Warnings: There may be a slightly increased risk of serious, possibly fatal side effects (such as stroke, heart failure, fast/irregular heartbeat, pneumonia) when this medication is used by older adults with dementia. This medication is not approved for the treatment of dementia-related behavior problems.
This prescription drug comes with a high risk of addiction, especially when combined with other drugs. Some individuals who misuse Seroquel may mix it with cocaine, for example. Chances for addiction and dependence also increase when someone snorts or injects Seroquel instead of taking it as an oral tablet.
Quetiapine is a medication that works in the brain to treat schizophrenia. It is also known as a second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) or atypical antipsychotic. Quetiapine rebalances dopamine and serotonin to improve thinking, mood, and behavior.
Quetiapine (Seroquel) is used to improve mood, thoughts, and behaviors for people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The extended-release form of quetiapine (Seroquel) can also be used to treat depression when combined with another antidepressant.
Quetiapine is in a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. It works by changing the activity of certain natural substances in the brain.
Seroquel has an average rating of 6.8 out of 10 from a total of 477 ratings on Drugs.com. 60% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 21% reported a negative experience.
Confusion, headache, drowsiness, agitation, constipation, weight gain, dry mouth, and blurred vision. Sedation - which may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcohol.
Depressants: Seroquel slows down the brain. This helps calm schizophrenia and manic episodes, but it also causes sedation, drowsiness, lightheadedness, and similar problems.
The biggest disadvantages of Seroquel are the potential long-term side effects, which can include tardive dyskinesia, increased blood sugar, cataracts, and weight gain. For teens and young adults, the medication may also cause an increase in suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Quetiapine can cause changes in the way your body functions. You may have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), increased cholesterol and triglycerides (fats in the blood), or weight gain. High blood sugar can occur in people with or without diabetes.
You should not use quetiapine if you are allergic to it. Quetiapine may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use. Quetiapine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 10 years old.
Seroquel has been studied and is still being researched as a treatment option for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Research shows that Seroquel can be particularly effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder.
ROBERT E. TAYLOR M.D. To the Editor: Quetiapine is not a controlled substance and is not considered addictive.
In some cases, more serious side effects may occur. Some of these include: Increased risk of death due to dementia-related psychosis. Increased risk of suicidal thoughts.
10 mg/kg is significant in an adult whilst >3 g (Greater than 100 mg in a child <12 years) may be associated with severe toxicity.
It is the first drug in the modern era to be prescribed widely for sleep, anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia: it is either a miracle, or the most stupendous con-job ever perpetrated on patients, and the eternally gullible psychiatric fraternity.
The rate of self-harm was elevated in the year after quetiapine was first prescribed, compared to the unexposed period: IRR at 0–1 months 1.85 (95%CI 1.46–2.34), IRR at 1–2 months 1.96 (95% CI 1.55–2.48) and IRR at 2–3 months 1.54 (95% CI 1.19–1.98).
Do not stop taking SEROQUEL, or change the times of day you take SEROQUEL, without talking to your doctor first. If you stop taking SEROQUEL abruptly you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia (not being able to sleep), nausea, and vomiting.
Rated for Bipolar II disorder
Great for night time mania I've been taking Seroquel, 300mg, for about 7 weeks. I take it in the evening and usually am drowsy within 2 hours of taking it. It works great for my manic symptoms and, usually, helps me get to sleep and rid of that "racing mind" feeling.
How long does quetiapine take to start working? Many people say that it takes four to six weeks for quetiapine to show its full effect. However, some people experience benefits sooner than this. You should stay in touch with your doctor to see how it goes over the first few weeks.
Quetiapine does not work straight away. It can take several days or even weeks for some symptoms to improve. It may take a few weeks to get to the right dose for you.
If you take quetiapine for schizophrenia or depression, you may need to take it for a long time, maybe several years. If you take it for mania or depression in bipolar disorder, you may need to take it for a few weeks or months.
SEROQUEL XR is indicated for use as adjunctive therapy to antidepressants for the treatment of MDD. The efficacy of SEROQUEL XR as adjunctive therapy to antidepressants in MDD was established in two 6-week trials in adults with MDD who had an inadequate response to antidepressant treatment [see Clinical Studies].
Seroquel use may also be directly implicated in memory issues for some patients. This likely has to do with the mechanism by which it works to affect dopamine regulation. The rewarding, accomplished feeling dopamine produces is believed to be central to learning and memorization.