Seroquel

What is Seroquel

Seroquel is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

Seroquel is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions, including hallucinations, delusions, and confusion.

Seroquel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

General medical information about Seroquel

Call your doctor immediately or seek medical attention if you experience uncontrollable movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms, or legs.

Call your doctor immediately or seek medical attention if you experience fever, sweating, severe muscle stiffness (rigidity), confusion, fast or irregular heart beats. These could be symptoms of a potentially fatal side effect called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS).

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Seroquel may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

Avoid alcohol during treatment with Seroquel. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by Seroquel.

Use caution in hot weather and during exercise to avoid becoming overheated during treatment. It is easy to become dangerously dehydrated while taking Seroquel.

What you should find out before taking Seroquel

Before taking Seroquel, tell your doctor if you have:
- liver disease or other problems with your liver;
- heart disease or other heart problems such as high blood pressure, a previous heart attack, or irregular heartbeats;
- high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides (types of fat) in your blood;
- Alzheimer's disease;
- seizures or epilepsy; or
- hypothyroidism.

You may not be able to take Seroquel, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Seroquel is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Seroquel will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is also not known whether Seroquel passes into breast milk. Do not take Seroquel without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should take Seroquel

Take Seroquel exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Seroquel can be taken with or without food.

Seroquel is usually taken several times a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not stop taking Seroquel without first talking to your doctor. It may be several weeks before you begin to feel better, and stopping the medication may lead to a return of symptoms.

Store Seroquel at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose:

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if you overdose:

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a Seroquel overdose include drowsiness, increased heart rate, and low blood pressure.

Avoid while taking Seroquel

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Seroquel may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

Avoid alcohol during treatment with Seroquel. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by Seroquel.

Use caution in hot weather and during exercise to avoid becoming overheated during treatment. It is easy to become dangerously dehydrated while taking Seroquel.

Possible side effects of Seroquel

Stop taking Seroquel and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives) to Seroquel.

Call your doctor immediately or seek medical attention if you experience uncontrollable movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms, or legs.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Seroquel and talk to your doctor if you experience
- dizziness or drowsiness;
- agitation;
- constipation;
- dry mouth; or
- weight gain.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Seroquel

Before taking Seroquel, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- carbamazepine (Tegretol);
- phenytoin (Dilantin);
- phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
- rifampin (Rifadin);
- ketoconazole (Nizoral);
- itraconazole (Sporanox);
- fluconazole (Diflucan);
- erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, E.E.S., others);
- a steroid such as prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), dexamethasone (Decadron), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, others), or cortisone (Cortef, others);
- a medication to treat high blood pressure or another heart condition; or
- a medication to treat Parkinson's disease including levodopa (Sinemet, Larodopa, Dopar), selegiline (Eldepryl), pramipexole (Mirapex), ropinirole (Requip), and others.

You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Seroquel may also increase the effects of drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants, and many others. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Seroquel. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.