Seroquel (Quetiapine). Instructions for use, price, host reviews, analogues

Seroquel is a drug from the group of neuroleptics, which is used for various neurological and mental disorders. Reviews of patients taking an effective drug for a long period can be negative or positive, depending on the characteristics of the patient’s body and the regimen of drug use.

Form of release and composition of the drug

The seroquelinfo.com is available to patients in tablet form for oral administration. The tablets can be of different sizes depending on the dosage of the active ingredient. They are round, pink, yellow or white. The former contain 25 mg of the active substance, the latter – 100 mg, the third – 200 mg.

The medicine is packaged in foil-coated plastic blisters of 10 pieces, placed in cardboard boxes of 3, 6 or 9 pieces. The tablets with tablets are accompanied by detailed instructions, which describe the features of the treatment and possible complications during therapy. The medication contains the substance quetiapine, which has a therapeutic effect.

Among the auxiliary ingredients are the following:

• Lactose as monohydrate.
• Microcrystalline cellulose.
• Starch.
• Magnesium stearate.
• Titanium dioxide.
• Iron oxide.

Additional substances have no medicinal properties. Depending on the dosage of the active ingredient, the size of the tablets differs.

Pharmacological properties

Seroquel (reviews of those taking the drug can be positive if there are no negative reactions during therapy) refers to antipsychotropic medications, and also has neuroleptic properties.

The tool improves the functioning of the brain, helps to normalize the transmission of nerve impulses to cells, which has a beneficial effect on the condition of patients. The medicine has a positive effect on the well-being of patients who suffer from chronic mental disorders.

The medication does not provoke an increase in the level of sex hormones in the blood. An additional property of the drug is the ability to block dopamine receptors. Against the background of the effect on the central nervous system, there is a significant improvement in the condition in the chronic course of the disease.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

After the tablet enters the digestive tract, the film shell dissolves rapidly and the components penetrate into the systemic circulation. The drug reduces the activity of some centers in the brain, which leads to the suppression of anxiety, unreasonable fears and some other manifestations.

The medicine helps to improve memory by stimulating the regeneration of brain cells, as well as improving microcirculation. Against the background of this process, the progression of pathologies stops, accompanied by memory impairment and a decrease in mental activity.

The medicine has other effects on the body:

• It stimulates the centers of the brain, which leads to the elimination of acute manifestations of mental illness, as well as disorders that provoke disorders of the muscular apparatus.
• Improves brain activity, which helps to stimulate the process of assimilation of information and memory.
• Does not violate the hormonal balance, which is observed with the use of other drugs. This allows the drug to be used for an extended period.
• Prevents the recurrence of seizures after a short period of time in patients who suffer from a chronic form of any mental disorder.

The drug is rather quickly and well absorbed in the body, its active components are absorbed into the blood through the walls of the small intestine, spread through the systemic circulation and have a therapeutic effect.

The maximum concentration of ingredients is reached within 1-2 hours after the use of a single effective dosage. The drug binds to plasma proteins, which provides high bioavailability. The processing of ingredients takes place in the liver, and the process is not influenced by food, so the medicine can be taken with or without food.

The excretion of ingredients is carried out with the help of the kidneys and intestines. The period of evacuation of substances takes about 1 day, sometimes it is extended depending on the condition of the patient’s kidneys.

In case of violation on the part of the paired organ, it is possible to slow down the elimination of decay products from the body. The drug almost does not accumulate in the body, but when it is used, the concentration of the active substance in the nerve tissues is noted, which increases the efficiency.

Indications for use

Seroquel is used for various diseases, if you study the reviews of patients taking the drug or previously using it.

The main indications for the appointment:

• Anxiety, frequent panic attacks against a background of neurological disorders.
• The appearance of signs of depression, apathy.
• Sleep disorders, nervous tension on the background of emotional exhaustion or overwork.
• Schizophrenia in the acute stage. In the absence of acute symptoms, the drug can also be used to prevent worsening of the condition.
• Manic-depressive syndrome.
• Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in elderly patients.
• Identifying signs of Parkinson’s disease. The drug in this case is used to prevent the progression of the disease, but as part of complex therapy.
• Chronic psychoses in the acute and subacute stages. The medicine helps to significantly improve the condition and weaken the manifestations.
• Bipolar disorders at various stages of development.
• Manic states in patients with a history of other mental disorders.

The drug can be included in the treatment of many mental and neurological disorders.

Contraindications

The medication is not used in case of acute intolerance to any ingredient of the composition or the presence of similar manifestations in the history.

Other barriers to treatment include:

• Lactase deficiency and lactose intolerance is considered an absolute contraindication for use.
• Brain pathologies accompanied by impaired cerebral circulation. With ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, the agent can provoke complications.
• Severe pneumonia, accompanied by a general disorder of the condition. The medication can be prescribed during the recovery period.
• Internal bleeding associated with damage to the mucous membrane of the digestive tract.
• Acute cardiovascular diseases, cardiogenic shock.
• Chronic hypotension. The drug is prescribed only in some cases to patients who have a tendency to lower blood pressure indicators.
• Severe hepatic or renal failure, in which the process of processing and removing ingredients from the body is disrupted, which can provoke their accumulation and the development of complications.
• A patient’s history of diseases accompanied by seizures. Sometimes the drug can be used for such violations, but with extreme caution. For example, for epilepsy, medication is prescribed only under the supervision of a physician.

