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1Withdrawal Symptoms and Effects of Seroquel

Seroquel contains a key agent named as quetiapine fumarate and it is prescribed for treating psychotic illnesses like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Like every psychiatric drug, stopping Seroquel without consulting a doctor should be avoided. Though there is a minimal possibility of Seroquel abuse, it’s advised that you adhere to your doctor’s recommendations by slowly decreasing the dose before complete stoppage.

Seroquel withdrawal symptoms may be experienced if you quit using it all of a sudden or decrease the dose quantity without consulting the health-care-provider. This happens as the brain starts adapting to the abrupt absence or reduced quantity of the drug.

For example, your psychiatrist recommends using Seroquel to cure the signs of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. You commence taking the medicine and after using it for some time, you start feeling good. You think that you don’t require the drug anymore and you quit using it. Suddenly you feel nauseated and depressed or experience bothersome thoughts. You find it hard to think clearly. The chances are, you’re having withdrawal signs of Seroquel.

Once you start taking anti-psychotic drugs, their contents react with chemicals in the brain, which are called as neurotransmitters. This is the reason why doctors normally cut the person off the medicine slowly.

Following are the most common withdrawal symptoms of Seroquel.

• Nausea and Vomiting

Seroquel tablets affect the levels of serotonin in the brain, which manages stomach and intestinal reflexes. The consequent irregularity in the reflexes triggers irritation in the lining of stomach, which results in vomiting and nausea.

• Schizophrenia Symptoms like Hallucinations or Delusions

If the patient quits using Seroquel all of a sudden, signs of schizophrenia such as hallucinations may be experienced. Hallucination is a condition where a person hears, sees or feels things that he/she feels are real, however they are not. Chemical imbalance sparked off in the brain as a result of sudden stoppage of the medicine causes these symptoms.

• Insomnia

If you stop taking Seroquel abruptly, it causes insomnia, lack of sufficient sleep. Some people find it troublesome to fall asleep whereas others wake early or find it difficult to remain asleep for long periods. Though this occurs because the body tries to acclimatize to the absence of Seroquel, it may also be a sign of an ailment such as bipolar disorder.

• Bipolar Disorder Symptoms such as Mania or Depression

After stopping Seroquel suddenly, the signs of bipolar disorder like mania or depression occur. This is a result of imbalance in serotonin levels.

Seroquel withdrawal effects can be those discussed above but are not limited to them. You ought to speak at length with your health care provider to know all probable Seroquel withdrawal symptoms and effects.

How to Prevent Withdrawal Symptoms of Seroquel

Your psychiatrist will advice gradual dose reduction, though it may not be necessary in all scenarios. Although you are required to start taking other medicine, the doctor will still suggest reducing the dose slowly. For your safety, you are advised not to stop using the medication before consulting your doctor. Also, you should let your doctor know in case you notice any troublesome symptoms after you start reducing the dose slowly.

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