Quetiapine
(Seroquel, United States and Canada)

More drugs used for Schizophrenia.

Use:

Quetiapine or Seroquel is an antipsychotic used in the treatment of schizophrenia.

How It Works:

Quetiapine or Seroquel affects the levels of neurotransmitters - serotonin, dopamine - in the nervous system to alleviate the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Side Effects:

Quetiapine or Seroquel is an atypical antipsychotic in that it is considered as effective as other antipsychotics, but with a significantly lower incidence of extrapyramidal or movement side effects - less restlessness.
Quetiapine or Seroquel has been associated with drowsiness, dizziness, and headaches.

Cautions for People:

Quetiapine or Seroquel may be able to increase the risk of cataracts, and people should have their eyes checked on a routine basis. It does have the ability to affect thyroid levels, however the clinical importance of this effect, if any, is unclear.
The safety of Quetiapine or Seroquel is unknown in young children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. Lower doses may be needed for older people.

Drug Interactions:

Because Quetiapine or Seroquel can cause drowsiness, it must be used with care with other drugs that can also cause drowsiness. Quetiapine or Seroquel has been associated with postural hypotension, and should also be used with care in combination with other drugs that also produce this effect.

Further Reading:

J Clin Psychopharmacol 1996;16:158
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1997;54:549
Am J Psychiatry 1997; Apr Supp:1

Added to Virtual Drugstore July 1998.

The relevant product monographs must be regarded as the appropriate sources of prescribing information.

Share and Enjoy

Tags

drug, drugs, medication, medicine, prescription, side effects, interactions, cautions, use, reference, pharmacy, pharmacist,quetiapine,seroquel,schizophrenia