The medication is used with caution in the treatment of elderly patients, despite the fact that it is prescribed for age-related dementia and some other disorders. During pregnancy, pills are prescribed only when the risk to the baby is lower than the potential benefit to the mother. If treatment is necessary during lactation, feeding should be stopped for the entire course.

At what age can the drug be used?

Seroquel (reviews of those taking the drug in most cases are based on real experience of use) are not prescribed to patients under 18 years of age. This is due to the aggressive effect of the drug on the patient’s body and an increased risk of complications.

Instructions for use, dosage

The tablets are taken orally in a dosage prescribed by a specialist. It may differ for different violations.

For anxiety, anxiety disorder, obsessive thoughts

With a mild form of such violations, the agent is taken in the minimum effective dosage, that is, 25 mg per day. At the same time, the dosage does not increase for 4 days. In the absence of a therapeutic effect, the dosage on the 5th day is increased to 50 mg, the patient’s condition is monitored.

If a pronounced therapeutic effect is achieved, the dose is not increased more. The application continues for 2-3 weeks, depending on the severity of the manifestations. After improvement of the condition, the drug is canceled. Reception is allowed in the morning or evening. The patient should take into account the time of day when the symptoms worsen, take the medication 1-2 hours before the expected deterioration.

With neurosis, depression

Diagnosis of neurosis, depressive state requires the use of several medications. The drug has neuroleptic properties, therefore it can be used to improve the condition and prevent the progression of the disease.

The minimum effective dosage for patients is 50 mg. Within 7 days, the medicine is taken in this dose. If there is no effect, it is increased to 100-150 mg per day. The treatment of such disorders continues for 3 weeks, after which the specialist evaluates the effect and, if necessary, prolongs the course. It is not recommended to adjust the dosage on your own.

With dementia

Such a violation usually develops in elderly patients, which is associated with a deterioration in the conduction of a nerve impulse to tissues. As a result, mental activity, memory and concentration of attention deteriorate. For patients with such disorders, the drug is prescribed for long courses of 3-6 weeks with a change in dosage depending on the severity of manifestations.

The initial dose is 50 mg per day, after 4 days it is increased to 100 mg. Gradually, the dosage per day reaches 200 mg. Within 7-10 days, the dose is increased, after which it can be slightly reduced if the patient has a significant improvement and the pathology does not progress.

It is impossible to completely eliminate the manifestations of the disease, but many note a significant improvement during the treatment period and after its completion. Correction of the therapeutic course and dose is carried out by a specialist.

For insomnia

Sleep disorders are treated within 2-3 weeks, depending on the degree of neglect. In this case, the reception begins with a minimum effective dosage of 50 mg. If there is no therapeutic effect for 2-3 days, the dose is increased to 100 mg per day.

Take the remedy 1 hour before bedtime with plenty of liquid. Additionally, it is recommended to take other drugs as prescribed by a doctor, which will help not only normalize sleep, but also eliminate other symptoms.

For bipolar disorder

With such a violation, the daily dosage of the drug is 150-200 mg, depending on the severity of the manifestations. Patients take the medication for 2 weeks, after which the doctor determines the appropriateness of further use and evaluates the effectiveness.

If necessary, the dosage can be doubled if the therapeutic effect is weak. Patients during the treatment period can use the prescribed daily rate at a time or divide it into 2-3 doses during the day at regular intervals. During the period of therapy, the patient should regularly visit a doctor who monitors the condition and, if necessary, changes the dosage.

With Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is treated with several medications from different groups, but quetiapine can be used as part of complex therapy in order to improve the condition and prevent the progression of neurological disorders.

The starting dose for these patients is 100 mg. It is not changed for 4-5 days. After that, the doctor evaluates the effectiveness of therapy and increases the dose to 200 mg. Within 2-4 weeks, the patient should take the prescribed dosage, which the specialist can adjust to a lower side, if the effect of therapy is significantly pronounced.

In each case, the duration of the full therapeutic course is determined depending on the patient’s condition.

With Alzheimer’s disease

Seroquel (reviews of those taking the drug help patients determine the effectiveness before starting therapy) with Alzheimer’s disease somewhat improves the condition and prevents the rapid progression of symptoms. Take tablets in the morning at 25-100 mg per day, depending on the severity of manifestations.

Treatment lasts from 2 to 8 weeks, in each case the duration of therapy is determined individually. Sometimes the doctor can reduce the dosage if the patient develops unexpressed complications. If the condition returns to normal, treatment may not be stopped.

Overdose

Seroquel (reviews of those taking the drug can be negative, which in most cases is associated with a violation of the instructions or intolerance to the components of the composition) can provoke an overdose when using a large number of tablets at a time.

Overdose is accompanied by severe drowsiness and a critical decrease in blood pressure indicators. Patients note the development of tachycardia, convulsive seizures are possible.

The pronounced sedative effect of the drug leads to a deterioration in memory and concentration, and can be life-threatening for the patient. If signs of an overdose appear, you must immediately stop using the product and visit a doctor.

In a hospital setting, the patient’s stomach is washed, and drugs are prescribed depending on the severity of the symptoms. The remedy does not have a specific antidote, therefore, the scheme of assistance may differ in each case.

Special instructions

It is categorically contraindicated to use the product without a preliminary examination by a doctor. The patient cannot independently adjust the duration of the course and the dosage of the active component.

Patients who, due to their professional activities, drive vehicles or perform manipulations that require increased concentration of attention, should refuse such actions during treatment.

This is due to the sedative effect of the drug. Despite the description of standard therapeutic regimens in the instructions, the dose is selected individually for each patient. Application features also differ.