Seroquel Description

Seroquel or generic Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic medication that is prescribed to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, while Bipolar disorder is characterized by periods of extremely elevated mood (mania), extremely low mood (depression), and normal mood. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

How Seroquel Can Treat Your Symptoms

Seroquel affects the actions of certain chemicals in the brain. These chemicals – dopamine and serotonin, are involved in regulating mood and behavior. Too much serotonin can cause rapid mood swings that range from feeling overly happy to a very sad or blue mood. Dopamine controls memory, attention, and problem solving tasks but too much could be the reason for hallucinations and delusions that schizophrenics may exhibit.

Conditions Treated by Seroquel

Symptoms of schizophrenia usually appear between ages 16 and 30, although in rare cases, children have schizophrenia too. Some of the symptoms of schizophrenia include delusions, hallucinations such as hearing voices, fragmented thinking and speech, and inappropriate behaviors and emotional responses.

Although there is no single, proven cause of bipolar disorder, it clearly makes people with the disorder more vulnerable to emotional and physical stresses. As a result, upsetting life experiences, alcohol, illicit drug use, lack of sleep, or other stresses can trigger episodes of illness, even though these stresses do not actually cause the disorder.

Treatment plans for bipolar disorder are designed to manage current episodes and to prevent future episodes. Treatment may include antipsychotic medications such as Seroquel and/or anti-depressant medicines and mood stabilizing drugs. Other important components of treatment include family support and professional counseling.

Before Seroquel is Prescribed

Discuss other health conditions you are concerned about with your doctor and list all OTC and Rx medications you are taking, including homeopathic remedies and vitamin supplements. Combining some drugs can result in a change of their efficacy or unintended side effects. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Seroquel as it’s unknown whether it could be harmful to an unborn baby.

Seroquel Precautions

When you first start taking Seroquel, you may have thoughts of harming yourself, so it’s important to keep regular doctor visits and inform your friends and family should they notice a change in your behavior. Seroquel should not be used to treat psychotic conditions related to dementia.

Possible Side Effects of Seroquel

• Chills
• Confusion
• Sleepiness
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

You should consult your doctor immediately if you experience abnormal movements, particularly of the face, lips, jaw and tongue, while taking Seroquel or generic Quetiapine. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

Drugs Similar to Seroquel

• Risperdal
• Haldol
• Abilify