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Seroquel
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Important Resources for Seroquel:
Seroquel belongs to a family of drugs called atypical antipsychotics. Other related members of this family are Clozaril (clozapine) and Zyprexa(olanzapine).
Seroquel is marketed by AstraZeneca.
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Uses
Seroquel is used for the treatment of:
- Depressive episodes in bipolar disorder
- Manic episodes in bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
How Seroquel is Taken
Seroquel is available in 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg oral tablets.
Depressive episodes with bipolar disorder
Seroquel is increasingly dosed once daily at bedtime moving to a target dose of 300 mg/day by Day 4. Seroquel is usually started at 50 mg on Day 1, 100 mg on Day 2, 200 mg on Day 3, and 300 mg on Day 4.
Manic episode with bipolar disorder
Seroquel is started at 50 mg twice a day on Day 1. The dosage is increased by 100 mg/day until the target dose of 200 mg twice a day is reached, usually by Day 4.
Schizophrenia
Seroquel is started at 25 mg twice daily. The dosage is increased in increments of 25-50 mg twice or three times daily on the second and third day. The target dosage of 300-400 mg two or three times daily is usually reached by the fourth day.
How Seroquel Works
The precise mechanism of Seroquel is not known.
However, Seroquel is believed to inhibit dopamine type 2 and serotonin type 2 receptors in the brain.
How the Body Affects Seroquel
Seroquel is rapidly absorbed. It reaches peak circulating levels in 1-2 hours after being taken.
Seroquel is extensively metabolized by the liver.
Approximately 73% is excreted of ingested Seroquel is excreted in the urine, and 20% is excreted in the feces.
Side Effects
The most common side effects (>5% of patients) observed with Seroquel use are:
- Sleepiness (18%)
- Dizziness (11%)
- Dry mouth (9%)
- Constipation (8%)
- Weight gain (5%)
- Indigestion (5%)
Risks and Precautions
Behavioral Changes and Suicide Risk
Seroquel may produce anxiety/panic attacks, agitation, insomnia, irritability, hostility/aggressiveness, impulsivity, restlessness, hypomania/mania, and other unusual changes in behavior, including worsening of depression and suicidal thoughts.
Orthostatic Hypotension
Seroquel may produce orthostatic hypotension (dizzinesss/fainting on standing due to low blood pressure ).
Sleepiness
Seroquel may produce sleepiness. People taking Seroquel are usually advised to avoid activities involving alertness, such as driving, until the effects of Seroquel are known.
Nursing mothers
Seroquel is transferred in human breast milk, so mothers are advised not to breastfeed while on Seroquel.
Heat Exposure and Dehydration
Overheating and dehydration have been reported with Seroquel use.
Leukopenia/Neutropenia
Leukopenia/neutropenia (low white blood cell counts) have been observed with Seroquel use.
Drug Interactions
Drug interactions have not been extensively studied yet. Given Seroquel's effects on the brain, Seroquel may interact with other central nervous drugs.
Drinking alcohol is not advised while using Seroquel.
Seroquel may enhance the effects of blood pressure lowering medications.
Seroquel may inhibit the effects of levodopa and dopamine agonists (treatments for Parkinson's disease).
Effectiveness
Seroquel's effectiveness has been studied in treating:[1]
- Depressive episodes in bipolar disorder
- Manic episodes in bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
Depressive episodes in bipolar disorder
The effectiveness of Seroquel for the treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder was established in two studies involving over 1,000 participants.
In both studies, Seroquel was more effective than placebo in the reduction of depressive symptoms. Improvement in symptoms was seen after the first week.
Manic episodes in bipolar disorder
The effectiveness of Seroquel in the treatment of acute manic episodes was established in two trials involving almost 600 patients with manic episodes.
In both studies, Seroquel was found to be more effective than placebo in the reduction of the manic symptoms.
Schizophrenia
The effectiveness of Seroquel in the treatment of schizophrenia was established in three trials of inpatients with schizophrenia:
- In a trial involving 361 patients, and 5 fixed doses of Seroquel (75, 150, 300, 600 and 750 mg/day), the 4 highest doses were more effective than placebo. The maximal effect was seen at 300 mg/day.
- In a trial involving 286 patients, an average dose of 500 mg/day was more effective than placebo.
- In a trial involving 618 patients, 450 mg/day was more effective than the 50 mg/day.
References
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The content on or accessible through Medpedia.com is for informational purposes only. Medpedia is not a substitute for professional advice or expert medical services from a qualified health professional.
Read more
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