Seroquel (quetiapine) is a prescription medicine. It is used to treat psychotic symptoms of such illnesses as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, including hallucinations, delusions, catatonia and paranoia. Seroquel is an antipsychotic medicine, It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain. Seroquel is also used together with antidepressant medications to treat major depressive disorder in adults and sleeping disorders.
Before taking Seroquel
To make sure you can safely take Seroquel, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
liver or kidney disease
a thyroid disorder
cataracts
a thyroid disorder
a personal or family history of diabetes
high cholesterol or triglycerides
heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, a history of heart attack or stroke
Seroquel Side Effects
Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common: constipation; headaches; dizziness; lightheadedness; fainting; dry mouth; drowsiness; dry mouth; increased weight; indigestion; high cholesterol; nausea ; vomiting
Less common: Abdominal pain; abnormal vision; decrease in appetite; decreased strength and energy; feeling of fast or irregular heartbeat; headache; increased muscle tone; increased sweating; stuffy or runny nose; vision problems
Stop taking this medicine and get emergency help immediately if the following side effects occur:
convulsions (seizures); difficult or unusually fast breathing; fast heartbeat or irregular pulse; high fever; high or low (irregular) blood pressure; increased sweating; loss of bladder control; severe muscle stiffness; unusually pale skin; unusual tiredness or weakness.
The effectiveness of Seroquel for long-term use and its interaction with other medications have not been studied extensively. Therefore, patients taking this drug for extended periods of time should be monitored closely by a physician and re-evaluated over time.
What other information should I know?
Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking Seroquel.
Avoid overheating and dehydration.
Seroquel is not approved for pediatric use.
Patients with liver disease should start at the lowest dose (25 mg) and increase the dosage slowly.
Other Seroquel side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
