Seroquel, quetiapine fumarate, is an anti-psychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and as an add-on treatment for depression in adults. Seroquel is used in children over age 10 with bipolar disorder and children over age 13 with schizophrenia. Seroquel XR, the extended-release form, is prescribed only for adults. As with all drugs, seroquel has a number of side effects, one of the most common being a decrease in HDL, or good, cholesterol.
What to Tell Your Doctor Before Taking Seroquel
According to Drugs.com, you should make sure your doctor knows if you've ever had a heart attack or stroke, a low white blood cell count or if you or a family member has diabetes or is obese. Also, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, a thyroid disorder, seizures or epilepsy, cataracts, high cholesterol or triglycerides, or trouble swallowing.
Seroquel Can Interact with Many Other Drugs
Tell your doctor about all drugs and herbal supplements you're taking. Diuretics, high blood pressure drugs, anticholinergics, heart and thyroid medications, antibiotics and anti-fungal drugs, anti-seizure medications, other anti-psychotic and anti-anxiety drugs, antihistamines, muscle relaxants and narcotics interfere with Seroquel's action. Avoid alcohol. Naturalnews.com advises avoiding calamus, calendula, chamomile, California poppy, catnip, couch grass, elecampane, ginseng, goldenseal, gotu kola, hops, Jamaican dogwood, kava, lemon balm, sage, St. John's wort, sassafras, skullcap, shepherd's purse, stinging nettle, valerian, withania root and yerba mansa.
Possible Adverse Reactions When Taking Seroquel
Seroquel is a powerful drug that works by changing the way brain chemicals act. Drugs.com says to contact your doctor immediately if you experience "rigid muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, uncontrolled muscle movements, light-headedness, blurred vision, eye pain, increased thirst and urination, excessive hunger, fruity breath odor, weakness, nausea and vomiting," have "mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping" or if you feel hostile, aggressive, hyperactive, more depressed or suicidal.
Visit Your Doctor Regularly Once You Start Taking Seroquel
Seroquel is an effective medication, but because of its potentially serious side effects, you'll need to visit your doctor regularly for blood and vision tests and blood pressure measurement. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or if you develop signs of diabetes, such as increased thirst, frequent urination, frequent hunger or a feeling of weakness.
Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level Increases
Your doctor will measure your cholesterol and triglyceride levels before and regularly after you begin taking Seroquel XR. Seroquel has been shown to increase total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while simultaneously decreasing HDL cholesterol levels in both adults and children. If your cholesterol and triglyceride numbers increase significantly, you'll need to work closely with your doctor to manage these lipid levels.
