Is Schizophrenia Treatable?
Page Highlights
- There is no cure for schizophrenia
- Treatment may help you feel better
- If you stop taking your medicine, you are more likely to relapse and have your
symptoms return
Consistency Counts
There is currently no cure for schizophrenia. However, there are schizophrenia
treatments that may help you feel better.1
- To reduce your schizophrenia symptoms, it is very important that you take your
medication as prescribed
- Even if there are times when you feel better when you skip a dose, remember
that this effect is just temporary
If you stop taking your medicine, you are more likely to relapse and start
experiencing more symptoms of schizophrenia.1
Do not discontinue your medicine without first talking to the doctor who
prescribed it. If you and your doctor decide to discontinue or switch your
schizophrenia medication, your doctor may want you to gradually take less
medicine under his or her supervision.

But What if I Keep Forgetting My Medication?
This is a very common problem. Here are some ideas to help you remember to take
your medicine regularly.1
- Take your medication at the same time every day
- Use medication reminder calendars
or pillboxes labeled with the days of the week to help you remember to take
your medications
- Program clocks or watches to beep when you need to take a pill
- Make taking your medicine part of your regular routine
The Impact of Schizophrenia
The information on this Web site should not take the place of talking with your
doctor or health care professional about how to manage and treat schizophrenia.
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 doctor can decide if SEROQUEL XR is right for you.
This is not a complete summary of safety information. Please discuss the full
Prescribing Information with your health care provider.
SEROQUEL XR is a once daily tablet approved to treat 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 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 to treat depression.
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
-
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 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. During treatment, tell your doctor if you feel
dizzy or lightheaded upon standing. Suicidal thoughts or actions may occur in
schizophrenia; 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
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Common side effects: The most common side effects are dry mouth, constipation,
upset stomach, sedation, drowsiness, dizziness, and a sudden drop in blood
pressure upon standing
Talk to your doctor about prescription SEROQUEL XR.
Click here to see
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.