Agitation Action Plan

PREPARE FOR FUTURE AGITATION EPISODES

Agitation can be a part of living with bipolar disorderschizophrenia. An episode could happen at any time, but a little planning may help make it a bit more bearable.

Download your Agitation Action Plan

The Agitation Action Plan can help you prepare for a potential agitation episode. It can help you better understand what to look out for and how best to cope. It may be helpful to have a close family member or caregiver with you when you are filling it out. Everyone's experience is different and you might not experience all the symptoms listed below.

The Agitation Action Plan can help you prepare for a potential agitation episode. It can help you and your loved one better understand what to look out for and how best to cope. Discussing this together can help you prepare for potential future episodes. Everyone's experience is different and you might not experience all of the symptoms listed below.

Here’s how you can start preparing:

1.NOTICE THE SIGNS OF AGITATION COMING ON

Here is a list of some common symptoms that may indicate an agitation episode:

Restlessness

Uneasiness

Nervousness

Feeling tense

Inability to sit still

Irritability

Fidgeting

Feeling wound up

Feeling overexcited

Feeling short-tempered

Hostility

Feeling uncooperative

Aggressiveness

Violence

TIP: Different symptoms can happen at different times. Being able to quickly identify these symptoms is an important step in managing agitation.

2.FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH POSSIBLE TRIGGERS

Some specific actions and events could spark symptoms. Here are some potential triggers that may lead to an agitation episode:

Missed medication or specific doses

Dispute with another individual

An upsetting incident
(at home, work, a store, etc.)

Stress

Poor sleep

TIP: Recognizing triggers as they are happening may help you, or your loved one, to better manage those actions or events, when possible.

3.TRY SHIFTING FOCUS ELSEWHERE

Here are some activities that could help to reduce agitation during an episode:

Reading

Writing in a journal

Meditating

Exercising

Speaking to friends or family

Listening to music

Painting, sculpting, or another creative activity

TIP: If attempted early enough, these activities may help. If symptoms don't improve, it may be time to seek medical attention.

4.ALLOW FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO HELP

It's normal for your friends and caregivers to feel helpless watching you a loved one experience agitation related to bipolar disorderschizophrenia, but there may be some ways to feel supported by people who care.

Here are some actions that might help someone experiencing agitation feel supported:

Being listened to

Being left alone or given space to cool off

Being taken to seek medical attention

Speaking to the doctor on their behalf

TIP: This tip is for the family and friends who are often present during an episode. Watching a loved one experience agitation associated with bipolar disorderschizophrenia can leave you feeling a range of emotions, including worry, frustration, and even helplessness. While their actions or behavior may be negative (such as yelling or cursing), if you respond in the same manner, it may make the situation worse and escalate your loved one’s agitation.

Click hereClick here to learn more tips for supporting your loved one through agitation episodes.

5.AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, TRY TO STAY SAFE

As agitation symptoms worsen, it's important to avoid situations that could potentially be dangerous to yourself, your loved one(s), or others.

Here are a few safety measures to keep in mind during an agitation episode:

Being given space to cool off

Putting away sharp objects

Hiding keys to prevent from leaving

Being taken to seek medical attention

Calling 9-1-1

IMPORTANT: If you have, or your loved one, has suicidal thoughts, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 9-8-8, or dial 9-1-1, or go to the emergency room immediately.

To learn more about agitation related to bipolar disorderschizophrenia, speak with a healthcare provider

This content is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding agitation associated with bipolar disorderschizophrenia.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

IGALMI can cause serious side effects, including:

Decreased blood pressure, low blood pressure upon standing, and slower than normal heart rate, which may be more likely in patients with low blood volume, diabetes, chronic high blood pressure, and older patients. IGALMI is taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider who will monitor your vital signs (like blood pressure and heart rate) and alertness after you take IGALMI to prevent you from falling or fainting. Make sure you are adequately hydrated and sit or lie down after taking IGALMI. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint.

WHAT IS IGALMI?

IGALMI™ (dexmedetomidine) sublingual film is a prescription medicine that is placed under your tongue or behind your lower lip and is used for the acute treatment of agitation associated with bipolar disorder I or IIschizophrenia in adults. The safety and effectiveness of IGALMI has not been studied beyond 24 hours from the first dose. It is not known if IGALMI is safe and effective in children.

Heart rhythm changes (QT interval prolongation). You should not take IGALMI if you have an abnormal heart rhythm, a history of an irregular heartbeat, slow heart rate, low potassium, low magnesium, and if you are taking other drugs that affect your heart rhythm. Taking IGALMI if you have a history of abnormal heart rhythm can increase the risk of torsades de pointes and sudden death. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you feel faint or have heart palpitations.
Sleepiness/drowsiness. Do not do activities requiring mental alertness, such as driving or operating hazardous machinery, for at least 8 hours after taking IGALMI.
Withdrawal reactions, tolerance, and decreased response/efficacy. IGALMI was not studied for longer than 24 hours after the first dose. Physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, agitation), and decreased response to IGALMI may occur if IGALMI is used longer than 24 hours.

The most common side effects of IGALMI in clinical studies were sleepiness or drowsiness, a prickling or tingling sensation or numbness of the mouth, dizziness, dry mouth, low blood pressure, and low blood pressure upon standing.

These are not all the possible side effects of IGALMI. Speak with your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects.

Tell your healthcare provider about your medical history, including if you suffer from any known heart problems, low potassium, low magnesium, low blood pressure, low heart rate, diabetes, high blood pressure, history of fainting, or liver impairment. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or take any medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take any drugs that lower your blood pressure, change your heart rate, or take anesthetics, sedatives, hypnotics, and opioids.

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. You can also contact BioXcel Therapeutics, Inc. at 1-833-201-1088 or medinfo@bioxceltherapeutics.com.

Please see full Prescribing Information.