Seroquel is the brand name of the medication quetiapine fumarate, which treats mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Although this medication is typically prescribed for long-term treatment, sometimes a doctor may recommend stopping or switching from the medication. However, stopping Seroquel too abruptly causes bothersome withdrawal effects for some people. Anyone wishing to stop Seroquel should talk to a doctor about the appropriate way of doing so before stopping the medication to prevent these withdrawal effects.
Step 1
Obtain a doctor's approval. Since this medication is so effective, some people feel "cured" from their mental illness and think they no longer need the medication. However, abruptly stopping the medication not only can cause withdrawal effects, but more seriously, it can cause the symptoms of the mental illness to return. Therefore, it is crucial that people wishing to discontinue Seroquel get approval from a doctor to make sure it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Step 2
Work with the doctor to create a plan for weaning off the medication. The doctor will be able to recommend a specific course of action for stopping Seroquel, based upon the patient's medical history and background. Although severe withdrawal effects are rare, it is still a good idea to discuss the potential withdrawal effects with the doctor. These may include nausea and vomiting or insomnia, according to the medication website RxList.com. It is also important to ask the doctor what to do if symptoms of mental illness return during the weaning process.
Step 3
Follow the weaning plan. Do not attempt to expedite the process by lowering the dosage more than recommended or stopping the medication entirely. Instead, stick to the plan and follow the doctor's instructions to the letter.
Step 4
Report the withdrawal effects or the return of serious mental illness symptoms to a doctor. Continuous communication with a doctor throughout the weaning process is crucial. Although it is important to report withdrawal effects, it is more important to watch for returning symptoms of the mental illness. This may include feelings of mania or depression for those suffering from bipolar disorder, and hallucinations or delusions for those suffering from schizophrenia. If this occurs, the doctor may decide to return to the original dosage, start a new medication or continue the weaning process at a more gradual rate.
Tips and Warnings
- Those suffering from mental illness may not be aware of their mental state or realize when the symptoms of their illness are present. Therefore, it is important to notify family members and friends when discontinuing Seroquel so they can monitor the person for symptoms and get treatment for the person if necessary. Make sure family and friends realize that the return of the symptoms of the mental illness may not occur until weeks or even months after stopping Seroquel.
- Many people, particularly those diagnosed with schizophrenia, will require another medication to manage their mental illness after discontinuing Seroquel.
