Posted by mannetje on March 6, 2001, at 14:16:44
In reply to Re: Reaction to Seroquel - A question for CAm » mannetje, posted by Cam W. on March 6, 2001, at 6:40:48
> Mannetje - transient fever is a side effect of Seroquel and occurs in about 2% of people (usually seen in people taking >150mg/day), but usually goes away after a couple of days. Also, dizziness is quite common, especially at the start of therapy and may even be partialy related to the fever. Dizziness and postural hypotension are 2 of the main reasons to titrate the dose of Seroquel slowly, as the doc had been doing.
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> The dizziness probably has more to do with the antihistminergic effects of Seorquel, as the drug doesn't appreciably bind to cholinergic receptors. The abrupt stopping of the Seroquel may have caused a cholinergic rebound effect with the Risperdal (this is just a guess), that manifested as "feeling slowed down". At such a low dose of Seroquel you wouldn't think that you would need to titrate down; usually that is reserved for when the dose is 600mg - 900mg daily. That funny feeling in his head should go away in a day or two.
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> The fever may be of the type seen with other antipsychotics, which is thought to be due to a disruption of the body's ability to reduce core body temperature. This usually happens upon exersion (eg exercise) where the body doesn't cool itself off properly. This is more commonly seen with the low potency traditional antipsychotics (eg higher dose chlorpromazine; esp when taking anticholinergics, as well) and is worsened when one becomes dehydrated in exersion situations.
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> Your son should see his doctor and have a blood test, just to see if he should maybe continue with the Seroquel, but titrate the dose slower. What he is experiencing may just be start-up side effects ans should go away after his body gets use to the drug. The problem is, is that it does take time to get use to the drug and some people think that these initial side effects will continue, which they probably will not. It would be a shame to stop a potentially useful durg and lose one more weapon against the disorder. A slower upward titration may be in order; ask the doctor about this.
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> Hope this helps - Cam
CAm,Thank you again for your help. My son stopped the seroquel and seems ok. What blood test should he take if he wants tio try it agian and does the pupilary dilation inidcate anthing that he should be concerned about? Thank You. This site is so helpful and comforting.
poster:mannetje
thread:55663
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010302/msgs/55731.html