QUETIAPINE – ORAL
Seroquel Oral Uses
This medication is used with or without other medications to treat certain mental/mood conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia). Quetiapine is known as an anti-psychotic drug (atypical type). It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain.
This medication can decrease hallucinations and improve your concentration. It helps you to think more clearly and positively about yourself, feel less nervous, and take a more active part in everyday life. Quetiapine can help prevent severe mood swings or decrease how often mood swings occur.
How to use Seroquel OralRead the Medication Guide available from your pharmacist before you start using quetiapine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 2 or 3 times daily or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Your doctor will start you at a low dose and gradually increase the dose to reduce the dizziness and lightheadedness that may occur when you first start to take this drug. It may take several weeks to notice the full benefit of this drug.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. If you stop taking quetiapine for more than one week, notify your doctor. If you restart the drug, you may need to start at a low dose and gradually increase the dose again.
Continue taking this medication exactly as prescribed, even if you are feeling better and thinking more clearly. Do not stop taking this medication without first consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped.
This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as trouble sleeping, nausea, diarrhea, irritability) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.
Limit the amount of grapefruit or grapefruit juice you may eat or drink while being treated with this medication unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Grapefruit may increase the amount of certain medications in your blood stream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
Seroquel Oral Side Effects
Constipation, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, stomach pain/upset, tiredness, weight gain, nasal congestion, or dry mouth may occur. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, unusually fast/irregular heartbeat, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), mental/mood changes (e.g., increased anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts), difficulty swallowing, weakness, swelling arms/legs/feet.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: seizures, vision changes.
Quetiapine may rarely cause a condition known as tardive dyskinesia. In some cases, this condition may be permanent. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any unusual/uncontrolled movements (especially of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, arms or legs).
For males, in the very unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection (lasting more than 4 hours), stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could occur.
This drug may infrequently cause a serious (rarely fatal) nervous system disorder (neuroleptic malignant syndrome). Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following rare but very serious side effects: muscle stiffness, high fever, increased sweating, fast heartbeat, mental/mood changes, change in the amount of urine.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.