Seroquel: Instructions for the use of the drug XXI Century

In this article, we consider a unique new generation drug for the treatment of psychosis and schizophrenia - the drug "Seroquel". The instruction for its use confirms the important role that it can play in the coming years in modern psychiatry and pharmacology. The first ten years of application of quetiapine in clinical practice show that it not only has an unprecedentedly strong curative effect. The drug significantly reduces, up to complete elimination, the strongest side effects, characteristic for such drugs of the older generation.

Seroquel varies in a wide range of dosages. This gives the doctor the possibility of flexible individual dosing. At treatment in a hospital the picture of positive changes is observed at 60% of patients already in the fourth week.

Schizophrenia and psychosis are the most serious mental illnesses that can not be completely cured.

This group of diseases requires lifelong treatment. The drugs used in this practice are called typical neuroleptics (TN) or typical antipsychotics (TA). The main group of TA is haloperidol and chlorpromazine, which have been in the arsenal of psychiatry for many decades.

Seroquel, the instruction to which lies at the heart of this material, is called atypical antipsychotics (AA) or atypical antipsychotics (AN). Both groups of drugs - TA and AA - when properly used under the supervision of a doctor affect the reverse development of schizophrenia and psychosis, creating a temporary improvement in the state (remission). It is possible to reduce hallucinations (realistic images of reality that do not really exist), mitigation of manic symptoms (overexcitement with risky and rash acts), reduction or even termination of psychomotor agitation (motor anxiety, often dangerous for the patient and those around him).

The problem of TN is in the destructive power of their side effect. They cause a number of disorders that are painful for the mentally ill not less than the underlying disease. Among such disorders, at least four are life-threatening:

• Sharply and unpredictably falls or rises blood pressure;
• The body loses its ability to control the temperature, sudden overheating or hypothermia is possible;
• Bone marrow is oppressed, hematopoiesis is broken;
• Malignant neuroleptic syndrome (temperature over 40 degrees, muscles tighten, breathing quickens, sweating is separated, urinary incontinence occurs, there is a disturbance of consciousness reaching the coma and loss of communication with the outside world, motor and speech disorders are frequent. , Treatment is not developed).

In case if seroquel is taken, the instruction says that there are no data on these complications.

The most burdensome for the patient are the symptoms of extrapyramidal disorders, which include various forms of body trembling (tremor), inability to maintain balance, a drop in walking, involuntary ugly movements of the face and body (dystonia), disordered limb activity. Typical restlessness (akathisia). Practically incurable is tardive dyskinesia: involuntarily sticking out tongue, licking lips, sucking and chewing movements, curved, spontaneously opening mouth, grimacing, twitching of eyelids. Panic and fear cause the patient's spasms of the larynx and pharynx, during which speech is broken and swallowing is paralyzed.

Adverse events with TA are so hard to tolerate that patients tend to commit suicide, avoid taking medications, which contributes to relapse of the disease.

Seroquel has no side effects, which are typical for TA.

With regard to tardive dyskinesia, this statement is somewhat premature. To confirm or disprove it, at least 15 years must pass from the time the drug enters the clinical practice (this material is written on the verge of this period). However, cautious forecasts and the first conclusions give the chance to hope that seroquel does not cause late dyskinesia.

Like seroquel itself, its analogs are called upon to solve the problems of the 21st century: a combination of a stronger therapeutic effect than TA, and the absence of side effects characteristic of TA. The cost price of research and development and introduction of such drugs is very high. Therefore, the medications themselves are also not cheap. Consumers who decide to treat with seroquel may face financial problems, which will prevent them from acquiring it in sufficient quantity and on time. Patients are looking to sell cheaper analogs. In this connection, it is necessary to know the following.

• There are no analogs of seroquel, which would be recognized as its main producer - Astra Zeneca (England);
• All of the commercially available drugs that pharmacists in the field say are "analogous to seroquel" are not.

This means that patients who need to be treated by a genuine Seroquel from the main producer must have financial support from the state (as is the case in some countries - for example, in Israel and the US in relation to people with disabilities) or from private sources.

On the other hand, you can name three more atypical antipsychotics, which, according to the therapeutic effects, are approaching Seroquel, but have a lower price. These are Risperidone, (Risperdal), Ziprasidone (Zeldox), and Olanzapine (Ziprexa).

• Risperidone significantly loses seroquel in that it does not save the patient from extrapyramidal disorders, although the therapeutic effect even surpasses Seroquel.
• Ziprasidone can cause insomnia, impaired cardiac activity and akathisia (restlessness and inability to be at rest).
• Olanzapine contributes to a significant weight gain. According to preliminary data, it can lead to deterioration in diabetes mellitus.

None of the listed shortcomings seroquel does not.

So, in comparison with TA and some AA, seroquel leads, analogues of which, if they were, would also not create serious side effects. On the other hand, when using the very trade mark "Seroquel" side effects (less severe) still exist. These include:

• Drowsy condition;
• dizziness;
• Constipation (rarely);
• A feeling of dryness in the mouth;
• Darkening in the eyes and loss of balance with a sharp change in the pose from horizontal to vertical position;
• Change in analysis for liver enzymes (rarely).

The listed states leave themselves soon after the start of the reception of quetiapine. If this does not happen, then the cancellation of the drug will eliminate them. It is important to add: during the clinical trials, they were recorded very rarely.

Consider more official information about the drug "Seroquel". The instruction allows you to do this with the greatest accuracy.

Do not take this medicine if sensitivity is increased; With previous epileptic seizures. Strictly forbidden to take seroquel during pregnancy and during breastfeeding; At low blood pressure.

Seroquel is taken orally with water. Reception does not depend on food. The dose is divided into two stages: in the morning (after sleep) and at night (before bedtime).

We deliberately do not quote the dosage. As always, self-treatment is dangerous. Doses should be carefully selected with constant supervision by a psychiatrist.

Seroquel is stored for 3 years at a temperature not exceeding 30˚