Bipolar disorder treatment

Many people with bipolar disorder are able to manage their symptoms. Feeling better often involves a combination of education, medication, and therapy. There are a number of different medications that have been shown to be effective in people with bipolar disorder, including Seroquel XR. In many cases, psychotherapy ("talk therapy") is also used. Learn more about Seroquel XR and bipolar disorder.

Some of the Goals of Bipolar Disorder Treatment

  • Reduce symptoms of depressive episodes
  • Reduce symptoms of manic episodes
  • Reduce the likelihood of future episodes/relapse
  • Reduce the severity of the disease
  • Provide assistance and support to patients and family

Bipolar Disorder Medication

Many types of medications are used effectively to treat bipolar disorder. One such medication approved to treat bipolar disorder is Seroquel XR. Learn more about Seroquel XR.

Once your health care professional has developed a treatment plan for you, it's important to follow it carefully. Your health care professional will depend on you to let him or her know exactly how you are feeling, so your treatment can be adjusted, if needed. Use these questions to ask your doctor to help prepare for your next appointment.

Medications used to treat bipolar disorder have potential side effects. Just as people respond differently to medications, the types of side effects they may have may also vary. Also, someone who has problems with side effects on one medication may have fewer or different side effects when taking a different medication. Be sure to talk to your health care professional about what you may experience when getting started and during your treatment plan.

Psychotherapy ("Talk Therapy") for Bipolar Disorder

Psychotherapy (also called "talk therapy") can help patients and families to better cope with disturbing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with bipolar disorder. Talk therapy focuses on several important aspects of bipolar disorder management, including

  • Early detection of and treatment for mood episodes
  • Managing activity, stress level, and social functioning
  • Training in problem-solving skills

Psychotherapy can be used in combination with medication and other treatment approaches. Find out more about living with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Disorder Support Groups

Support groups can help promote longer-term mood stability by providing help and understanding. Support groups can help participants feel safe and accepted, encourage them to stick with their treatment plans, and allow them to share experiences with others who have been through the same thing. Learn more about support groups.

Information on Managing Bipolar Disorder

People with bipolar disorder and their loved ones should learn all they can about possible ways to manage the disease and help prevent complications. Good sources of information include doctors, psychologists, nurses, therapists, counselors, and professional organizations, as well as books and Web sites related to bipolar disorder. You may also download some of our helpful tools designed to help you track your moods and work with your health care professional.

Get more help living with bipolar disorder.

Related Information

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The information on this Web site should not take the place of talking with your doctor or health care professional. If you have any questions about your condition, or if you would like more information about Seroquel XR, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Only you and your health care professional can decide if Seroquel XR is right for you.

Important Safety Information and Indications for Seroquel XR

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 XR 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 XR is not approved for patients under the age of 18 years.

  • High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with Seroquel XR 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 XR 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
  • Increases in cholesterol and triglycerides, and weight gain have been reported with Seroquel XR
  • A rare, but potentially fatal, side effect reported with Seroquel XR 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 XR 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 prolactin levels 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
  • During treatment, tell your doctor if you feel dizzy or lightheaded upon standing, or if you have trouble swallowing
  • Suicidal thoughts or actions may occur; tell your doctor if you have thoughts about death or suicide
  • Since drowsiness has been reported with Seroquel XR, 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 XR because Seroquel XR increases the effects of alcohol. Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated while taking Seroquel XR
  • Common side effects: The most common side effects are drowsiness, dry mouth, increases in cholesterol and triglycerides, constipation, upset stomach, dizziness, a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, weight gain, increased hunger, tiredness, increases in blood sugar, difficulty speaking, and stuffy nose

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

Indications

Seroquel XR is a once-daily tablet approved to treat acute depressive episodes in bipolar disorder; acute manic or mixed episodes in bipolar disorder alone or when added to lithium or divalproex; long-term maintenance of bipolar disorder when added to lithium or divalproex; and schizophrenia.

Click here to see Prescribing Information for Seroquel XR, including Boxed Warnings.

Please see the last page of the Prescribing Information for the Medication Guide.

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.

Patient photos are intended to be representative of typical patients with bipolar disorder and are not of actual patients.

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