumarate extended release formula) are antipsychotic medications used in the treatment of Schizophrenia in adults and children 13 years and older. Also to treat bipolar disorder in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.

Seroquel XR is thought to work by regulating the imbalance of chemicals in the brain. It is a medication that belongs to a class of medicines called “atypical antipsychotics” Illnesses that affect the brain, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, may be due to certain chemicals in the brain being out of balance. Doctors and scientists are not sure what causes these imbalances to occur and these imbalances may cause some of the symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. http://www.astrazeneca.ca/documents/ProductPortfolio/SEROQUEL%20XR_CIL_en.pdf

Seroquel XR is taken once a day and should be swallowed, not crushed, chewed or split. The dose should be taken at the time your prescribing physician prescribes. It should be taken without food or with a light meal.

If a dose is missed then take the prescribed amount as soon as possible unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. Then skip the missed dose. Do not take 2 doses at once. http://www.seroquelxr.com/seroquel-xr-faq.aspx?ux=l

Seroquel comes in doses of 25 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, and 500 mg. http://health.lifestyle.yahoo.ca/drug_info_details.asp?brand_name_id=1304&rot=4

SEROQUEL XR

• add-on treatment to an antidepressant for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who did not have an adequate response to antidepressant therapy;
• acute depressive episodes in bipolar disorder;
• acute manic or mixed episodes in bipolar disorder alone or with lithium or divalproex
• long-term treatment of bipolar disorder with lithium or divalproex; and
• schizophrenia

SEROQUEL

• Adults:

depressive episodes in bipolar disorder manic episodes in bipolar disorder when used alone or with lithium or divalproex long-term treatment of bipolar disorder in adults with lithium or divalproex

• Children and Adolescents

manic episodes in bipolar disorder in children and adolescents ages 10 to 17 years schizophrenia in adolescents ages 13-17 years. http://www.seroquelxr.com/schizophrenia/index.aspx?ux=l

Serious side effects may include:

• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)

symptoms: high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, changes in pulse, heart rate, and blood pressure. If these occur stop Seroquel XR and call physician immediately.

• High Blood Sugar (hyperglycemia) or increased blood sugar

If you have Diabetes or risk factors for Diabetes (being overweight, family history of diabetes) your health care provider should check your blood pressure before beginning seroquel XR and during treatment. symptoms include: feel very thirsty, feel very hungry, frequent urination, feel weak or tired, feel sick to your stomach, feel confused or breath smells fruity.

• High cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood (fat in the blood)

Seroquel XR can increase cholesterol, triglycerides and LDLs or bad cholesterol and can decrease in HDL or good cholesterol. Have cholesterol testing done before beginning Seroquel XR and during treatment

• Weight Gain

• Tardive Dyskinesia

Affects the movements you control in your face, tongue or other body parts. If you cannot control such movements please contact your healthcare provider.

• Orthostatic Hypotension (decreased blood pressure)

Lightheadedness or fainting which is caused by a sudden change in heart rate and blood pressure when rising too quickly from a lying or sitting position.

• Increase in blood pressure

Been reported in children and teenagers and your healthcare provider should administer regular blood pressure checks.

• Low white blood cell count

• Cataracts

• Seizures

• Abnormal Thyroid tests

• Increases in prolactin levels

• Increases in liver enzymes

• Long lasting and painful erection

Most Common SIde Effects for Seroquel XR Include: drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, increased appetite, upset stomach, weight gain, fatigue, disturbance in speech and language, and stuffy nose

Most Common SIde Effects for Seroquel Include:i

• Adults

drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, weakness, abdominal pain, a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, sore throat, weight gain, sluggishness, abnormal liver tests, and upset stomach.

• Children and adolescents

• Difficulty swallowing http://www.seroquelxr.com/seroquel-xr-side-effects.aspx?ux=m

• You should not drink alcohol while taking SEROQUEL XR,

as the combination could increase the effects of the alcohol.

• You should tell your doctor if you are taking or about to stop

taking medications for anxiety, or depression or to help you sleep.

• Dopamine agonists, e.g. levodopa (antiparkinsonian agent), may decrease the effect of Seroquel XR.

• Medications known to interact with SEROQUEL XR include

carbamazepine (anticonvulsant), phenytoin (anticonvulsant), ketoconazole (antifungal), and protease inhibitors (for treating Human Immunodeficiency Virus).

• You should tell your doctor if you are taking erythromycin

(antibiotic), clarithromycin (antibiotic), nefazodone, thioridazine (antipsychotic), diltiazem or verapamil (blood pressure medications).

• Certain medications can seriously affect the way

other medications work, it is important to tell all doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Seroquel XR and tell them about any other medications - prescription, non-prescription oralternative - that you are taking or plan to take. http://www.astrazeneca.ca/documents/ProductPortfolio/SEROQUEL%20XR_CIL_en.pdf

1. REDIRECT Quetiapine

Thousands of plaintiffs have filed lawsuits claiming that Seroquel caused their diabetes and that the drugmaker, AstraZeneca, failed to adequately warn patients downplaying Seroquel's risks, failing to adequately warn doctors and patients of a risk of weight gain and diabetes.

AstraZeneca denies the allegations and have stated that they believed all the patients still pursuing cases either already had diabetes or were at high risk of developing it before they started taking Seroquel.

It has been found that plaintiffs simply cannot show through any accepted scientific method that AstraZeneca is responsible for their alleged injuries and facts given during trail have shown that plaintiffs either already had diabetes or had many pre-exsisting risk factors for diabetes and were already at a significantly increased risk before they starting taking Seroquel. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1821928520100318

There are some 10,000 similar lawsuits in jurisdictions around the country though at this point in time AstraZeneca has won each case that has gone to trial.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before taking Seroquel or any other prescription medication.