Quetiapine query

[Chocolate Fireguard]

Just wondering if anyone knew whether quetiapine should be used to prevent or treat psychotic-type episodes. My partner used to be on it when she had a psychotic breakdown but came off a few months ago and has had a couple of relapses this week. She was led to believe that she had to take this as a preventative measure while she was ill but could then come off it. It knocks her out somewhat as it's the immediate release version and so it would help if she took it whilst in an episide in that sense, but I reckon that she should try the extended release version which might knock her out less. I haven't got experience in the drug myself so I wondered if anyone had any experience or opinions for me?

Thank you! :)

[Snow White.]

I know it's difficult but the best person to ask is the person who prescribed it. They know most about it and her so can provide the advice with the most knowledge. Most of what we say will be personal experience which can be hazardous with medication because it's different for everyone.

[Ballerina123]

I know it's difficult but the best person to ask is the person who prescribed it. They know most about it and her so can provide the advice with the most knowledge. Most of what we say will be personal experience which can be hazardous with medication because it's different for everyone.

This is right.

There is the option of other medication if they don't like the side effects of quietapine. You could ask the doctor about other options if the side effects on quietapine are too much for your partner.

[Chocolate Fireguard]

Thanks girls. I just wanted to know if anyone really knew whether it was mainly used as a preventative to episodes or whether it was used during episodes. I understand that talking to the physician is the best thing to do, but in the meantime I just wanted to know. The current plan we have is that if she has an episode, I'm going to get her home & give her quetiapine and hopefully it'll just make her sleep. She's going to try to make an appointment with her GP today to talk about it, but so far we've not heard anything about her seeing the private doctor which her parents take her to. There just seems to be no sense of urgency about any of it.

[Ballerina123]

I took it as both.
At first I was in it to get me out of an episode then I stayed on it as a preventative. I'm on a different medication now but it does the same thing. Every time I come off meds I get very psychotic so for the time being I use it as a preventative.

[Chocolate Fireguard]

Thank you, it's really helpful to know that it can be used as both.

[tiptoes]

I take it mostly as a mood stabiliser but it does help me not get psychotic/delusional in high and low mood states too. I take a moderate dose to prevent an episode and a high dose during an episode. If the side effects are bothersome longer term this might be something else to discuss with the prescribing doctor also.

[Snow White.]

Both, if it is the immediate release version for the 'during' part.

[random.swirls]

Yep I'm on it for both prevention and during though during my dose may get raised and then reduced etc.

Some trusts won't prescribe the extended release so you will need to talk to your dr about it

[Chocolate Fireguard]

Thank you all. She's supposed to have an appointment tomorrow so we'll see what they say.

[Snow White.]

All best for the appointment, I hope it's helpful x