SUPPORTING YOUR LOVED ONE

Coming to Terms With Bipolar Disorder

Acceptance does not mean giving up on the person you care about or giving in to the disease. Accepting that your loved one has bipolar disorder may mean taking on a new role for that person, for your family, and for yourself.

There may be many adjustments ahead for you. As you learn about things you can do to help your loved one, you will also learn what you need to do for yourself in order to cope and stay strong.

UNDERSTANDING EPISODES AND SYMPTOMS OF BIPOLAR DISORDER

People with bipolar disorder will have times when their mood is "normal" and balanced, or close to that. But they will also have times of extreme mood swings. These are called "episodes."

Although it may sound strange, your loved one could be experiencing an episode and not even realize it. But you probably know the warning signs of a depressed "low" or manic "high," and you can help by letting your loved one and his or her health care professional know right away.

Whether you are the spouse, a significant other, a family member, or a close friend of someone with bipolar disorder, your support is important. There are a few basic things you may be able to do to help your loved one manage bipolar disorder. Understanding the condition and its signs and symptoms is an important one. Learn more about support.

HELP WITH MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS

It's important for your loved one to keep scheduled medical appointments. This is true during episodes of illness and even when your loved one isn't having symptoms. If you are a spouse or significant other, you should consider attending medical appointments with your loved one's permission to get information firsthand from the health care professional.

Remind your loved one about medical appointments and offer to give him or her support during the appointment or to provide transportation, as needed.

HELP WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER MEDICATION

Your loved one may not want to take prescribed medication. Side effects may be a concern. Do what you can, within reason, to help your loved one discuss the need for medication with his or her health care professional promptly. The health care professional should promptly be told about the following concerns.

  • If your loved one is complaining about side effects
  • If your loved one doesn't think a medication is working the way it should
  • If your loved one stops or is thinking about stopping taking a prescribed medication

PLAN FOR FUTURE BIPOLAR DISORDER EPISODES

Having a plan in place may help you and your loved one feel a little more in control. Make arrangements with your loved one during stable periods to help reduce problems during future episodes of illness. Talk about the possible need to put certain safeguards in place. These safeguards might include taking away credit cards, banking privileges, and car keys, and having a plan about when to go to the hospital.

Make sure you know where to find the following things.

  • Contact information for your loved one's health care professionals and pharmacy
  • A list of your loved one's medications and dosages
  • Your loved one's insurance information, such as plan names, coverage, and approved providers
  • Contact information for bipolar disorder support groups or crisis lines

Get tips designed to help caregivers cope with bipolar disorder.


Is Seroquel XR right for you?

Learn more

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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