FAQs:
Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug used to treat various disorders related to mental conditions or mood. It acts on a variety of neurotransmitters in the brain and maintains a balance between them. It is prescribed in cases of schizophrenia, mania, bipolar disorder, and depression. Quetiapine is available in various dosages viz. 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg tablets for oral use. It is also available as sustained-release tablets for prolonged action.
What are the uses of quetiapine?
Doctors prescribe quetiapine for:
– Treating schizophrenia, a disorder characterized by abnormal feelings and behavior and often associated with hallucinations and delusions
– Effectively reducing hallucinations and improving orientation and concentration
– Treating mania, a psychological condition characterized by intense moods, unexplained euphoria, hyperactivity, and delusions
– Treating bipolar disorder, a mental disorder characterized by sudden episodes of mania and depression
– Uplifting mood and energy levels
– Improving appetite and sleep
– Reducing nervousness and mood swings
What are the side effects of quetiapine?
Most side effects associated with quetiapine are self-limiting and resolve on their own without requiring medical intervention. However, if a symptom starts hindering your progress or gets worse, inform your doctor immediately.
Common side effects
– Headache
– Dizziness
– Constipation
– Stomach upsets
– Dry mouth
– Drowsiness
– Blurred vision
– Weight gain
– Tachycardia (elevated heart rate)
– Rashes
– Joint and muscle pain
– Low blood hemoglobin levels
– Increased triglyceride levels
Uncommon side effects
– QTc prolongation (a condition where the heart takes longer to recharge between beats)
– Myocarditis
– Exfoliative dermatitis
– Pancreatitis
– Nosebleeds
– Nightmares
– Rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue releasing harmful proteins into the bloodstream)
– Prolonged erection in men
1. How to get off quetiapine?
Quetiapine is a prescription drug. Use it strictly as prescribed by your doctor, as they will have charted out a plan for you to get off quetiapine, once the desired results are visible. Sudden discontinuation can lead to nausea, abdominal discomfort, or even withdrawal symptoms. If you are feeling better, inform your doctor who can taper the dose safely before finally taking it off your prescription.
3. Is quetiapine good for sleep?
No. Although quetiapine tends to induce sleep or cause drowsiness, it is not a sleeping pill. It is only approved for treating mental disorders like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, hallucinations, and mania. It can also improve mood. Report to your doctor if you experience excessive sleepiness while on quetiapine. We also recommend consulting our experts to learn about effective medications that can treat sleeplessness.
4. Is quetiapine dangerous?
Quetiapine is generally a safe medication with an approved beneficial profile for treating mania, schizophrenia, hallucinations, bipolar disorders, and depression. However, you must take it as prescribed by your doctor. Unapproved use or overdose could lead to serious and life-threatening side effects. Inform your doctor promptly in cases of overdose or unapproved use.
5. Is quetiapine the same as Xanax?
No. Xanax contains alprazolam which is from the benzodiazepine class of drugs. It is primarily indicated for anxiety-related disorders. On the other hand, quetiapine belongs to the atypical antipsychotic class of drugs, primarily used to treat psychosis and related symptoms. Talk to our consultants for advice on the uses and benefits of quetiapine and other drugs for treating schizophrenia and mania.
7. Does quetiapine make you high?
Quetiapine at prescribed doses is not known to make you high. However, abuse or intentional misuse of quetiapine has the potential to make someone dangerously high with severe intensity. Snorting powdered quetiapine or intravenous use can cause addiction. Therefore, ensure you’re taking extreme precautions to take quetiapine only at the prescribed dosage and frequency.
8. How long does it take quetiapine to start working?
Quetiapine is a slow-acting drug. You might see improvements in a few symptoms approximately after a week of starting quetiapine therapy. It might take around 4 weeks for the full benefits to appear. If you do not feel your symptoms improve even after a few weeks, inform your doctor who might adjust the dose or suggest an alternative medication.
9. What does quetiapine do to the brain?
Quetiapine acts on various chemical messengers in the brain called neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. Mental disorders disturb the balance in the presence of these neurotransmitters. Quetiapine restores the balance between dopamine and serotonin by reducing the overactivity of dopamine. Thus, it effectively treats schizophrenia and mania.
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Side Effects:
– Dizziness
– Constipation
– Stomach upsets
– Dry mouth
– Drowsiness
– Blurred vision
– Weight gain
– Tachycardia (elevated heart rate)
– Rashes
– Joint and muscle pain
– Low blood hemoglobin levels
– Increased triglyceride levels
– QTc prolongation (a condition where the heart takes longer to recharge between beats)
– Myocarditis
– Exfoliative dermatitis
– Pancreatitis
– Nosebleeds
– Nightmares
– Rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue releasing harmful proteins into the bloodstream)
– Prolonged erection in men
References:
More about Quetiapine:
Most side effects associated with quetiapine are self-limiting and resolve on their own without requiring medical intervention. However, if a symptom starts hindering your progress or gets worse, inform your doctor immediately.