Posted by PM80 on June 2, 2005, at 11:42:17
In reply to Seroquel for anxiety (success stories only please), posted by chess on June 2, 2005, at 11:20:38
I take it once a day at bedtime. Although I primarily use it for hypomanic symtpoms, I also used to get panic attacks which have completely disappeared since I started taking seroquel. It is commonly prescribed off-label for anxiety. People tend to love it or hate. Drowsiness/sleepiness typically occurs when someone starts taking it, but usually fades with time. Also, optimum dosing varies a lot from person to person - anywhere from 25-800mg/day. If you find you continue to be drowsy past the first few weeks, you may need to take it at a different time of day or take a smaller dose. You'll know pretty quickly if you experience any other negative side effects such as dry mouth, or an excessive drugged feeling, or apathy - these are generally why people who don't like it don't like it. Again, some of those effects may be due to a dose that is too high.
It is generally safe to take. It is processed primarily by the liver. Alcohol will tend to make you sleepier than usual if you drink while taking this, but it won't hurt you. There is a very slight risk of developing TKD syndrom if you take this for a long time, but the risk is much lower than for the older typical antipsychotics. And if you catch it early on, this can usually be reversed. In my opinion (I'm not a doctor), the risk is really not significant enough to worry about if the med helps.
poster:PM80
thread:506882
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050601/msgs/506888.html