Why is seroquel xr so expensive

Today, American doctors and consumers are under constant pressure not just to utilize prescriptions, but to figure out how to pay for them.

Pharmaceutical companies launch commercials and advertising campaigns that target consumers and encourage them to "ask their doctor" if a certain medication is right for them. But on a less obvious level, they also employ armies of brand ambassadors and pharmaceutical sales representatives to target doctors and incentivize them to prescribe the drugs on their company's product offering.

And if that weren't enough, insurance companies often broker deals with pharmaceutical companies to put certain drugs on their "preferred" coverage lists — even medications that perform the same function and retail at similar prices.

The difference is that Brand A brokered a deal that Brand B could not close. If the patient feels that Brand B works better for them, they'll have to jump through multiple hoops in order to obtain a special authorization for the prescription — and even then, it's not always possible.

Along with the ethical implications of price gouging consumers, these practices have helped to foster a chaotic and dangerous economy where the cost of essential drugs are grossly inflated. Additionally, it has created a market that is saturated with prescription drugs that some people might not necessarily need.

This ultimately makes it more difficult for the people who actually do need these medications to be able to afford them. Despite the fact that so many Americans suffer from some type and degree of mental illness, they aren't necessarily comfortable seeking or willing to seek treatment.

Statistics show that mental health disorders like anxiety have practically doubled in young people over the past decades, but children and adolescents often aren't getting the help they need — something that is crucial at such an impressionable age.

There are many factors that affect how and why people get treatment for mental health issues, but experts believe that the cost of prescription drugs in the United States is one of the primary barriers to access.

Anxiety is among the leading mental health disorders among Americans. Whether it's a popular mental health drug like Abilify or a statin like Lipitor to manage high cholesterol and the risk of heart disease a leading cause of death for both men and women in the U. Regulation is typically frowned upon when it comes to corporations and industries in the United States. In countries like Canada and member states of the European Union, regulations are considered a commonsense practice that ensure businesses play by the rules and engage in fair market practices.

The vast majority of the time, these regulations are said to be in place to protect consumers and to allow greater access to important resources. For example, the Canadian government regulates how much pharmaceutical companies can charge for prescription drugs — which helps control prices. In the United States, even necessary regulations are often seen as a burdensome and a politically motivated attack on a free market.

As we've seen in the U. The fact that healthcare and prescription drugs are treated as just another commodity and high profit industry is arguably one of the biggest concerns that consumers seem to have in the United States health insurance system.

As too many Americans have learned over the last few years, big pharma profits take precedence over the health and safety of American lives. American citizens have experienced significant strife at the hands of an unregulated healthcare industry, from losing their life savings to going into debt and even dying from treatable conditions. The patent system in the United States is structured in a way that gives pharmaceutical companies an advantage. Essentially, the law allows them to create a temporary monopoly.

Patents on brand name drugs typically last for 20 years, at which point generic drugs are able to go into production, but even then, it takes years for generics to be formulated, tested, FDA-approved, and released to the public.

In the meantime, the pharmaceutical developer is able to reap all the benefits of being the only company able to profit from the drug, all while developing drugs that are in direct competition with their existing drugs to launch when the existing drug goes off patent.

Furthermore, they're able to manipulate the market by keeping less expensive generic drugs off the market for years or even decades, and extending the life of patents for expensive brand name drugs by making minor changes to the formulation or method of production.

And to top it all off, pharmaceutical companies often artificially inflate prices prior to a generic drug entering the market. It should not be combined with antiarrhythmic drugs, certain antibiotics, antipsychotic drugs, alcohol, or methadone.

These drugs include benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, certain pain medications, antihistamines, and sedatives. You should always use Seroquel according to dosage. Your individual dosage will expend on your age, what condition you have, and other factors. If addiction occurs, inpatient treatment is likely the best solution. An inpatient program will begin with detoxing, which allows patients to experience the effects in withdrawal in a comfortable and healthy environment.

