Quetiapine

[Bethenny]

Hi everyone.

New to this group 🤗.

I have just got back from a new doctors surgery with my 20 year old son. Long story short - he wanted advice/treatment for anxiety and panic attacks. The doctor prescribed Quetiapine. Once home, we looked at the information on this drug. Apparently it is not even recommended in the UK for treating anxiety! Would be very grateful to those in the know (ie. those that suffer with the condition) what they think about this drug. Thank you in advance 🙂.

[Celtic18]

Hi beth don't worry about the quetiapine it's early days for you the side effects if there don't affect everyone it takes several weeks to build up ! It is allowed in the UK I dont know who told you it wasn't as i take it will few problems is you do have questions go to your doctor they are best for advice !

[Bethenny in reply to Celtic18]

Hi Celtic18.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it 🙏. We looked at the NHS website - it's not that it isn't licensed to use in the UK, it's that they said "There's been some research into using Quetiapine for anxiety, but it's not approved for treating this condition. Your doctor will recommend other medicines as the first choice for anxiety". It says the drug is for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. We didn't get on too well with the doctor sadly because my son was so anxious in the waiting room he went to the toilets and when she called him in and he wasn't there she wouldn't wait for me to go and get him because she had others to see. I get that, but it would have only taken me a couple of minutes. Anyway, 3/4 hour later we got to see her, she wasn't very polite, obviously we had annoyed her so I wouldn't want to question her about it! Do you mind me asking if you are taking it for anxiety only ?🙂

[Casivalentina in reply to Bethenny]

Bethenny

[Casivalentina]

Hi Bethany. I used to work as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Many psych meds are prescribed "off label" for a variety of things. Quetiapine is an antipsychotic. It is also used for mood stabilization. I used to use very low doses in my patients for a sleep aid, and occasionally for anxiety. (25-50mg) which is way lower than 200-400 or higher for other uses.

[Casivalentina in reply to Casivalentina]

Darn autocorrect. Bethenny