Mental disorders are diagnosed today quite often. The reasons for their development in the modern world are countless. However, there are a lot of drugs whose task is to combat such pathologies. For example, one of them is Quetiapine. Instructions for use of this tool are very important for familiarization, since this is not a simple cure for a cold.
general characteristics
So, this drug is an antipsychotic and an atypical antipsychotic drug used in psychiatry. It is used to organize the treatment of pathologies such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder and others.
The drug is very simple. "Quetiapine" (instructions for the use of this medication must be included) has the property of changing the activity of certain substances in the brain. Such a tool is produced in Russia. However, this does not mean that its cost is too low. It all depends on the dosage of the drug purchased.
What components are part of the drug, what form of release exists?
So, if you have been prescribed “Quetiapine”, the instructions for use describe its composition as follows: quetiapine fumarate (the main active ingredient) 25-300 mg. Additional components are also present: hyprolose, calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, starch, primogel. The film coating of each tablet consists of talc, glycerol, hypromellose, and silver dye.
The tablets are round, convex on both sides. They have a blue color with a pearly sheen. In addition, they have a different dosage. Tablets are packed in a blister pack of 30 or 60 pieces and are in a cardboard box.
Pharmacological action of the drug
Have you been assigned Quetiapine? The instruction tells about such pharmacodynamics: the main component is able to fight with a large number of receptors, especially with serotonin. In addition, he applies an antagonistic effect to histamine and dopamine receptors, although to a lesser extent. That is, the effect of the drug is based on the blocking of certain receptors in the brain cells, inhibition of metabolism in them.
Absorbability is optimal. At the same time, eating on the bioavailability of the drug has virtually no effect. The substance accumulates in the liver, where it is neutralized. Excretion to a greater extent is carried out through the kidneys (78%) and together with feces (20%). The half-life of the body is approximately 7 hours. It should also be borne in mind that cleansing the body of the drug largely depends on the age of the patient and the functionality of his liver.
What indications for use exist?
For some mental disorders, doctors prescribe Quetiapine. The instruction provides for such indications for use:
1. Schizophrenia.
2. Acute or chronic psychoses.
3. Bipolar disorder, its manic phase of moderate or severe degree (although tablets cannot prevent this condition).
4. Depressed state.
5. Serious behavior disorders.
6. Dementia in the elderly.
7. Organic brain syndromes.
Anyway, you should consult a doctor before taking it. Moreover, the product can be purchased only by prescription.
Contraindications
When prescribing the drug "Quetiapine", instructions for use, reviews and a description of the drug will help you understand its effect. It is important to familiarize yourself with the prohibitions and restrictions under which the medicine is not recommended. There are such contraindications:
- Too high sensitivity to the drug.
- Age (up to 18 years).
- The period of bearing a child and breastfeeding.
- The simultaneous use of certain drugs: antifungal agents, Erythromycin.
- Oncological diseases of the mammary glands and the brain.
- Cataract.
- Dehydration.
- Severe systemic disorders in the body.
With caution, medication should be prescribed if the patient has heart failure, arterial hypotension, cardiac hypotrophy, liver failure, there are seizures and history of epilepsy. In addition, elderly people and those at risk of developing thromboembolism should be especially careful during admission.
Possible adverse reactions
Now you should deal with those negative reactions that may appear as a result of using the drug “Quetiapine”. Instructions for use (tablets should not be started and stopped drinking unauthorized) provides for the following possible adverse reactions:
- Pain and dizziness, anxiety, emotional emptiness, drowsiness or lack of sleep, increased excitability and hostility, tremor, convulsions. In addition, weakening of the functions of the autonomic nervous system can still be observed.
- Tachycardia, heart failure, orthostatic hypotension, chest pain.
- Nausea, dry mouth, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain.
- Allergic rhinitis, skin rashes, pharyngitis.
- A decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood, a decrease in the concentration of thyroxine.
- Lumbar pain, vision problems, weight gain, dry skin.
- Ear pain, muscle weakness.
- Infectious lesion of the urinary canal.
As you can see, this medicine can give a lot of side reactions, but if its effectiveness is higher than the likelihood of side effects, then the doctor has the right to prescribe a remedy.