Tags: prescription drug use , prescription drugs , prescription medication , Seroquel. What Is Seroquel? Why People Use Seroquel Doctors commonly prescribe Seroquel to treat or ease the symptoms of mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. Does Seroquel Get You High? Side Effects of Seroquel Seroquel, when misused, certainly comes with complications.

Avoid operating hazardous machinery including cars until you are certain that the medication does not impair your mental alertness, judgment, or physical coordination. Enlarged prostate: This medication may worsen symptoms of an enlarged prostate, such as reduced urine flow. If you have a prostate condition, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Glaucoma: People with glaucoma increased pressure in the eyes may find that this medication makes the symptoms of glaucoma worse. If you have glaucoma, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Heart conditions: If you have a heart condition such as angina, heart failure, and irregular heartbeat, or have had a heart attack, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Heart rhythm: Quetiapine can cause changes to the normal rhythm of the heart, including an irregular heartbeat called QT prolongation. QT prolongation is a serious life-threatening condition that can cause fainting, seizures, and sudden death.

If you are at risk for heart rhythm problems e. Hormonal changes: Quetiapine, in rare instances, can cause an increase in the hormone called prolactin, which may lead to production of breast milk in women and altered monthly periods. It may also lead to swelling of the breasts in men. High levels of prolactin combined with a condition called hypogonadism, may increase the risk of osteoporosis in men and women. Hypersensitivity syndrome: A severe allergic reaction called hypersensitivity syndrome has occurred for some people with the use of quetiapine.

Stop taking the medication and get immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, including extensive skin rash, fever, swollen glands, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or flu-like symptoms with skin rash or blistering.

Kidney problems: If you have kidney problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver problems: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause this medication to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Quetiapine has been reported to cause liver failure, which has in rare cases, caused death. This medication may also cause a decrease in liver function. If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

Low blood pressure: Quetiapine may cause a lowering of blood pressure when rising from a sitting or lying position, or a racing heart rate, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded or feel your pulse is racing, and this feeling does not go away after a few minutes, call your doctor. Because this medication can cause dizziness or lightheadedness, do not get up too quickly after you have been sitting or lying for prolonged periods.

Movement disorders: There is a risk of developing tardive dyskinesia TD , a condition which causes repetitive, uncontrollable, and purposeless movements such as grimacing; tongue protrusion; lip smacking; puckering; rapid eye blinking; rapid movements of the arms, legs, and body trunk. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome NMS : A risk of developing this condition has been associated with antipsychotic medications, including quetiapine.

If you experience increased sweating and sensations of warmth, muscle stiffness, emotional and behavioural changes, or irregular heartbeat, contact your doctor immediately. People taking this medication should take care to avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated. Pancreatitis: Quetiapine can cause the pancreas to become inflamed. If you have a history of pancreatitis, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Report signs of pancreatitis such as abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, or swollen abdomen to your doctor immediately. If you have a history of pancreatitis, gallstones, alcoholism, or high triglycerides, you may be more at risk of experiencing this. Seizures: If you have a history of seizures, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Sleep apnea: This medication may cause sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea, or are taking medications which cause sedation or sleepiness, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Stopping the medication: Stopping this medication suddenly may cause symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, upset stomach, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, and irritability.

A gradual reduction in dose over a period of at least 1 or 2 weeks is recommended. If you are thinking of stopping the medication, check with your doctor first. Suicidal or agitated behaviour: Adults and children taking this medication may feel agitated restless, anxious, aggressive, emotional, and feeling not like themselves , or they may want to hurt themselves or others.

These symptoms may occur within several weeks after starting this medication. If you experience these side effects or notice them in a family member who is taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Your doctor will monitor you closely for these side effects while you are taking this medication. Thyroid changes: Quetiapine is associated with a decrease in thyroid hormone. If you have low thyroid hypothyroidism , discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Weight gain: Quetiapine is associated with an increase in body weight.

Your doctor may monitor you for weight changes while you are taking this medication. Pregnancy: The safety of quetiapine use during pregnancy is not known. The use of this medication by the mother in the last 3 months of pregnancy has resulted in the newborn experiencing withdrawal effects.