Why Regular Physical Health Monitoring is Imperative for Quetiapine Users

Why Regular Physical Health Monitoring is Imperative for Quetiapine Users

If you’re taking quetiapine, also known as Seroquel, for any mental health condition, it’s crucial to have regular physical health monitoring. Quetiapine is an antipsychotic medication that can cause significant short and long-term health effects, so it’s essential to keep track and understand your physical health status to avoid complications.

The Importance of Regular Physical Health Monitoring

The primary reason for physical health monitoring is to identify potential side effects or symptoms of developing health conditions that may arise from taking quetiapine. Quetiapine’s primary function is to reduce symptoms of mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression, but it can cause several health complications in the process.

Monitoring physical health allows you and your healthcare provider to track the progression of your physical health and overall well-being. Potential side effects that may occur include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, seizures, and cognitive impairment.

Early detection of complications can help protect your long-term health and avoid significant health complications. Therefore, it’s necessary to have physical health monitoring in place.

What Physical Health Assessments Should Quetiapine Users Undertake?

There are several physical health assessments that you should undertake regularly, including:

Blood Glucose Levels

Quetiapine may cause impairment of glucose regulation, leading to increased blood sugar levels. Therefore, regular testing can help detect early diabetes and prevent the long-term complications of diabetes.

Liver Function Tests

Quetiapine can cause liver function abnormalities, which can hinder your liver’s ability to detoxify harmful substances. Liver function tests should be performed to monitor for any potential damage.

Cholesterol and Lipid Profile

Quetiapine may lead to an increase in cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Assessing lipid profiles is crucial to keep cholesterol levels in check to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease-related complications.

Weight and BMI

Quetiapine can cause rapid weight gain and increase body mass index (BMI) in some patients. Monitoring changes in weight and BMI is essential to identify any potential concerns early.

Conclusion

Physical health monitoring is necessary for quetiapine users to prevent potential complications that this medication may cause. Regular assessments help detect any changes in physical health and provide early intervention for any issues detected.

If you’re taking quetiapine, ensure that you schedule regular physical health assessments with your healthcare provider to protect your physical health and ensure that your treatment is both effective and safe.