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What Causes Excessive Sweating After Taking Higher Dose Of Seroquel XR?

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Posted on Fri, 27 Feb 2015
Question: I am bipolar and have been manic since last week. they raised my seroquel xr from 300mg to 400mg, now to 500 mg. I have been experiencing alot of sweating, and wwhat seems like water weight gain. My wedding band is tight and my fingers seem swollen. I don't feel sick or am having any pain. I am not running a fever either, but I just feel hot. I didn't know if this was normal, or if I should be concerned. Because I heard of that NMS or whatever it is called from taking antispchchotics. Also my doctor said taking ambien won't help right now, because of the mania. Is that true ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Low risk of NMS

Detailed Answer:
Good afternoon.

You are correct that some of the symptoms you are mentioning such as weight gain has been reported in some people. The dose you are taking is well within the range of acceptable doses used in most people who are maintenance therapy so I wouldn't be terribly concerned about NMS though it is still present as a risk in this medication. I don't remember ever having seen any of patients who are on Seroquel have NMS. Personally, I'm not a particular fan of this medication simply because I'm of the belief that it seems to cause more side effects than beneficial ones in the vast majority of my patients who are on it (from other physicians). Having said that, I can also tell you that many of my patients who come to me for other problems and who are on Seroquel do not suffer any significant side effects.

Sweating you mention (cold sweats) are some of the more common symptoms we with the use of this drug. If the sweating began after starting or raising the dose of the drug then, clearly you will want to talk to your provider who prescribed it. DO NOT SIMPLY STOP OR COLD TURKEY this medication as it can cause rebound problems which will simply complicate your life...Ha! Make sure if you are told to come off the drug that you ask for a slow tapering or weaning schedule.

Also, it may cause there to be somnolence in some people as a side effect so perhaps you wouldn't even need to use any type of sleeper such as Ambien. Give the dose change about a week or 2 to settle in and see what happens.

I hope that gives you a bit of an overview as to some of my thoughts on your situation. I very much hope that an answer is close at hand and wish you the best in getting things under control.

I'd appreciate the favor of your providing a STAR RATING and some brief written feedback if your question has been satisfactorily answered. In addition, CLOSING THE QUERY on your end will also be most helpful.

Here is my webpage to keep me informed as to how you're doing or if you had any further questions on this or other matters:

bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi

Cheers

This query has required 22 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile the return envoy to the patient.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dariush Saghafi (30 minutes later)
This medication was given to me 2 years ago and raised to 300mg after about 2 months use. I never had any side effects from it, and it in fact made a huge difference in in making me level out and become stable, for the past 2 years. I have however gained and lost weight back and forth alot on it. The sweating has been happening a little while. And right now I am overweight. I was just wondering about the safety. My psychiatrist told me it is pretty well tolerated in people, but said things to watch out for. But I have been dealing with bipolar for 16 years and and been on many medications. I would go through good spells, then get bad again rapidly. Seroquel xr is the first one that has kept me stable the longest, until now for some reason I became manic. I was told it is suppose to be a good drug. I was just concerned about the effects of raising it. I also take 4 mg of klonopin, for a very high anxiety with my bipolar. And am on 20mg of prozac, and 150mg of trileptal, which my new doctor is weaning me off, because she doesn't like it. Also do you have any advice on how to slow down the weight gain, and possibly lose weight, which i think would help me as well as the medications, being at a healthy weight. I don't understand how it causes weight gain.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (16 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Medication is safe to use in the vast majority of patients

Detailed Answer:
I agree with the decision to continue using this medication if you believe it has been of substantial benefit to you compared to other choices that you may have tried. Your symptoms of excessive sweating in and of itself do not constitute enough symptomatology to warrant a concern over NMS.

NMS has been reported in RARE instances according to the Food and Drug Administration and again by staying well within the bounds of recommended dosing your risk of NMS is minimized even further.

As far as weight gain is concerned approximately 6% of patients on Seroquel report unwanted weight gain. There is no literature on what actually causes this to occur.

Here is an interesting link to a webpage specifically talking about weight gain while on Seroquel:

http://www.ehow.com/about_0000_seroquel-cause-weight-gain.html

The best methods to lose the weight would be to maintain what is referred to as a "heart healthy diet" which includes foods low in cholesterol, saturated fats, and include generous portions of fruits and vegetables.

At the same time an exercise program should be started that includes at least 30 minutes of a regimen of activities which will cause you to maintain a heart rate of about 20% above resting levels for at least 15-20 minutes of the 30 min. workout. This type of program can be gym based, home based, or tailor made alongside an expert personal trainer. Aerobic types of exercises that accomplish these parameters are found throughout gym clubs given in group classes which are usually included as part of membership dues.

Limiting alcohol and tobacco intake is also considered part of a heart healthy dietary and physical exercise plan which works for losing unwanted weight taking Seroquel (or any medication for that matter).

I'd appreciate the favor of your providing a STAR RATING and some brief written feedback if your questions have been satisfactorily answered. In addition, CLOSING THE QUERY on your end will also be most helpful.

Don't forget that my webpage to keep me abreast as to how you're doing is:

bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi

All the Best

This query has required a total of 43 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile the return envoy to the patient.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2472 Questions

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What Causes Excessive Sweating After Taking Higher Dose Of Seroquel XR?

Brief Answer: Low risk of NMS Detailed Answer: Good afternoon. You are correct that some of the symptoms you are mentioning such as weight gain has been reported in some people. The dose you are taking is well within the range of acceptable doses used in most people who are maintenance therapy so I wouldn't be terribly concerned about NMS though it is still present as a risk in this medication. I don't remember ever having seen any of patients who are on Seroquel have NMS. Personally, I'm not a particular fan of this medication simply because I'm of the belief that it seems to cause more side effects than beneficial ones in the vast majority of my patients who are on it (from other physicians). Having said that, I can also tell you that many of my patients who come to me for other problems and who are on Seroquel do not suffer any significant side effects. Sweating you mention (cold sweats) are some of the more common symptoms we with the use of this drug. If the sweating began after starting or raising the dose of the drug then, clearly you will want to talk to your provider who prescribed it. DO NOT SIMPLY STOP OR COLD TURKEY this medication as it can cause rebound problems which will simply complicate your life...Ha! Make sure if you are told to come off the drug that you ask for a slow tapering or weaning schedule. Also, it may cause there to be somnolence in some people as a side effect so perhaps you wouldn't even need to use any type of sleeper such as Ambien. Give the dose change about a week or 2 to settle in and see what happens. I hope that gives you a bit of an overview as to some of my thoughts on your situation. I very much hope that an answer is close at hand and wish you the best in getting things under control. I'd appreciate the favor of your providing a STAR RATING and some brief written feedback if your question has been satisfactorily answered. In addition, CLOSING THE QUERY on your end will also be most helpful. Here is my webpage to keep me informed as to how you're doing or if you had any further questions on this or other matters: bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi Cheers This query has required 22 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile the return envoy to the patient.