Quetiapine: Generic Formula in Treating Schizophrenia

For patients who suffer from mental health disorders, it is important to seek out not only the appropriate therapy in managing the mental health complication, but also treat the disorder with appropriate prescription medications. For patients suffering from schizophrenia, this is especially true, with the use of prescription medications often slowing the progression of this mental health disease.

The generic formula drug known as quetiapine is a prescription medication commonly used in the treatment of schizophrenia. As an unusual composition, antipsychotic prescription medication, quetiapine is believed to be similar, in composition, to clozopine, altering the chemicals within the brain. This therapeutic agent, therefore, is making great impact upon those who suffer from schizophrenia.

As a generic drug available in doses from 25 milligrams to 200 milligrams, quetiapine is successfully treating those who suffer from schizophrenia by allowing for modifications to dosing in an effort to suit the needs of each mental health patient. As a general rule, the psychiatrist will begin dosing of quetiapine in 25 milligram levels, twice per day, and the gradually increase this dosing level and frequency until optimal therapeutic benefit is achieved.

If you are a patient who suffers from schizophrenia, it is important to understand what side effects you may experience when using generic quetiapine. Most notably, patients with schizophrenia will report changes to the cardiovascular system, including increase in heart rate and blood pressure which often lead to dizziness and even episodes of fainting. In many cases, these complications are mistaken for hallucinations and delusions of schizophrenia but, all too often, they are real and relevant to the mental health complication and side effects of medication.

Because quetiapine is processed through the liver, schizophrenia patients who suffer from complications of liver disease should not use quetiapine in their mental health treatment plan. Routine mental health examinations, including cholesterol checks, thyroid examination and visual examination should also be performed as quetiapine may alter these levels with prolonged use.

As with any prescription drug use, the key to successful treatment will lie in the management of dosing and achieving optimal therapeutic levels. While there are many prescription drugs available to treat schizophrenia today, patients who suffer from this mental health complication may want to consider the use of quetiapine as a first line of defense in not only improving the most immediate symptoms but also providing, to some extent, a slowed progression of the disease. When discussion treatment options for schizophrenia with a psychiatrist, inquire about the use of quetiapine at your next mental health visit.