Seroquel (Quetiapine)
What is Seroquel?
Seroquel is a powerful neuroleptic used to treat psychotic disorders. Seroquel is
in the group of neuroleptics called atypical antipsychotic (AAP) and is applied
within the course of therapeutic measures aimed at treating schizophrenia and
bipolar disorder.
Drug Description
Seroquel belongs to the class of atypical antipsychotic drugs. Antipsychotic
drugs reduce hallucinations, manic signs and psychomotor agitation in patients
with schizophrenia and other psychoses. These medicines stand out due to lower
side effects profile, while the effects they produce is very similar to those of
typical antipsychotics. The symptoms completely disappear or greatly decrease in
approximately 75% of patients, while 25% of patients are resistant to the
treatment.
Seroquel is taken in the course of the treatment of maniacal depression,
schizophrenia and other psychological states as indicated by the prescriber.
This drug affects a special kind of chemicals found in the human brain that
determine different brain processes and conditions like thinking and behavior.
These chemicals are also responsible for the mood changes. Severe imbalances of
these substances cause personality changes. This is where Seroquel's main
medicinal component quetiapine steps in; it is used to balance those chemicals
and normalize the patient's behavior.
How to use This Drug?
The medication is taken according to the doctor's prescription. One should use this drug orally with or without food. A dose can be taken any time that is convenient for you, but to avoid forgetting about it and missing the dose you should better choose a certain time and stick to it. When a dose is missed it is taken as soon as possible or skipped. A double dose is never taken except for the cases when it is individually prescribed by the doctor.
Normally its effect is noticeable already after several weeks of treatment. But
though at some point of the therapy course a patient can feel better and certain
progress seems to be achieved, the admission of the drug needs to be continued
until the treatment ends. Seroquel is taken regularly to gain the best
effect.
Safety Precautions
During treatment with Seroquel are advised to refrain from using machinery and driving vehicles.
There is a possibility that the symptoms of sexual dysfunction are not reported by all patients, and these can remain unreported or unrecognized in clinical practice. The frequency of sexual dysfunction when using Seroquel is low: of all patients treated with Seroquel in controlled clinical trials, only 13 reported on the problems of a sexual nature that might be associated with treatment. The rarity of complaints of sexual dysfunction may reflect the rarity/absence of sustained hyperprolactinemia observed in the employment.