Seroquel what type of drug

For quetiapine to work properly, it should be taken every day as ordered by your healthcare provider. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your healthcare provider to best manage your medications.

People living with schizophrenia who wish to become pregnant face important decisions. This is a complex decision since untreated schizophrenia has risks to the fetus, as well as the mother. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caregivers. Symptoms in the newborn may include agitation, feeding disorder, hypertonia, hypotonia, respiratory distress, somnolence, and tremor; these may be self-limiting or require hospitalization.

Quetiapine is usually taken 1, 2, or 3 times per day with or without food. Typically patients begin at a low dose of medicine and the dose is increased slowly over several weeks. The dose usually ranges from mg to mg. Only your healthcare provider can determine the correct dose for you. The extended release tablets should be swallowed whole. They should not be chewed, crushed, or broken. Use a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take your medication.

You may also ask a family member or a friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication. If you miss a dose of quetiapine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose. Discuss this with your healthcare provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed.

Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking quetiapine. They may decrease the benefits e. If an overdose occurs call your doctor or You may need urgent medical care. You may also contact the poison control center at Increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, drowsiness, headache, agitation, dizziness, fatigue, extrapyramidal symptoms, weight gain, cholesterol abnormalities, increased glucose, dry mouth, increased appetite, constipation.

Quetiapine may increase the blood levels of a hormone called prolactin. Side effects of increased prolactin levels include females losing their period, production of breast milk and males losing their sex drive or possibly experiencing erectile problems. Long term months or years of elevated prolactin can lead to osteoporosis, or increased risk of bone fractures. Some people may develop muscle related side effects while taking quetiapine. Symptoms of EPS include restlessness, tremor, and stiffness.

TD symptoms include slow or jerky movements that one cannot control, often starting in the mouth with tongue rolling or chewing movements. Temperature regulation: Impaired core body temperature regulation may occur; caution with strenuous exercise, heat exposure, and dehydration.

Second generation antipsychotics SGAs increase the risk of weight gain, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol. This is also known as metabolic syndrome. Your healthcare provider may ask you for a blood sample to check your cholesterol, blood sugar, and hemoglobin A1c a measure of blood sugar over time while you take this medication. Information on healthy eating and adding exercise to decrease your chances of developing metabolic syndrome may be found at the following sites:.

SGAs have been linked with higher risk of death, strokes, and transient ischemic attacks TIAs in elderly people with behavior problems due to dementia. All antipsychotics have been associated with the risk of sudden cardiac death due to an arrhythmia irregular heartbeat. To minimize this risk, antipsychotic medications should be used in the smallest effective dose when the benefits outweigh the risks.

Your doctor may order an EKG to monitor for irregular heartbeat. Symptoms include confusion, fever, extreme muscle stiffness, and sweating.

How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names. Important warning for older adults with dementia: Studies have shown that older adults with dementia a brain disorder that affects the ability to remember, think clearly, communicate, and perform daily activities and that may cause changes in mood and personality who take antipsychotics medications for mental illness such as quetiapine have an increased risk of death during treatment.

Swallow quetiapine extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow? Before taking quetiapine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to quetiapine, any other medications.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients. Be sure to mention any of the following: antidepressants; certain antifungals such as fluconazole Diflucan , itraconazole Onmel, Sporanox , ketoconazole Nizoral , and voriconazole Vfend ; antihistamines; barbiturates such as phenobarbital; carbamazepine Tegretol ; chlorpromazine; divalproex Depakote ; certain medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone Nexterone , procainamide, quinidine, and sotalol Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine ; dopamine agonists such as bromocriptine Parlodel , cabergoline Dostinex , levodopa Dopar, Larodopa , pergolide Permax , and ropinirole Requip ; erythromycin E.

Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Also tell your doctor if you have ever used street drugs or overused prescription medications. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a low level of potassium or magnesium in your blood, a low number of white blood cells, are unable to completely empty your bladder, any condition that makes it difficult for you to swallow, trouble keeping your balance, seizures, cataracts, high cholesterol, high prolactin levels, an enlarged prostate, high or low blood pressure, a heart attack, a stroke, breast cancer or thyroid, heart or liver disease.

Tell your doctor if you have constipation, severe vomiting, diarrhea or signs of dehydration now, or if you develop these symptoms at any time during your treatment. Also, if you have ever had to stop taking a medication for mental illness because of severe side effects, be sure to tell your doctor.

If you become pregnant while taking quetiapine, call your doctor. Quetiapine may cause problems in newborns following delivery if it is taken during the last months of pregnancy. You should not breastfeed while taking quetiapine. Do not drive a car or operate machinery and take precautions to avoid falls until you know how this medication affects you. Do not drink alcohol while taking quetiapine.

If you have schizophrenia, you are more likely to develop diabetes than people who do not have schizophrenia, and taking quetiapine or similar medications may increase this risk. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms while you are taking quetiapine: extreme thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, blurred vision, or weakness.

It is very important to call your doctor as soon as you have any of these symptoms, because high blood sugar can cause a serious condition called ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis may become life-threatening if it is not treated at an early stage. Symptoms of ketoacidosis include: dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, breath that smells fruity, and decreased consciousness.

While you are taking quetiapine, you should avoid excessive exercise, stay inside as much as possible and dress lightly in hot weather, stay out of the sun, and drink plenty of fluids. This is more common when you first start taking quetiapine and when your dose is increased.

To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up. When quetiapine is used in children or teenagers, your doctor will check your blood pressure before starting treatment and regularly while you are taking this medication. Be sure to drink plenty of water every day while you are taking this medication. Quetiapine may cause side effects.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following: drowsiness dizziness fainting fast heartbeat. What other information should I know? Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

This medicine may affect a drug-screening urine test and you may have false results. Tell the laboratory staff that you use quetiapine. Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time. Let your doctor know if you experience any severe or unusual side effects. Typically, doctors prefer to start patients on a low dose of quetiapine and gradually increase it. Missing a dose of quetiapine can increase your chances of having a relapse in symptoms.

Try not to miss any doses. Health Topics. Health Tools. Quetiapine Seroquel. Reviewed: December 10, You should not use quetiapine if you are allergic to it. Tell your doctor if you have ever had: liver disease; heart problems; high or low blood pressure; low white blood cell WBC counts; abnormal thyroid tests or prolactin levels; constipation or urination problems; an enlarged prostate; a seizure; glaucoma or cataracts; high cholesterol or triglycerides; diabetes in you or a family member ; or trouble swallowing.

You should not breastfeed while you are using quetiapine. Side Effects. Side Effects What are the side effects of Quetiapine Seroquel? Call your doctor at once if you have: uncontrolled muscle movements in your face chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement ; mask-like appearance of the face, trouble swallowing, problems with speech; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; severe constipation; painful or difficult urination; blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights; severe nervous system reaction --very stiff rigid muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, fainting; high blood sugar --increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor; or low white blood cell counts --fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing, feeling light-headed.

Common side effects may include: speech problems; dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness; lack of energy; fast heartbeats; stuffy nose; increased appetite, weight gain; upset stomach, vomiting, constipation; dry mouth; or problems moving. Based on FDA pregnancy categories. Interactions What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Quetiapine Seroquel? Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.