What Is Quetiapine XR Used For? (Cont.)

Quetiapine XR and Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a group of mental disorders that involve abnormal thinking. Schizophrenia is one of the most disabling and confusing mental illnesses. Although the causes of schizophrenia are not fully understood, it is currently thought that genetics and environmental factors play an important role in developing the illness. Depending on the type of schizophrenia (see Types of Schizophrenia), symptoms may include the following:
 
  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions
  • A diminished ability to initiate and sustain planned activity
  • Speaking infrequently, even when forced to interact
  • Poor executive functioning (the ability to absorb and interpret information and make decisions based on that information)
  • An inability to stay focused
  • Thought disorders
  • Disorders of movement
  • Flat affect (immobile facial expression, monotonous voice)
  • Lack of pleasure in everyday life
  • Problems with working memory (the ability to keep recently learned information in mind and use it right away).
     
Although psychotherapy may be helpful for schizophrenia (see Psychosocial Therapy for Schizophrenics), medication is often essential for schizophrenia treatment. Quetiapine XR can help improve the symptoms of schizophrenia. However, quetiapine XR is not a cure for the condition.
 

Quetiapine XR Use in Children

Quetiapine XR has not been approved for treating childhood schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of using quetiapine XR for children.
 
(What Is Quetiapine XR Used For? Continued: Page 3)
Pages:

Previous 1   2   3 Next

Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;