Managing Seroquel Side Effects

My personal experience with Seroquel is actually quite extensive. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2001 and I was prescribed Seroquel that same year.
My psychiatrist prescribed Seroquel in part to help me sleep and Seroquel can also help with the psychotic aspects of bipolar disorder. My current dosage is 100mg at bedtime each night. I have personally experienced Seroquel side effects, like weight gain and drowsiness. However, for me the drowsiness is part of the object of taking Seroquel.

Basically, Seroquel (pronounced Ser-o-qwell) is an anti-psychotic drug. It's manufactured by AstraZeneca and is used to treat both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. According to the AstraZeneca website "the exact way that Seroquel works is not known, it is thought to work by regulating the balance of chemicals in the brain".

Some common Seroquel side effects that have been experienced by patients are: constipation, drowsiness, upset stomach or stomach pain, dry mouth and weight gain. The AstraZeneca website mentions a Seroquel side effect that has recently caught the attention of the public: diabetes. It has been suggested by Seroquel's manufacturer that patients taking Seroquel should ask their doctor about checking their blood sugar before they begin treatment and continue to have their blood sugar checked regularly during treatment. Symptoms of diabetes include, frequent urination, excessive thirst and increased fatigue.
It has also been noted that elderly patients suffering from dementia, have an increased risk of death when taking this type of medication.

Other Seroquel side effects to be aware of that are rare but serious are:

NMS or neuroleptic malignant syndrome, the symptoms of NMS include a very high fever, rigid muscles, sweating and changes in pulse.

TD or tardive dyskinesia, symptoms of TD are uncontrollable movements of the face, tongue or other parts of the body.

Personally, I deal with the side effects I experience from taking Seroquel by making adjustments in my routine. I give myself enough time to get plenty of sleep and sometimes that means going to bed a little early on some nights if I know I need to get up early the next morning. I have also made some changes to my diet to address the side effect of weight gain. I have added more fruits and vegetables to my diet and I have a regular exercise routine 4 days a week. I also have had blood work done to check my blood sugar levels, especially since I have a family history of diabetes. Other Seroquel users I asked have also found it helpful to get plenty of rest and to have some sort of regular physical activity. AstraZeneca also offers some tips on managing Seroquel side effects like, having a routine bedtime and wake-up time, avoiding alcohol consumption and drinking plenty of water if you experience dry mouth.

I have found it very helpful to have an open line of communication with your doctor and to work with each other to monitor and manage your side effects. It's also encouraging to realize that many Seroquel side effects can be mild and some side effects may go away in time.

Sources: http://www.seroquel.com/index.aspx
http://www.walgreens.com/library/finddrug/druginfo1.html?particulardrug=seroquel&id=14065
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-4718-seroquel+oral.aspx?drugid=4718&drugname=seroquel+oral