Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Page Highlights
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There are many treatment options for bipolar disorder
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Staying on prescribed medicine is important
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Talk therapy, support groups, and education may help, too
Thanks to a great deal of research over the years, there are many bipolar
disorder treatment options. With the appropriate treatment plan, many people
who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder may be able to live a more stable life.
Here are some of the things a doctor may recommend as part of a total bipolar
disorder treatment plan.
Bipolar Disorder Medication
Medication is needed for nearly all patients when they are having an episode of
depression or mania. Often, a health care provider will prescribe an
“antipsychotic” or an “atypical antipsychotic.” Medicine may also be needed at
other times, depending on the individual patient.1,2
A doctor cannot tell beforehand which medicine will work for a person. Sometimes
a doctor and patient will need to try several different medicines to find the
one that works.2 They should talk about what kinds of results and
side effects may be expected from treatment and how long it might take to start
experiencing a change.
Although no one knows for sure, medicines used to treat bipolar disorder are
thought to affect chemicals in the brain. These chemicals, called
neurotransmitters, help nerve cells “talk to one another.”1
Side Effects of Bipolar Disorder Medication
Most medications used to treat bipolar disorder can produce serious side
effects. Just as people respond differently to medicines, the types of side
effects they may have can also vary widely.1
It’s also true that if someone has problems with side effects on one medication,
they may have fewer or different side effects when taking a different medicine.1
There are ways to help prevent or manage some side effects. In addition,
the doctor will determine the appropriate dose of medicine to help reduce the
potential impact of certain side effects.1
Talk Therapy for Bipolar Disorder
Talk therapy, also called psychotherapy, helps patients and families to better
cope with disturbing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Talk therapy focuses on
several important aspects of bipolar disorder management, including early
detection of and treatment for mood episodes; managing activity and stress
levels; and training in problem-solving skills.1
Support Groups for Bipolar Disorder
Support groups can help to
promote longer-term mood stability by providing help and understanding. Support
groups can help participants feel safe and accepted, motivate them to follow
their treatment plans, and give them a chance to share experiences with others
who have “been there.”1
Information and Management of Bipolar Disorder
People with bipolar disorder and their loved ones should learn all they can
about possible ways to manage bipolar disorder and help prevent complications.
There are many good sources for bipolar disorder information These
sources include doctors, psychologists, nurses, therapists, counselors and
professional organizations, as well as books and other bipolar
disorder-oriented Web sites.1
What Is SEROQUEL?
This is not a complete summary of safety information. Please discuss the full Prescribing Information for SEROQUEL XR and SEROQUEL with your health care provider.
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. 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 XR and Seroquel are 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 and Seroquel are not approved for patients under the age of 18 years.
- High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with Seroquel XR, Seroquel, and medicines like them. 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 or 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.
- Increases in cholesterol and triglycerides, and weight gain have been reported with Seroquel XR and Seroquel.
- A rare, but potentially fatal, side effect reported with Seroquel XR, Seroquel, and medicines like them 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, Seroquel, and medicines like them 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. 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 and 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 XR or Seroquel because both drugs increase the effects of alcohol. Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated while taking Seroquel XR or Seroquel.
- Common side effects: The most common side effects are drowsiness, dry mouth, increases in cholesterol and triglycerides, dizziness, increased hunger, increases in blood sugar, constipation, weakness, tiredness, weight gain, upset stomach, abdominal pain, a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, sore throat, difficulty speaking, stuffy nose, abnormal liver tests, and sluggishness.
Click here to see full Prescribing Information for SEROQUEL XR and SEROQUEL, including Boxed Warnings.