Side Effects of Seroquel
All medicines are reported to have side effects. Mostly, the common side effects are not serious and do not require medical attention but sometimes patients may experience severe side effects that require immediate medical consultation. Some of the common side effects associated with Seroquel that usually subsides on regular usage include:
- Weight gain
- Dry mouth
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Feeling sleepy
- Constipation
- Indigestion
- Weakness
- Blurred vision
- Swelling of hand, feet or ankle
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
Some of the severe side effects associated with Seroquel that require immediate medical intervention include:
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Difficulty in speaking
- Rapid heartbeat
- High sugar level symptoms like increase in thirst, frequent urination, increase in appetite, weakness, tired feeling etc.
- Difficulty in swallowing
Drug Interactions
Patients prescribed with Seroquel must inform their doctor about all prescription and non-prescription medication taken by them. This is advised because Seroquel is known to interfere with certain medications. Some of the medications that are known to interact with Seroquel include:
- Lorazepam
- Epilepsy medicine like Phenytoin or Carbamazepine
- High blood pressure medicines
- Antibiotics like rifampicin and erythromycin
- Fungal infection medicine like Ketoconazole
- HIV medicines
- Antipsychotic medicine like Thioridazine
- Parkinson's disease medication
- Inflammation medicine like Glucocorticoids
- Stimulants like Amphetamines
These medicines must be avoided because Seroquel may interact with these drugs and affect the therapeutic outcomes for these drugs or the therapeutic outcome of Seroquel may be affected.
Warnings Use of Seroquel
Seroquel may not be appropriate for every schizophrenia or bipolar disorder patient. It is important to know the contraindications and warnings to Seroquel when considering if Seroquel is appropriate for a particular patient. Some of the warnings associated with the drug include:
- Patients are advised to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while using this drug because Seroquel is known to cause sleepiness and drowsiness.
- Alcohol should be avoided while taking this drug, as it can worsen the dizziness feeling.
- Occasionally this medication may cause drop in the blood pressure.
- Diabetic patient or individual suffering from major heart problems, high or low blood pressure, seizures or strokes need to consult doctor before administering this drug.
- Pregnant women should avoid using Seroquel.
- Lactating mothers should not take Seroquel, as it can pass into breast milk and may affect baby’s health.
- Patients allergic to Quetiapine or to any other ingredients of Seroquel should avoid using this drug as it may cause adverse effects on health.
