Seroquel

What is SEROQUEL XR?

• SEROQUEL XR is a prescription medicine used to treat schizophrenia in adults.
• SEROQUEL XR is a prescription medicine used to treat bipolar disorder in adults, including:
• manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder alone or with lithium or divalproex.
• depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder.
• long-term treatment of bipolar I disorder with lithium or divalproex.
• SEROQUEL XR is a prescription medicine used to treat major depressive disorder as add-on treatment with antidepressant medicines when your doctor determines that one antidepressant alone is not enough to treat your depression.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking SEROQUEL XR?

• diabetes or high blood sugar in you or your family: your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start SEROQUEL XR and also during therapy.
• high levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides or LDL-cholesterol or low levels of HDL- cholesterol
• low or high blood pressure
• low white blood cell count
• cataracts
• seizures
• abnormal thyroid tests
• high prolactin levels
• heart problems
• liver problems
• any other medical condition
• pregnancy or plans to become pregnant. It is not known if SEROQUEL XR will harm your unborn baby.

What are possible side effects of SEROQUEL XR?

• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms: high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, changes in pulse, heart rate, and blood pressure. These may be symptoms of a rare and serious condition that can lead to death. Stop SEROQUEL XR and call your healthcare provider right away.
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia): Increases in blood sugar can happen in some people who take SEROQUEL XR. Extremely high blood sugar can lead to coma or death. If you have diabetes or risk factors for diabetes (such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes) your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start SEROQUEL XR and during therapy.
• Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms of high blood sugar while taking SEROQUEL XR:
• feel very thirsty
• need to urinate more than usual
• feel very hungry
• feel weak or tired
• feel sick to your stomach
• feel confused, or your breath smells fruity.
• High cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood (fat in the blood) Increases in total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol and decreases in HDL (good) cholesterol have been reported in clinical trials with SEROQUEL XR. You may not have any symptoms, so your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check your cholesterol and triglyceride levels before you start taking SEROQUEL XR and during therapy.
• Increase in weight (weight gain): Weight gain has been seen in patients who take SEROQUEL XR so you and your healthcare provider should check your weight regularly.
• Tardive dyskinesia: Tell your healthcare provider about any movements you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts. These may be signs of a serious condition. Tardive dyskinesia may not go away, even if you stop taking SEROQUEL XR. Tardive dyskinesia may also start after you stop taking SEROQUEL XR.
• Orthostatic hypotension (decreased blood pressure): lightheadedness or fainting caused by a sudden change in heart rate and blood pressure when rising too quickly from a sitting or lying position. Increases in blood pressure: reported in children and teenagers. Your healthcare provider should check blood pressure in children and adolescents before starting SEROQUEL XR and during therapy. SEROQUEL XR is not approved for patients under 18 years of age.
• Low white blood cell count
• Cataracts
• Seizures
• Abnormal thyroid tests: Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your thyroid hormone level.
• Increases in prolactin levels: Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your prolactin levels.
• Increases in liver enzymes: Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver enzyme levels.
• Long lasting and painful erection
• Difficulty swallowing

Common possible side effects with SEROQUEL XR include:

• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• constipation
• dizziness
• increased appetite
• upset stomach
• weight gain
• fatigue
• disturbance in speech and language
• stuffy nose

What should I avoid while taking SEROQUEL XR?

• Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how SEROQUEL XR affects you. SEROQUEL XR may make you drowsy.
• Avoid getting over-heated or dehydrated.
• Do not over-exercise.
• In hot weather, stay inside in a cool place if possible. Stay out of the sun. Do not wear too much or heavy clothing. Drink plenty of water.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking SEROQUEL XR. It may make some side effects of SEROQUEL XR worse.