May 2008
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May 2008
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Of Like Minds is now Mood! Over 175 articles on: Help support Mood --
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The medication Seroquel® (quetiapine) is approved by the FDA for the treatment of bipolar depression, in both bipolar I and bipolar II. Seroquel was previously approved as a treatment for bipolar mania. Although Seroquel is in a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics, it is used as a medication for people who have bipolar disorder whether or not they have ever experienced "psychosis." In addition to its use as a treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder, it is used alone or with lithium or divalproex (Depakote®) to treat acute manic episodes. It has been found to be an effective medication for both. Seroquel is also used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia How does it work? How is it taken? Patients should begin taking Seroquel at a lower dose, gradually increasing the dosage. Some doctors start as low as 25 mg, although the target dose for the treatment of bipolar depression is 300 mg per night. Doctors want to raise the dose as quickly as is tolerable to the target dose, avoiding daytime sedation the following day. That increase may take as little as four days or as long as several weeks. For bipolar disorder depression, Seroquel should be taken once daily at bedtime to reach 300 mg/day by day four. For bipolar mania, Seroquel is usually started at 100 mg/day, and increased in increments of up to 100 mg/day to 400 mg/day on day 4. Further adjustments up to 800 mg/day by day 6 should be in increments of no greater than 200 mg/day. The majority of patients respond to dosages between 400 to 800 mg/day. It's important to take this medication as directed and not to stop taking it without talking to your doctor. How fast does it work? What are its side effects? The most common side effects include headache, agitation, dry mouth, constipation, pain, vomiting, upset stomach and weight gain. Dizziness, and sometimes fainting, caused by a drop in blood pressure may happen with Seroquel, especially when you first start taking this medicine, if the dose is increased quickly. Prescribing doctors will monitor closely for 1.) glucose increases, which could lead to an increased risk for diabetes, 2.) increases in cholesterol, which raises cardiovascular disease risk and 3.) weight gain. These are all related concerns, sometimes referred to as "metabolic syndrome."
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Seroquel may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills. You should be careful in operating machinery, including automobiles, until you know how Seroquel affects you. It is important to avoid overheating and dehydration while taking Seroquel, because it may make it harder to lower your body temperature. Sleepiness can be a side effect. In clinical trials, according to the manufacturer, when taken alone for bipolar mania 18 percent of patients reported somnolence (sleepiness.) Almost twice as many reported this effect when taking Seroquel with another medication. Twenty-eight percent of participants taking Seroquel alone for bipolar depression experienced it. Not all patients minded the drowsiness. While not approved or marketed as a sleep aid, many doctors prescribe Seroquel for their patients who are suffering from sleep problems. Studies also reported that no more than six percent of patients reported weight gain. However, doctors and patients frequently report food cravings and added pounds. Tell your doctor if you have or had heart problems, cataracts, thyroid disorder, high cholesterol or triglycerides, seizures, diabetes or increased blood sugar or liver disease. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. Patients should be aware of risks and interactions with other medications. What do users say about it?
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