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How Effective Is Quetiapine Slow Release 25 In Controlling Anxiety?

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Posted on Thu, 3 Mar 2016
Question: Hello doctor - was wanting to check with you if quetiapine 25 is available in controlled release, If yes, can I switch from quetiapine 25 to quetiapine slow release 25?. My doctor has said to take quetiapine 12.5 mor/eve....the morning dose makes me drowsy, can I take 25 in the night instead of 12.5 mor/eve and will it be effective to control my anxiety?Also, if 25 slow release is available, will 25 slow release be as effective as immediate release 25? Pls advice.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The drug is available in SR form in 100-300 mg doses.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

Quetiapine is available in SR (sustained release) formulation in 100-300 mg doses. For the dose of 25-50 mg the drug is available in plain formulation.

Better to take the 25 mg dose at nights without any worries. This will control the anxiety and help in sleep also. The morning drowsiness will be avoided then.

Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)
I have taken 12.5 in the morning today. Should I take 25 in the night today or I take 12.5 today night and make 25 in the night from tomorrow?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (58 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes you can take 25 in evening

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

Yes you can do either of both these things. You can take 25 mg in evening today and this will help in sleep and will help in better functioning.

Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 hours later)
Doc - do you think if I continue with 12.5 mor/eve quetiapine, my sedation in the morning will go after some days?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (56 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Its better to take in evening.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up

Quetiapine is inwon to cause sedation and this sedation will not reduce much with time if you continue to take the drug in morning in my opinion. I usually advise my patients to take the drug in evening hours preferably. So its better if you start taking the drug in evening time.

Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (14 hours later)
Dear doctor - feeling constipated, did not sleep well last night. Feeling anxious and slight stomach cramps and burning. What do you think can be the cause? Do you think it is quetiapine? If yes, what else can I take along with mirtaz to help me with my anxiety, stomach problem, constipation and better sleep. Pls advice.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Other drug can be tried

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

Yes most probably the cause of constipation is Quetiapine. If this become intolerable then better to go with some other medicine.

One option for anxiety is Buspirone. The drug doesn't affect sleep quality and will not cause much effects on bowel functions. You can think of starting this drug. Or alternatively you can wait for a couple of weeks to see effects of Quetiapine.

Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (48 hours later)
Dear doctor - presently am on :
Mirtaz 22.5 in the night
Quetiapine 12.5 mor/eve
Olimelt 1.25 alt days in the night
Etizolam 0.25 in the morning
Betacap tr 20
I suffer from anticipatory anxiety and phobia of meetings. With this combination, anxiety is still there but the intensity is less. And I suffer from constipation, stomach cramps and burning sensation, sleep is not that restful and sedation in the morning.
What change of medication or change in the dosage of mirtaz and quetiapen would you recommend so that my stomach issues are taken care of? Desperately need your advice!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Wait for some days

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

One option is to reduce the dose of Mirtazapine to 15 mg again and this will help you. Other option is to wait for some days. This will result in development of tolerance and thus will reduce the constipation.

Try to remain relaxed, in a week or two you will start seeing improvement.

Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (10 hours later)
Since your reply came late, reduced mirtaz to 15+1/2of7.5 and didn't take quetiapen last night. Feeling better, stomach also cleared well. Took a second opinion y'day, that doc told me to stop everything and just take vilazodone 20, was wondering if I can stop mirtaz, olimelt and etilam cold turkey as I have been taking them for a very long time. Since I am apprehensive of stopping all other medicines, didn't take vilazodone. Also, since my stomach is just too sensitive, don't know how vilazodone will behave on my stomach. Since I am feeling better with the above dose of mirtaz and olimelt 1.25 in the night and etilam 0.25 in the morning, was wondering if I need to add other drug that is safer to the stomach to control my anxiety as its not gone completely. What would be your advice.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (20 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Abrupt stoppage is not advisable

Detailed Answer:
Hi, I am sorry for replying late because busy with national conference of Psychiatrists.

Since you have reduced the dose of Mirtazapine slightly and stopped Quetiapine and are feeling better so in my opinion no need to stop these drugs and starting Vilazodine after stopping these drugs cold turkey is not a good idea. This might result in withdrawal because you are very sensitive to dose changes.

Wait for some days, if symptoms become worse or doesn't improve the you can think of changing the drug to Vilazodone.

Cross-tapering can be done. Mirtazapine dose can be reduced over 4 weeks and in the same time Vilazodone doses can be increased to optimum doses.

This would not result in much worsening of symptoms. Vilazodone is a new drug in XXXXXXX markets and had serotonergic actions but safe in terms of side effects. I have not used the drug much to my patients but literature says the drug has promising results.

Thanks, please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5193 Questions

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How Effective Is Quetiapine Slow Release 25 In Controlling Anxiety?

Brief Answer: The drug is available in SR form in 100-300 mg doses. Detailed Answer: Hello again, Quetiapine is available in SR (sustained release) formulation in 100-300 mg doses. For the dose of 25-50 mg the drug is available in plain formulation. Better to take the 25 mg dose at nights without any worries. This will control the anxiety and help in sleep also. The morning drowsiness will be avoided then. Thanks.