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Seroquel Side EffectsSeroquel is a prescription medication which combats the symptoms of schizophrenia, a mental disorder that is typically marked by delusions, hallucinations, disrupted thinking, and loss of contact with reality. Seroquel is from a 'new' class of antipsychotic medications and is believed to work by diminishing the action of dopamine and serotonin, two of the brain's chief chemical messengers.Common Seroquel Side Effects Side effects from the use of Seroquel cannot be anticipated, however if any develop or change in intensity the patient should inform their doctor immediately (especially if any of these side effects seem particularly troubling or persistent). Some common Seroquel side effects include - dry mouth, excessive muscle tone, headache, indigestion, abdominal pain, constipation, diminished movement, dizziness, drowsiness, low blood pressure, nasal inflammation, neck rigidity, rapid heartbeat, rash, tremor, uncontrollable movements, weakness. Other less common side effects include - palpitations, sore throat, sweating, swelling, back pain, cough, difficulty breathing, difficulty speaking, ear pain, fever, flu, loss of appetite, weight gain. It is quite possible for side effects other than those listed here to occur. Certain rare Seroquel side effects are also possible. Be sure to speak to your healthcare provider about these. Special Seroquel Precautions Seroquel may cause "tardive dyskinesia". This is a condition characterized by uncontrollable muscle spasms and twitches in the face and body. This problem can be permanent, and appears to be most common among older adults, especially women. If you develop 'confusion', muscle stiffness, irregular or rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, and high fever call your doctor immediately. These are signs of a serious (and potentially fatal) reaction to Seroquel. Be especially wary if you have a history of heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, circulation problems, or irregular heartbeat. Seroquel poses a very slight risk of seizures, especially if you the patient is over 65, or has epilepsy or Alzheimer's disease. Seroquel can also suppress an underactive thyroid, and generally causes a minor increase in cholesterol levels. There is also a remote chance that it will trigger a prolonged and painful erection. Particularly during the first few days of therapy, Seroquel could cause low blood pressure, along with dizziness, fainting, and rapid heartbeat. To minimize these effects, the doctor may need to increase dosage gradually. If you are prone to low blood pressure, take blood pressure medication, or become dehydrated, Seroquel should be used with caution. Also at the start of therapy, Seroquel may cause drowsiness, and can impair your judgment, thinking, and motor skills. Until you are certain of the Seroquel's effect, exercise extreme caution when operating machinery or driving a car. If you are having problems with your eyesight, let your doctor know immediately. It is possible that Seroquel could cause cataracts, and you may actually be asked to see an eye doctor when you start Seroquel therapy, and every six months thereafter. Some anti-psychotic medications have been known to interfere with the body's temperature-regulating mechanism, thus causing patients to overheat. While this problem has not occurred specifically with Seroquel, caution is still advisable and patients should avoid exposure to extreme heat, strenuous exercise, and dehydration. Seroquel increases the effects of alcohol. Alcoholic beverages should be avoided while on Seroquel therapy. If Seroquel is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Seroquel with any of the following drugs - Phenytoin (Dilantin), Rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rimactane), Steroid medications such as hydrocortisone and prednisone, Thioridazine (Mellaril), Barbiturates such as phenobarbital, Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Cimetidine (Tagamet), Erythromycin (Eryc, Ery-Tab), Fluconazole (Diflucan), Itraconazole (Sporanox), Ketoconazole (Nizoral), Levodopa (Laradopa, Sinemet), Lorazepam (Ativan). Warning: This information is intended to supplement, not be a substitute for the expertise and judgment of a doctor. Please consult a doctor for final and more detailed information about the possible side effects of this prescription medication. |
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