About Seroquel
Seroquel is a type of antipsychotic medication mainly used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A powerful drug, it often causes a series of side effects ranging from heavy fatigue to mental "fog." Like many brain-related medications, it is not concretely understood how Seroquel works, since the technology does not yet exist to microscopically view how the medication affects the brain. However, one can infer Seroquel's general effects on the brain from patients' common responses to it.
Seroquel and Neurotransmitters
It is generally understood that Seroquel affects two major neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin. Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that carry signals from one neuron to another, so interfering with them can considerably change a person's feelings and behavior. Seroquel's active ingredient, quetapine, is believed to reduce these neurotransmitters because schizophrenia, in particular, is associated with overactive dopamine. Therefore, the patient often experiences fewer hallucinations and other manic dysfunctions stemming from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Seroquel and Symptoms
Because Seroquel considerably affects major neurotransmitters, it can cause many physical and mental side effects, especially in the first few weeks of treatment. Most often, it causes fatigue and grogginess, to the point that the patient sleeps most of the time. In addition, it may cause weight gain, restless legs syndrome (RLS), and skin disorders. However, these side effects can clear up as the body adjusts to the Seroquel dosage. If not, the patient may find success working with a doctor on a higher or lower dosage.
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