Medications and Drugs

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GENERIC NAME: QUETIAPINE - ORAL (kweh-TIE-ah-peen)

BRAND NAME(S): Seroquel

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: This medication is used for the treatment of certain mental conditions (e.g., schizophrenia, the manic stage of bipolar disorder).

HOW TO USE: This drug is taken by mouth, generally twice or three times daily. Dosage is based on age, mental condition and other diseases, and is slowly increased as tolerated. It may take several weeks to notice the full benefit of this drug. Continue to take it everyday as directed, even if you are feeling better and thinking more clearly. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with this medication unless our doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit juice can increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

SIDE EFFECTS: Constipation, drowsiness, dizziness, stomach pain or upset, weight gain or dry mouth may occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor. To relieve dry mouth and protect teeth and gums, you may suck on sugarless candy or use a saliva substitute or ice chips. Report promptly: fainting, unusually fast or irregular heartbeat. Unlikely but report promptly: skin rash, itching, trouble breathing. Very unlikely but report promptly: fever, persistent sore throat, muscle stiffness, confusion, sweating, uncontrolled muscle movements (e.g., tongue or facial muscles), one-sided muscle weakness, cold sensitivity, trouble urinating, black stools, unusual moods. This drug may infrequently make your blood sugar level rise, therefore causing or worsening diabetes. This high blood sugar can rarely cause serious (sometimes fatal) conditions such as diabetic coma. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of high blood sugar, such as unusual increased thirst and urination, or vision changes. If you already have diabetes, be sure to check your blood sugar level regularly. This drug may also cause significant weight gain and a rise in your blood cholesterol (or triglyceride) levels. These effects, along with diabetes, may increase your risk for developing heart disease. Discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor. (See also Notes section.) If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.