Seroquel Drug Interactions
Seroquel helps countless people who suffer with manic depression or schizophrenia by blocking some of the chemical receptors in the brain. The chemistry of the brain can be balanced out using Seroquel, but there are also several medications that, if taken at the same time, can cause serious problems. Some drugs that can interaction with Seroquel are clarithyromycin, cimetidine, lorazepam, phenytoin, thioridazine, and mefloquine.
Increased Side Effects of Seroquel
Antibiotics, such as clarithyromycin, can have drug interactions with Seroquel. These types of medication often increase the level of Seroquel in the blood. This increases the risk of side effects. If patients are using an antibiotic they should consult with their doctor to see if the Seroquel dosage should be lowered. Cimitidine is a medication that reduces the acid in the stomach. It can also increase the risk of side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, low blood pressure and dizziness. This can compromise a patient’s ability to drive or perform natural every day activities. A doctor should be consulted before starting an antibiotic or cimetidine.
Lorazepam and Seroquel
Lorazepam, also known as Ativan, is used to treat anxiety. Patients who take both lorazepam and Seroquel should be aware that it will increase the level of lorazepam in the blood. This increases the risks of the side effects of lorazepam. Some of these side effects include depression, suicidal thoughts, difficulty breathing, seizures, increased agitation, aggression, insomnia, and in some cases hallucinations. Some patients also experienced signs of allergic reaction, including rashes, itching and swelling. This can be very dangerous, and if a patient begins to experience any signs of an allergic reaction, they should consult their doctor immediately.
Medications that Decrease the Effectiveness of Seroquel
Phenytoin is the generic form of Dilantin. Dilantin is used to treat seizures in patients who have epilepsy. If Seroquel and Dilantin are taken simultaneously, it can decrease the level of Seroquel in the blood stream. The effects of Seroquel are lessened which can be dangerous in patients who require Seroquel to function normally. Thioridazine is a medication that is used to treat schizophrenia. It also can decrease the effectiveness of Seroquel. Patients who are taking any of these medications should discuss their medications with their doctor so they can adjust medications for the best outcome.
Malaria Medication and Seroquel
Mefloquine and halofantrine are both generic forms of commonly prescribed malaria medication. They are used to both treat and prevent malaria. If these medications are mixed with Seroquel, the effects can be life threatening. These medications can cause QT interval prolongation. The QT interval is the measure of time between the start of the Q wave and the end of the T wave in the heart’s electrical cycle. By prolonging this interval it can cause serious heart arrhythmia and even death. Seroquel patients should be very cautious of malaria medications and should consult with a doctor before starting any new medication.
Seroquel, on average, is a very safe medication that can offer relief to patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Unfortunately, if Seroquel is mixed with the wrong medications it can cause very serious drug interactions. Patients should be aware of the possible risks to their health and should consult with a doctor often.
