Description

Seroquel is an antipsychotic drug that provides a sedative action on the central nervous system. It contains Quetiapine. The use of Seroquel is reasonable during acute and chronic forms of the mental disorders including schizophrenia, psychoses, maniac states, and bipolar disorders.

During one of the medical studies, Seroquel has reduced the symptoms of schizophrenia in more than 60% of patients within 6 weeks. A stable therapeutic effect occurs in 3 weeks after the use of the drug.

Seroquel has a high safety and a broad dosing, and therefore it is allowed for a long-term treatment of the mental disorders. Seroquel is a safe and effective replacement of other antipsychotics, and this is also proved by the medical practice. It seldom causes an inhibition of the central nervous system, does not cause depression.

In what dose is Seroquel used?

To treat schizophrenia, Seroquel is used in the minimal daily dose of 50 mg. A dose is gradually increased up to 50 mg per day within the first 4 days. On the 5^th day, the dose is increased up to 300 mg per day, and the treatment is continued this way. Using high doses of Seroquel, a daily dose is divided into 2 equal parts and is used with the interval of 8 hours.

In case of the low efficiency of Seroquel 300 mg per day, a dose may be increased. If needed, a dose may be increased up to 750 mg per day. The maximal dose may be used for a short period. In case of the significant improvement of the health, a dose is reduced up to 300-450 mg per day.

To treat psychoses or bipolar disorders, a scheme of the treatment is the same. A change of the dose is required for patients with dysfunction of kidneys or liver. These patients should begin taking Seroquel from the dose of 25 mg per day and increase a daily dose by 25 mg per day.

On the average, a therapeutic dose should be by two times lower for patients with diseases of kidneys and liver.

The treatment of the mental disorders may continue for 3 to 9 months depending on the intensity of the symptoms. During rehabilitation, Seroquel is not used, and lighter sedative products are prescribed to remove a load from the central nervous system.

Precautions

• Despite a high pharmacological safety of Seroquel, it still inhibits some psychomotor functions. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful during doing potentially dangerous activities. If possible, restrict driving
• If a patient is under 18 years old, the use of Seroquel is not recommended
• A patient should be controlled within the first 15 days after the started treatment. Suicidal thoughts may appear within this period

Side effects

A sensitivity to Seroquel may be detected only in practice. Therefore, the treatment is usually started from the minimal doses.

In case of the high sensitivity to Seroquel, a patient may have side effects: sleepiness, dizziness, asthenia, tremor, muscle spasms, tachycardia, nausea, and dry skin. If the side effects are light, a cessation of Seroquel is not required. If the side effects bother you, visit a physician.