Seroquel XR (quetiapine)

Seroquel XR Description

Seroquel XR is a medicinal drug, which contains quetiapine. Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug that is used in treating schizophrenia and mixed, depressive or manic episodes of bipolar disorder. Quetiapine is also used as an augmentor for maintaining the treatment of bipolar disorder and depression. Quetiapine does its work by altering the various actions of the different chemicals present in the brain.

Seroquel XR, which contains quetiapine, is thus an antipsychotic medicine. Seroquel XR is used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other mental conditions.

Conditions Treated by Seroquel XR

Seroquel XR is used primarily for treating schizophrenia (in both children and adults) and to treat manic depression or bipolar disorder. Seroquel XR works through the presence of quetiapine, which alters the effect that various chemicals have on the brain. Seroquel XR can also be combined with various anti depressant medicines to treat various symptoms of depression. Seroquel XR may also find application in treating various other medical conditions that are not listed here.

Seroquel XR Dosage Information

a.) Typical Dosage Recommendations

It is extremely important that you take Seroquel XR exactly as your doctor prescribes. Be very careful not to take bigger or smaller amounts or administer the drug for a longer time than recommended and follow the directions given on the prescription label.

You should take each dosage of Seroquel XR with a filled glass or 8 ounces of water. The drug can be administered with or without food. Instead of breaking, chewing or crushing the extended-release tablet, swallow it whole. Seroquel XR is specially designed in order to release the drug slowly into your body and breaking the pill open can cause an excessive amounts of the drug to be let out in one go, destroy the prolonged effect of the drug and increase the onset of side effects.

Your doctor may change the dosage of your medication from time to time in order to ensure that you are receiving the maximum possible benefit from using the medication.

b.) Missing A dose

If you end up missing a dose, take the missed dose the moment you remember to do so. If however you remember when it is time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not however take any extra medication to make up for this missed dose.

c) Overdosing

If you overdose on Seroquel XR, seek medical attention right away.

Seroquel XR Warnings

Seroquel XR can prove to be harmful if you happen to be suffering from certain conditions. It is important that you avoid taking Seroquel XR if you suffer from severe liver disease. You should also consult a doctor or a pharmacist for dose adjustments or special tests to make sure it is safe for you to take the drug if you happen to be suffering from the following medical conditions:

• Heart disease
• Problems of heart rhythm
• Elevated blood pressure levels
• family history of suffering from heart attacks
• family history of suffering from strokes
• family history of suffering from low counts of white blood cells
• Liver disease
• Epileptic fits or seizures
• Kidney disease
• family history of suffering from diabetes
• Trouble in swallowing
• Cataracts
• Disorders of the thyroid gland
• High cholesterol
• High level of triglycerides

While you are taking Seroquel XR, you may initially have suicidal thoughts and tendencies, particularly if you are less than twenty four years of age. In case this happens, you should immediately tell your doctor and consult with him thoroughly in this regard. Also keep your family members and friends alerted to various mood swings that you may exhibit while you are using the medicine.

Seroquel XR has the potential of impairing your reflexes, reactions and thinking ability. Hence you should exercise extreme care and caution while performing activities that require you to be especially alert and awake such as driving. Also avoid becoming dehydrated or overheated while on the medicine as Seroquel XR can make you more likely to develop heat stroke. Also, limit your consumption of alcohol as it can aggravate side effects of using Seroquel XR.

Avoid using Seroquel XR if you happen to be pregnant as the drug could cause harm to the unborn baby. Hence, thoroughly consult your doctor regarding the administration of the drug whilst being pregnant and seek out less harmful alternatives. Also, do not take the medicine if you are allergic to quetiapine, the chemical contained within the medicine.

Seroquel XR Side Effects

As with most other drugs, Seroquel XR has a number of side effects. If you exhibit allergic reactions to Seroquel XR such as hives, swelling of tongue, swelling of lips, inflammation of throat, swelling of face, appearance of rashes, excessive itching and difficulty in breathing, you should seek emergency medical help right away and consult your doctor immediately.

The more serious side effects of using Seroquel XR include:

• Trouble in swallowing
• Speech problems
• High fever
• Confusion
• Excessive sweating
• Irregular heart rhythms
• Stiffness in the muscles
• Tremors
• Increase in urination and thirst
• Increased hunger
• Fruity odor in breath
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Excessive vomiting
• Blurry vision
• Pain in the eyes
• Peculiar movements of the muscles
• Appearance of white sores and patches on the lips and mouth
• Flu like symptoms

Less harmful side effects of using Seroquel XR are:

• Pain in the stomach
• Head ache
• Soreness in the throat
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue and exhaustion
• Mild nausea
• Mild vomiting
• Dryness in the mouth
• Gain in body weight
• Swelling of the breasts
• Upset stomach
• Increase in appetite
• Constipation

The above is not however an exhaustive list and other side effects may arise upon using Seroquel XR.

Possible Drug Interactions With Seroquel XR

Seroquel XR can prove to be harmful if used in tandem with certain other drugs. Make sure to inform your doctor about the following drugs if you are to take Seroquel XR:

• Medication for Parkinson’s Disease
  • carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet)
  • carbidopa CR/levodopa (Sinemet CR)
  • carbidopa/levodopa (Parcopa)
  • carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone (Stalevo)
  • rotigotine (Neupro Transdermal Patch)
  • pramipexole (Mirapex)
  • ropinirole (Requip)
  • trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
  • benztropine mesylate (Cogentin)
  • entacapone (Comtan)
  • tolcapone (Tasmar)
• HIV medications such as:
  • efavirenz (Sustiva)
  • efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir (Atripla)
  • tenofovir (Viread)
  • emtricitabine (Emtriva)
  • atazanavir (Reyataz)
  • ritonovir (Norvir)
  • darunavir (Prezista)
• antifungal medications such as:
  • fluconazole (Diflucan)
  • itraconazole (Sporanox)
  • ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• antibiotic medications such as:
  • erythromycin (Ery-Tab)
  • erythromycin (Erythrocin)
  • Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
  • isoniazid (Nydrazid)
  • telithromycin (Ketek)
• Medicine to treat depression and other mental disorders
  • lorazepam (Ativan)
  • sertraline (Zoloft)
  • escitalopram (Lexapro)
  • buproprion (Wellbutirn)
  • citalopram (Celexa)
  • fluoxetine (Prozac)
  • milnacipran (Savella)
  • mirtazapine (Remeron)
  • venlafaxine (Effexor)
  • venlafaxine XR (Effexor XR)
  • paroxetine (Paxil)
  • duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• Medicine for treating heart conditions and blood pressure
• Steroids
• Medicines for treating seizures
  • divalproex (Depakote, Depakote ER)
  • phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
  • thioridazine (Mellaril)

The above however is not an exclusive list and there are other drugs including minerals, vitamins and herbal products, which should not be used simultaneously and concurrently with Seroquel XR. Hence, it is extremely important that you inform your doctor about any and all medications that you happen to be using at the time of taking Seroquel XR.

If you have any questions about buying discount Seroquel XR online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.