SEROQUEL XR® (quetiapine fumarate)
AstraZeneca

Types of Health Care Providers

Page Highlights

  • The right doctor can help you find a treatment that may be right for you
  • Your doctor should have a lot of experience helping people who have schizophrenia
  • A psychiatrist is a kind of doctor who specializes in mental illnesses and can prescribe medicine

Finding the Right Help

The right doctor can help you find a treatment that may be right for you. But remember, getting treatment for schizophrenia is not a “once and done” thing. You will need to see a doctor for a long period of time. When you like your doctor, it may make communication easier and help you stick to your treatment plan.

The right doctor can help you find a treatment that may be right for you.

There are several different types of health care providers who you might see. Be sure your provider has a lot of experience helping people who have schizophrenia.

Psychiatrists1

  • Are Medical Doctors (M.D.) or Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.) who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses
  • Can seek further training to specialize in certain areas of psychiatry, such as geriatric or addiction psychiatry
  • Can prescribe medicines

Clinical Psychologists or Counseling Psychologists

  • Usually hold an advanced health care professional degree. A psychologist with a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) generally requires 5 to 7 years of graduate study and may include at least a one-year internship2
  • Are trained in psychology, the branch of science that deals with the mind, mental processes, and behaviors1
  • Provide psychotherapy for a range of issues from marriage problems to personality disorders1
  • Clinical psychologists usually work in counseling centers, independent or group practices, hospitals, or clinics2; counseling psychologists work in settings like hospitals, university counseling centers, and individual or group practices2
  • Are not medical doctors, but are authorized to prescribe medicine in a small number of states2

Clinical Social Workers1

  • Most have a Master’s degree in social work (MSW), but training and education vary widely. To provide mental health services, they must have advanced training and be licensed by their states
  • Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) may provide therapy in private practice, psychiatric facilities, hospitals, and community agencies
  • Cannot prescribe medicines or order medical tests

Psychiatric Nurses/Advanced Practice Registered Nurses1

  • Psychiatric nurses are licensed registered nurses (RN) who have extra training in mental health and may have an Associate’s degree or a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree
  • Under the supervision of medical doctors, psychiatric nurses may offer mental health assessments and psychotherapy, and can provide medicine management assistance
  • Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) in psychiatry have at least a Master’s degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing
  • Can diagnose and treat mental illnesses, and in many states, APRNs are authorized to prescribe medicines. May also be qualified to practice independently, without the supervision of a doctor

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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.

Important Safety Information About SEROQUEL XR

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
  • Common side effects: The most common side effects are drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, upset stomach, dizziness, a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, weight gain, increased hunger, tiredness, difficulty speaking, and stuffy nose.

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.

 

REFERENCES:

  1. Types of mental health providers. Mayo Clinic Web site. Available at https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mental-health/MH00074. Accessed July 31, 2008.
  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Psychologists.

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