"Seroquel": reviews. "Seroquel": instructions for use, indications

Unfortunately, various psychotic disorders are quite common in the modern world. And, of course, people with these problems need correct and adequate treatment. Modern pharmacology offers a lot of drugs that can cope with such disorders or at least alleviate the condition of the patient. And a fairly good choice is the drug "Seroquel". Reviews of specialists and patients indicate that the medicine really helps. But what is included in its composition? Are there any contraindications to therapy? How much are the pills? This information will be of interest to many readers.

Composition and form of the drug

Quite often, the list of drugs that are prescribed for patients with certain mental disorders includes the drug Seroquel. This medicine is available in the form of small rounded tablets with a hard shell of white, pink or yellow (depending on the dosage).

The main active substance here is quetiapine in the form of fumarate. To date, tablets are available with a dosage of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg of this component. Naturally, other substances are used in the manufacturing process, in particular povidone, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, calcium hydrogenphosphate, magnesium stearate and sodium carboxymethyl starch.

The composition of the shell contains titanium dioxide, macrogol 400, hypromellose, and also dyes - red or yellow iron oxide.

In addition, there is also a drug "Seroquel Prolong", which provides a more prolonged effect. It is also available in the form of tablets, but biconvex and oblong in shape. There are tablets containing 50, 150, 200 and 400 mg of the main active substance (here this role is also played by quetiapine).

As auxiliary substances, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium citrate dihydrate, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate and hypromellose are present here. Tablets are placed in blisters of 10 pieces. In one package there are six such blisters.

Main pharmacological properties

This drug is a neuroleptic (antipsychotic) of a new generation. During the research, it was found that the main active component exhibits a high affinity with some serotonin receptors in the brain. The drug also affects histamine, as well as alpha-1 and alpha-2-adrenoreceptors.

The drug is well and relatively quickly absorbed by the walls of the digestive tract. The main components bind to blood proteins by about 83%. Quetiapine is metabolized in the liver tissues, where it is converted into several metabolites without any pharmacological activity. Most of the metabolites are excreted by the kidneys (about 73%), the smaller - along with the calves. Approximately 5% of ketiapine is excreted from the body at its original unchanged level.

Main indications for use

In fact, there are many situations when taking such a drug is simply necessary. For example, if you are interested in the question of how to treat schizophrenia, then it is worth knowing that it is these drugs that are part of the therapy.

In addition, the drug "Seroquel" is widely used to treat depressive conditions of moderate and severe degree (in combination with other drugs, of course). He is also prescribed to patients with acute and chronic psychoses of various origins.

The drug "Seroquel": instructions for use

Do not use this medication yourself. Only the doctor knows how to treat schizophrenia, psychoses and other disorders - self-medication here will only do much harm.

Immediately it is worth noting that the dose and duration of therapy is determined individually. Only a doctor can tell you how to properly take "Seroquel Prolong". The instruction contains only general recommendations.

Typically, the drug is administered, starting with small doses, gradually increasing the amount of the active ingredient. For example, in psychoses and schizophrenia on the first day, the patient receives 50 mg of quetiapine, the next 100 mg, and then 200, 300, etc. The maximum daily dose is 750 mg, although here everything depends on the drug's tolerance and the severity of its effect. The scheme of treatment of patients with depressive disorders looks approximately the same (the maximum daily dose is 600 mg). But with manic psychoses, treatment is started with 100 mg of the drug.

For elderly patients, the initial dose is 25 mg, every day it is increased by another 25-50 mg, depending on the reaction of the body. By the way, you only need to take the pill once a day.

Are there any contraindications to treatment?

Very interesting is the question of whether all the categories of patients can take the drug Seroquel. The doctors' comments confirm that the drug has not so many contraindications. To begin with it is necessary to tell, that tablets can not be accepted in the event that at you an allergy on any of components. In addition, the drug should never be drunk with cytochrome P450 inhibitors (these are some antibiotics, in particular erythromycin, as well as protease inhibitors and some antifungal drugs). The effectiveness and possible negative effects of tablets in the treatment of pregnant women and children are still at the stage of study.

Can I take medicine for pregnant women?

