Seroquel and Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar disorder is a condition characterized by vast mood swings that take a person through cycles of serious depressions and of manic highs. The disorder is linked to the neurotransmitter serotonin which works in the brain to help regulate mood. Seroquel interferes with the interaction between serotonin and its receptors in the brain, helping to stabilize both the lows of the disorder manifested in severe bouts of depression and the highs exhibited in severe manic episodes. Seroquel can be used to treat acute episodes of both or on a regular schedule, typically in combination with lithium or other drugs, to help maintain long-term stability in those with the disorder.
  
  

Seroquel and Schizophrenia

• Schizophrenia is a psychiatric condition typically characterized by some form of visual or auditory hallucinations, irrational thinking and extreme paranoia. The disorder is associated with the neurotransmitter dopamine. By preventing the brain's receptors from being able to interact with the dopamine neurotransmitters, Seroquel cuts down on the paranoid thought processes brought about by the disorder and helps people maintain greater stability of their mental states. Dementia in the elderly is a condition that has some symptoms in common with schizophrenia as well as similar chemical roots, and Seroquel can also be used in the treatment of these symptoms when present in dementia patients.
  
  

Administration

• Seroquel is taken in tablet form and is prescribed in three different doses. It is absorbed through the stomach and circulated throughout the body and through the brain in the blood stream. It is then metabolized by the liver and excreted from the body primarily through urine. Seroquel's efficacy is not impacted by race or sex, although it does require different dosages in people of different ages and may carry greater risk of severe side effects in the elderly. Children as young as 10 may be prescribed Seroquel, but their dosage and sensitivity to Seroquel and the effectiveness of the drug in treating their psychiatric conditions should be monitored closely by a psychiatrist as they grow and develop.