(BPT) – When could feeling sad mean something more? Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), also known as clinical depression, is a common but serious mood disorder that can affect how you feel, think and handle everyday activities.1 MDD is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States, with an estimated 16.1 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States experiencing at least one major depressive episode in the past year.2 If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with MDD, talk to your doctor about what treatment options are right for you and consider using the Five ‘S’ Plan below that could help manage the condition.
Five ‘S’ Plan to Managing Major Depressive Disorder
- Share Your Story – Talking about your experience with MDD can feel therapeutic. Sharing your experience with trusted friends, family members and local or online support groups is a constructive way to help you to build a sense of community. If you feel nervous about sharing your story publicly, writing in a journal can provide a similar beneficial effect.
- Seek Support – Finding a doctor or therapist you trust with whom you can partner to reach your treatment goals is important for managing MDD. A doctor discussion guide can help you to get the most out of discussions with your healthcare provider by providing important questions that help your doctor to determine the best treatment option for you.
- Save on your medicine – If you are prescribed a medicine and need help paying for it, be sure to check out savings resources that may be available to you. One medicine that your doctor may prescribe to help manage your condition is SEROQUEL XR® (quetiapine fumarate) extended-release tablets. With the SEROQUEL XR Savings Card, eligible commercially insured patients will pay as little as $3 per month, making their out-of-pocket cost less than the cost of a generic in the class.3 Simply print or download the card and take it to the pharmacy when you fill your prescription. Terms and conditions apply. Learn more about the Savings Card program at seroquelxrcoupon.com.
- Show Positive Results – Adjusting to a new treatment plan can take time. It’s important to keep track of your medication(s), daily mood and lifestyle factors like sleep, physical activity and how much food you eat. Use a mood tracking journal to keep up with your symptoms and share your progress with your healthcare provider.
- Say “I’m Ok” – Stop the stigma surrounding mental health issues and show your support for others experiencing the condition by sharing your success story.
If you have been prescribed SEROQUEL XR as an add-on treatment for MDD and you want to ensure that you receive the brand name version of the medicine, talk with your healthcare provider about what treatment option is best for you.
SEROQUEL XR is an extended-release tablet, which means medicine is delivered around the clock so you take it just once a day. SEROQUEL XR showed positive effects in some patients as early as week one. In two six-week major depressive disorder studies when used as add-on with an antidepressant, SEROQUEL XR started to improve overall symptom scores of depression as early as week 1 and continued to improve throughout the studies.*
*SEROQUEL XR 300 mg/day plus antidepressant vs placebo plus antidepressant.
Important Safety Information About SEROQUEL XR® (quetiapine fumarate)
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. Patients, families, and caregivers should pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed. These symptoms should be reported immediately to the doctor. SEROQUEL XR is not approved for children under the age of 10 years.
- Do not take SEROQUEL XR if you are allergic to quetiapine fumarate or any of the ingredients in SEROQUEL XR
- Stroke that can lead to death can happen in elderly people with dementia who take medicines like SEROQUEL XR
- Stop SEROQUEL XR and call your doctor right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms: high fever; excessive sweating; stiff muscles; confusion; changes in pulse, heart rate, and blood pressure. These may be symptoms of a rare, but very serious and potentially fatal, side effect called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
- 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, your doctor should check your blood sugar before you start taking SEROQUEL XR and also during therapy. 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 triglycerides and in LDL (bad) cholesterol and decreases in HDL (good) cholesterol have been reported with SEROQUEL XR. Your doctor should check your cholesterol levels before you start SEROQUEL XR and during therapy
- Weight gain has been reported with SEROQUEL XR. Your doctor should check your weight regularly
- Tell your doctor about any movements you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts, as they may be signs of a serious condition called tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD may not go away, even if you stop taking SEROQUEL XR. TD may also start after you stop taking SEROQUEL XR
- Other risks include feeling dizzy or lightheaded upon standing, falls (which may cause serious injuries), decreases in white blood cells (which can be fatal), or trouble swallowing. Tell your doctor if you experience any of these
- Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about all prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking. Also tell your doctor if you have or have had low white blood cell count, seizures, abnormal thyroid tests, high prolactin levels, heart or liver problems, or cataracts. An eye exam for cataracts is recommended at the beginning of treatment and every 6 months thereafter
- 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 becoming overheated or dehydrated while taking SEROQUEL XR. Do not drink alcohol while taking SEROQUEL XR
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Avoid breast-feeding while taking SEROQUEL XR
- The most common side effects are drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, increased appetite, upset stomach, weight gain, fatigue, disturbance in speech and language, and stuffy nose
- Do not stop taking SEROQUEL XR without talking to your doctor. Stopping SEROQUEL XR suddenly may cause side effects
This is not a complete summary of safety information. Please discuss the full Prescribing Information with your health care provider.
Visit www.SeroquelXRPI.com for Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, including Boxed WARNINGS.
Visit www.seroquelxr.com to get updates or call 1-800-236-9933 for more information.
References
1. Depression. The National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed February 15, 2017.
2. Major Depression Among Adults. The National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed February 15, 2017.
3. Fingertip Formulary. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Wilmington, DE. January 24, 2017.
