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Seroquel: Patients
built 628 days ago
Seroquel (quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia, and for the treatment of acute manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Seroquel is ... approved for the treatment of patients with depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder in the US only. Illnesses that affect the brain, such as schizophrenia, may be due to certain chemicals in the brain being out of balance.
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Seroquel is in the class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics, which are a newer class of antipsychotics touted as having a lower incidence of blood sugar disorders than the older medications such as Haldol and Thorazine. However, after Seroquel, and other drugs in the class, were approved and used by millions of patients, studies suggest that Seroquel could elevate the risk of developing diabetes.
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Patients on Seroquel must avoid driving, operating machinery or performing any other hazardous tasks since the medication may lead to dizziness or drowsiness, making these activities dangerous. Dizziness may ... occur if you try to rise from a sitting or lying position and care should be taken while doing so. Alcohol may supplement the dizziness and drowsiness caused by this medication. Adequate fluid intake should be maintained, especially during hot weather and exercising as these conditions may lead to overheated state while on Seroquel. Patients with liver disease or other problems with their liver, heart disease or other heart problems such as high blood pressure, a previous heart attack, or irregular heartbeats, high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides (types of fat) in the blood, diabetes, or those who were diagnosed with breast cancer, Alzheimer's disease, seizures or epilepsy, or hypothyroidism should inform their doctor before starting on Seroquel as these conditions may need special dose and/or monitoring during treatment.
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Usually, dosages of Seroquel for the treatment of schizophrenia range from between 300 and 400 milligrams per day. This dose is divided into two or three small doses. For some patients, a low dose of 150 mg proves effective; some may exceed 400 mg, but rarely will a prescription be for more than 750 mg daily, and more than 800 mg per day has not been tested for safety. Dosing starts low and increases over a four day period to find the optimal dose. The introductory dosing schedule usually follows this protocol:
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Seroquel has been linked to a high incidence of type 2 diabetes, hyperglycemia and other blood sugar disorders. Data from a 2003 study, reported at the international society from pharmacoepidemiology conference, suggests that patients taking Seroquel had 33.4 times as many cases of diabetes as those on older antipsychotic drugs. The FDA issued a Med Watch safety alert concerning the increased risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes in patients taking Seroquel.
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Zyprexa and Seroquel tamper with the body's chemical levels and this appears to impact blood sugar levels. 23 patients have reportedly died from Zyprexa induced blood sugar elevation. Diabetes is similar to this where patients have blood sugar regulation problems. Patients with an existing diabetes condition should avoid Zyprexa because it could make their condition worse.
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