Dosage and special instructions for administration
So, if you still had to purchase Quetiapine, the instructions for use (the manufacturer of the drug is located in Russia) indicates such dosage features:
- In acute or chronic psychoses, as well as schizophrenia, tablets are taken according to this scheme: the first day - 50 mg, the second - 100 mg, the third - 200 mg, the fourth - 300 mg. Further, the daily norm can range from 300 to 450 mg, depending on the severity of the pathology and the frequency of seizures.
- If the patient suffers from manic disorders against a background of bipolar disease, then such a dosage of the drug is provided: the first day - 100 mg, the second - 200 mg, the third - 300 mg, the fourth - 400 mg. By the 6th day of therapy, the doctor can increase the dose to 800 mg per day. The daily increase in the amount of the substance should not exceed 200 mg.
The standard daily rate of the drug for patients ranges from 400-800 mg. Particular care must be taken with elderly patients and people suffering from kidney or liver failure. Their initial dose is 25 mg per day. The daily increase in the norm is 25-50 mg. In this case, you should constantly monitor how the patient's body responds to treatment and increase the dose.
There are certain features of the reception. For example, drinking pills is better at the same time. Most often this is done in the evening before eating. The duration of therapy depends on its effectiveness, on the general condition of the patient and the presence of undesirable consequences. Do not share or chew the tablet. You need to swallow it whole.
If you have not taken Quetiapine for more than a week, the instructions for use (the effect of the drug is effective only with its constant use) recommends contacting a doctor. You may need to start again with a lower dose. You can not arbitrarily stop taking this medication.
If there is an overdose, which may indicate drowsiness, decreased pressure, irregular heart rhythm, then you need to immediately flush the stomach of the patient. After that, to prevent intoxication of the body, you need to give him a few tablets of activated carbon.
If the patient is unconscious after an overdose, be sure to call an ambulance. Specialists, in turn, must perform intubation of the trachea, the introduction of laxatives and symptomatic treatment.
Note that during the use of the drug, orthostatic hypotension may develop. In this case, the dose of tablets must be significantly limited. During therapy, it is necessary to abandon the use of alcohol.
Long-term treatment with high doses of the drug is possible only if, before starting taking the tablets, an assessment of the expected positive result, as well as the degree of potential risk, was carried out.
Interaction with other medications
This issue is very important, since the treatment of psychosis and schizophrenia is complex. Particular attention should be paid to the interaction of Quetiapine with other drugs that affect the central nervous system. They can have an additional sedative effect. Do not drink the presented tablets with grapefruit juice.
Some drugs may reduce the effectiveness of Quetiapine, for example, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin. A substance such as thioridazine can increase the degree of purification of the body from the specified medication up to 70%.
Features of storage facilities
If you are assigned "Quetiapine", the instructions for use (see analogues below) provides for such a shelf life of the product: 2 years. It must be stored in a place protected from light. It is advisable that children cannot reach the drug. The temperature at which the product can maintain its properties is 25 degrees.
Do not put the package with the drug near heat sources. After the expiration date, the product is strictly prohibited.
What analogues can I use?
It should be noted that the cost of the medicine presented ranges from 250 to 2900 rubles per package. It all depends on the dosage of the drug. However, some patients try to look for a cheaper drug. If Kvetiapin is prescribed for you, the instructions for use (synonyms for this drug may be of lesser cost) suggests considering the following options:
- Nantharide.
- "Victoel."
- Quentiax.
- "Gedonin."
- Ketilept.
- "Kutipin."
- The Seroquel.
- Quetitex.
- "Ketiap".
- "Server".
- Lackwell.
These analogues are characterized by the presence of one and the same main active substance. Moreover, their cost may be different. From this list you can choose exactly what you need. However, regarding analogues, it is imperative to consult a doctor.
Drug Reviews
If you need to purchase Quetiapine, the instructions for use (reviews will help you figure out the effect of the drug) is the main document that you must read before using the substance.
Patients say different things about this medicine. They note the effectiveness of the drug. However, there are side effects too. For example, patients note muscle weakness, blurred consciousness, nausea.
As you can see, “Quetiapine” (instructions, patient reviews you already know) is a serious drug that is not sold without a prescription in a pharmacy. Also note that when using the product you need to be very careful. Be healthy!