Managing Bipolar Disorder

Most people with bipolar disorder see a doctor for treatment with medicines. Some see a psychologist or social worker for talk therapy in addition to taking medicine. Each person is different, and an individual treatment plan must be designed to meet your unique needs. You and your doctor can decide on the best plan for you.

Education
One of the most important things you can do to manage your bipolar disorder is to stay informed about the condition—by visiting Web sites like this one and taking advantage of the many tools and resources available to you. The more you know about bipolar disorder, the better you can partner with the healthcare professionals who help manage your care.

Medicine
Doctors believe that some medicines, including GEODON, help balance certain chemicals in the brain. This in turn can help treat the symptoms of acute manic or mixed episodes. And that can help you feel better.

Psychotherapy
Therapy can help you manage your illness in these ways:

It can help you learn the signs that an episode is coming on, so you can get treatment early
It can help you see the role stress plays in your illness and show you ways to lower stress and conflict in your life
It can help you understand why taking your medicine the right way can help you treat your illness
It can teach you how to replace negative thoughts and actions with positive ones

Therapy options include:

Individual—just the therapist and patient
Group—the therapist, patient, and others with similar illnesses
Family—the therapist, patient, and family members

NEXT: Bipolar Resources

Build a partnership that works

Talking with your doctor

Important Safety Information

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). GEODON is not approved for treating these patients.

You should not take GEODON if you have certain kinds of heart conditions or take certain medicines. GEODON may increase the risk of changes to your heart rhythm. It is important to talk to your doctor about this possible side effect. And be sure to call your doctor right away if you faint, pass out, or feel a change in your heartbeat.

Serious side effects can occur with any antipsychotic medicine, including GEODON. Tell your doctor right away if you experience a high fever, stiff muscles, shaking, confusion, sweating, or increased heart rate or blood pressure. These can be signs of a rare condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

Also tell your doctor if you experience abnormal or uncontrollable facial or body movements. These could be a sign of tardive dyskinesia (TD), which may become permanent.

Medicines like GEODON may raise blood sugar levels. There have been few reports of high blood sugar or diabetes in patients who take GEODON. It is not known if GEODON was the cause.

If you experience a rash, lightheadedness, or seizures while taking GEODON, tell your doctor.

The most common side effects for patients taking GEODON for bipolar mania include sleepiness, abnormal muscle movements (such as tremors, shuffling, and uncontrolled movement), dizziness, and restlessness.

The most common side effects for patients taking GEODON for schizophrenia include sleepiness, increased cough, and runny nose.

In short-term schizophrenia clinical trials, 10% of GEODON-treated patients experienced a weight gain of ≥7% of body weight vs. 4% for placebo.

Please see patient summary of information and full prescribing information.

Pfizer GZU00223A

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