Quetiapine can cause postural hypotension so it should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disease. Other common adverse effects are somnolence, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness and altered liver function.
Drugs such as quetiapine raise the risk of death in seniors who have dementia. Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors warning: During the first few months of treatment, quetiapine may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults.
If you take it for mania or depression in bipolar disorder, you may need to take it for a few weeks or months. Your doctor may suggest that you keep taking it for a long time, maybe several years, to stop your symptoms coming back.
Quetiapine works by blocking the receptors in the brain that dopamine acts on. This prevents the excessive activity of dopamine and helps to control symptoms of schizophrenia and manic depression.
Quetiapine is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before starting to take it if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to quetiapine or any other medicine. have a heart problem such as an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
High doses or long-term use of quetiapine can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. The longer you use quetiapine, the more likely you are to develop this disorder, especially if you are an older adult. Symptoms of this disorder include tremors or other uncontrollable muscle movements.
Although quetiapine was not used as a first-line treatment for mental disorders, it was commonly prescribed as an adjunct, particularly to sedate anxious patients or those experiencing sleep difficulty.
Adults—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 750 mg per day. Children 13 to 17 years of age—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day.
restlessness, agitation and irritability. runny nose. shaking. insomnia (inability to sleep)
Yes. Quetiapine is an antipsychotic that sedates and calms you down by reducing the severity and frequency of manic episodes. It helps to alleviate manic and depressive behavior and psychotic thoughts by maintaining a chemical balance between neurotransmitters in the brain.
Quetiapine is available in both immediate-release and extended-release variations,1 Seroquel helps reduce anxiety by balancing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.
May also cause anxiety, nervousness, or insomnia. There is a risk of tardive dyskinesia (uncontrollable, repetitive, facial movements) associated with all antipsychotics, including Seroquel. Significant weight loss has been reported, although may cause weight gain in some people.
Mood changes
It's possible to experience changes in your mood while taking quetiapine. In rare cases, it may increase feelings of depression, or raise the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior.
It helps you to think more clearly and positively about yourself, feel less nervous, and take a more active part in everyday life. It may also improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level. Quetiapine can help prevent severe mood swings or decrease how often mood swings occur.
In addition to its antihistamine effects, Seroquel also blocks the neurotransmitter dopamine, which may contribute to its sedative effects. But may also dampen the reward system which can make life feel a little dull. Some people even describe feeling like a zombie, especially at higher doses.
In the first few days of taking quetiapine, you may feel extremely sleepy. Taking quetiapine with alcohol or some other medicines could make this even worse.
To begin with you may find that quetiapine makes you feel more alert and less slowed down. Many people do not have any side effects. Over time, you may find that quetiapine makes you: feel calmer and less upset.
Common/Short-Term Side Effects of Seroquel
Trouble thinking. Problems speaking. Unusual dreams. Irritability and mood swings.
At standard doses used for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, quetiapine has been associated with weight gain and increased levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Abruptly discontinuing Seroquel can result in withdrawal symptoms including dizziness, increased heart rate, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting. Never stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor first; your doctor may advise gradually tapering your dose over a period of a few months.
It can help to prevent mania and depression if you have bipolar disorder. It's an antipsychotic medicine that works by affecting chemicals in your brain such as dopamine and serotonin. It does not cure your condition, but it can help with the symptoms. Quetiapine is only available on prescription.
Seroquel will typically stay in your system for about 12 hours after dosage with a half-life of about seven hours. It takes between 24 to 48 hours for Seroquel to be fully metabolized out of your body.