What is Generic Seroquel (Quentiapine)?
Generic Seroquel (Quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia, and for the treatment of acute manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Illnesses that affect the brain, such as schizophrenia, may be due to certain chemicals in the brain being out of balance. Generic Seroquel (Quetiapine) works by targeting the specific areas of the brain that are affected by the illness and helps to regulate the actions of the neurotransmitters – dopamine and serotonin – that play an important role in brain functioning.
What is Generic Seroquel (Quentiapine) used for?
Generic Seroquel (Quetiapine)- is classed as an atypical antipsychotic medication. It is used to treat psychotic symptoms of such illnesses as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, including hallucinations, delusions, catatonia and paranoia. It is also approved for use in treating acute manic episodes of bipolar disorder with or without psychotic features.
Generic Seroquel (Quentiapine) Facts
Active ingredient: Quetiapine
Other Ingredients: povidone, dibasic dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol and titanium dioxide.
Class and mechanism: Although the mechanism of action of quetiapine is unknown, like other anti-psychotics, it inhibits communication between nerves of the brain. It does this by blocking receptors on the nerves for several neurotransmitters, the chemicals that nerves use to
communicate with each other. It is thought that its beneficial effect is due to blocking of the dopamine type 2 (D2) and serotonin type 2 (5-HT2) receptors.
Generic Generic Seroquel (Quentiapine) Storage
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
How to take Generic Seroquel (Quentiapine)?
Generic Seroquel (Quetiapine) is available in strengths of 25 mg , 50 mg , 100 mg, and 200 mg tablets. In clinical trials, it was effective in a dose range of 150 mg/day to 750 mg/day.
Generic Seroquel (Quetiapine) usually starts working in about one and a half hours. The medication may take longer to exhibit beneficial effects in some people due to symptoms and other factors.
Generic Seroquel (Quetiapine) usually is taken two or three times daily. The dose usually is increased slowly over several days or weeks to achieve the desired effect. Generic Seroquel (Quetiapine) can be taken with or without food.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
In case of OVERDOSE, call your local poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: drowsiness, dizziness, fainting, fast heartbeat
Who should not take Generic Seroquel (Quentiapine)?
Generic Seroquel (Quetiapine) is contraindicated in individuals with a known hypersensitivity to this medication or any of its ingredients.
What side effects may occur?
Reported side effects are similar to those seen with other antipsychotics. These include sleepiness; hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure); digestive problems (constipation, dry mouth, indigestion); and dizziness. Such effects are usually seen when the medication is first taken. They are mild and generally improve without specific treatment. Generic Seroquel (Quetiapine) should be used with particular caution in patients with known cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, or conditions associated with hypotension.
Generic Seroquel (Quetiapine) frequently causes tiredness (1 in 5 patients), especially during the first 3-5 days of treatment. Because of this tiredness, care should be exercised in any activity requiring mental alertness such as operating a motor vehicle or hazardous machinery. Less common side effects include seizures (1 in 125 patients) and hypothyroidism (1 in 250 patients).
Drug Interactions
The risks of using Generic Seroquel (Quetiapine) in combination with other drugs have not been extensively evaluated in systematic studies. Given the primary CNS effects of Generic Seroquel (Quetiapine), caution should be used when it is taken in combination with other centrally acting drugs. Generic Seroquel (Quetiapine) potentiated the cognitive and motor effects of alcohol in a clinical trial in subjects with selected psychotic disorders, and alcoholic beverages should be avoided while taking Generic Seroquel (Quetiapine). Phenytoin (Dilantin) and thioridazine (Mellaril) markedly decrease the amount of quetiapine that is absorbed from the intestine and thereby reduces its effectiveness. Therefore, patients taking phenytoin or thioridazine may require higher doses of Generic Seroquel (Quetiapine).
Generic Seroquel (Quetiapine) can cause hypotension (low blood pressure) and therefore increase the blood pressure lowering effects of antihypertensive drugs.
Additional Information
Remember, always follow your physician's recommendations on how to take your medication. Also, if you are taking any herbal remedies, vitamins, and/or over-the-counter medications, be sure to tell your physician.
The treatment period lasted 8 weeks, with dose titration on Days 1 through 5.
