Making the Most of Medical Treatment

Getting treatment for bipolar disorder is not a “once and done” thing. You will need to see a doctor for a long period of time—perhaps for the rest of your life. Below are some questions that may help you decide on the right doctor for you.

Ask yourself these questions about the doctor:

• Do you feel comfortable when you are with this person?
• Do you respect this person’s knowledge?
• Do you trust this person’s judgment?
• Do you believe this person will do his or her best to help you get well?
• Does this person seem to listen to your concerns?
• Does this person try to answer your questions in a way you understand?
• Is the office staff helpful when you make an appointment, ask a question, or need to contact your provider?

When you like your doctor, it may make communication easier and help you stick to your treatment plan.

Be an informed patient
Being an informed patient will help you on your way to managing bipolar disorder.¹ Learn from your doctor about what you can do to help your treatment work. By working together, you will have a better chance of getting the full benefits of treatment.

Here are some ideas:

• Be on time and show up for all medical appointments
• Do your best to follow your doctor’s advice—this may include things like taking medicine as prescribed, getting regular sleep, and keeping a Mood Diary¹
• Be honest about things that are bothering you
• Let your doctor know if you notice mood changes
• Tell your doctor if you are thinking about or stop taking a prescribed medicine
• Ask questions. Choose questions you may wish to ask your doctor from our Customized Discussion Guide

When a Loved One Has Bipolar Disorder

This is not a complete summary of safety information. Please discuss the full Prescribing Information with your health care provider.

SEROQUEL is approved for depressive episodes and acute manic episodes in bipolar disorder; long-term maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder in combination with lithium or divalproex; and schizophrenia.

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) treated with this type of medicine are at an increased risk of death, compared to placebo (sugar pill). SEROQUEL is not approved for treating these patients.

Antidepressants have increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults. Patients of all ages starting treatment should be watched closely for worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, unusual changes in behavior, agitation, and irritability. Families and caregivers should watch patients daily and report these symptoms immediately to the physician. SEROQUEL is not approved for patients under the age of 18 years.

• High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with SEROQUEL and medicines like it. If you have diabetes or risk factors such as obesity or a family history of diabetes, ask your doctor about checking your blood sugar before starting SEROQUEL and regularly throughout treatment. If you develop symptoms of high blood sugar or diabetes, such as excessive thirst or hunger, increased urination, or weakness, contact your doctor. Complications from diabetes can be serious and even life threatening
• A rare, but potentially fatal, side effect reported with SEROQUEL and medicines like it is neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Tell your doctor if you have very high fever; rigid muscles; shaking; confusion; sweating; changes in pulse, heart rate, or blood pressure; or muscle pain and weakness because treatment should be stopped if you have NMS
• Another serious side effect reported with SEROQUEL and medicines like it is tardive dyskinesia (TD)—uncontrollable movements of the face, tongue, or other parts of the body. TD may become permanent, and the risk of TD is believed to increase as the length of time on and the amount of these medications increase. While TD can develop in patients taking low doses for short periods, this is much less common. There is no known treatment for TD, but it may go away partially or completely if treatment is stopped
• Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have high cholesterol or have a history of, or are at risk for, seizures or a low white blood cell (WBC) count. An eye exam for cataracts is recommended at the beginning of treatment and every 6 months thereafter. Suicidal thoughts or actions may occur in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia; tell your doctor if you have thoughts about death or suicide. During treatment, tell your doctor if you feel dizzy or lightheaded upon standing. Since drowsiness has been reported with SEROQUEL, you should not participate in activities such as driving or operating machinery until you know that you can do so safely. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking SEROQUEL because SEROQUEL increases the effects of alcohol. Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated while taking SEROQUEL
• Common side effects: The most common side effects are dry mouth, sedation, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, weakness, abdominal pain, sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, sore throat, weight gain, sluggishness, high blood sugar, nasal congestion, abnormal liver tests, and upset stomach

Talk to your doctor about prescription SEROQUEL.
Click here for full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warnings.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

 

REFERENCES:

1. Keck PE, Perlis RH, Otto MW, Carpenter D, Ross R, Docherty JP. The Expert Consensus Guideline Series: Treatment of Bipolar Disorder 2004. A Postgraduate Medicine Special Report. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; December 2004.

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•    What Is Bipolar Disorder?
•    What Is SEROQUEL?
•    You and Your Doctor
  •    Types of Health Care      Providers
  •    Making the Most of      Medical Treatment
•    When a Loved One Has        Bipolar Disorder
•    Where to Find Help
•    Helpful Tools
•    Sign Up for the Thinking        Forward Program

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This product information is intended for US audiences only.
SEROQUEL is a registered trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.
©2008 AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP.  All rights reserved.  270758 11/08