Many are interested in the question of whether it is possible to take "Seroquel" or "Seroquel Prolong" tablets during pregnancy? Instructions for use say that the effect of the drug on the fetus has not been studied. The medicine can be prescribed only if the expected benefit for a woman is higher than the level of possible risk for the organism of the developing child.

As for the lactation period, it is better to stop breastfeeding during therapy, since the extent of the release of the active ingredient and its metabolites with breast milk is also not known.

What are the risks associated with therapy? Possible side effects

Are there any side effects with which the reception of the "Seroquel" tablets is associated? The patients' testimonies indicate that complications are rare, and in a mild form. Nevertheless, it is necessary to familiarize oneself with their list in order to notice deterioration in time.

Quite often patients complain of drowsiness. Other disorders are possible from the side of the nervous system: dizziness, impaired consciousness, vegetative-vascular disorders, muscle rigidity. Very rarely therapy is accompanied by cramps.

Disturbances from the digestive system also sometimes occur. This is most often constipation or dyspepsia. Much less often there is an increase in the level of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood, as well as an increase in the activity of hepatic enzymes.

In the initial period, when the doctor only selects a dose, there may be such things as dizziness associated with lowering blood pressure, as well as tachycardia and fainting. As a rule, with a decrease in the daily dose, these symptoms disappear on their own.

Naturally, allergic reactions are possible, especially in the presence of hypersensitivity to certain chemicals. The allergy is accompanied by puffiness, hives, the appearance of skin itch and rash, less often - angioedema and anaphylactic shock.

Sometimes, peripheral edema appears on the background of therapy. Some patients report a sharp weight gain. The drug can affect the activity of the thyroid gland, reducing the level of production of its major hormones.

Overdose, its symptoms and treatment

Immediately it is worth mentioning that in medicine extremely rare cases of drug overdose are registered. Indeed, serious complications were observed only when the patient took more than 20 grams of quetiapine at a time.

Symptoms of overdose are an increase in the most common adverse reactions including a sharp drop in blood pressure, severe drowsiness, and tachycardia. The first help is reduced to washing the stomach and taking up sorbents, although this is effective only if the drug has not yet had time to digest by the walls of the digestive tract. In the future, symptomatic therapy is carried out, which is aimed at supporting the normal functioning of the respiratory, cardiovascular and excretory systems.

Effective analogues of the drug

For some reason, not all patients are suitable for this drug. There arises a completely natural question: is it possible to replace it with something? Of course, many antipsychotics have the same effect. Moreover, some even have the same active substance. For example, the Quentiax tablets have practically the same composition and properties.

There are other good analogs. Such drugs as Lakvel, Ketiap, Nantarid, Servitor, Cvetitex and many others are considered quite effective. By the way, some of them cost a little less.

But in any case it is necessary to understand that only the attending physician can change the list of medicines prescribed to you - select analogues or take any medications without the knowledge of a specialist categorically contraindicated.

How much is the medicine?

For many patients, the question of the price of a given medicine is extremely important. So how much is the packing of "Seroquel" tablets? The price, of course, depends on many factors, including the manufacturer, the financial policy of the pharmacy and the dosage.

For example, tablets containing 25 mg of active substance cost about 1600-1800 rubles. The drug with a dosage of 100 mg will cost more - its price ranges from 3000 to 3600 rubles. Tablets with a dose of 200 mg cost about 5500-6000 rubles.

Packaging of the drug "Seroquel Prolong" with a dose of 200 mg of the active ingredient will cost 7500-8000 rubles. But the tablets with the maximum dose (400 mg) cost about 15 thousand rubles. Of course, the prices are slightly high, however, sometimes such expenses are simply necessary.

Reviews about the drug

Today, many patients suffering from these or other disorders, doctors appoint exactly "Seroquel". The experts' reviews of this medicine are really good. It is a new generation drug that gently acts on the body without causing serious side effects. Even such common reactions as drowsiness and problems with concentration of attention, are manifested much less often.

What do the patients themselves say about the drug "Seroquel"? The patients' responses are also mostly laudatory. This drug in combination with some other drugs really helps to get rid of a lot of problems and improves well-being. Yes, in some people, tablets cause fatigue, drowsiness and weight changes. If during the therapy you feel any negative changes in your condition, then immediately consult a doctor - you may need some other medicine. The shortcomings of the drug can also be attributed to its rather high cost. On the other hand, the effect of therapy costs any money.