Seroquel
Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate) won FDA approval in 1997 for the treatment of schizophrenia and acute mania in bipolar disorder. In October 2006, approval was given for the treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder. It is the only drug approved for this condition, as a single-agent treatment.
However, the February 2004 issue of Diabetes Care listed Seroquel as one of six antipsychotic drugs that tend to promote diabetes, obesity or high cholesterol. Seroquel also creates unwanted levels of sedation, hyperglycemia, pancreatitis and ketoacidosis.
Rampant off-label prescribing
In the 1990s, scientists developed “atypical” antipsychotics, such as Seroquel, to block dopamine and serotonin receptors.
Despite the reported side effects of Seroquel, doctors have indulged in widespread off-label prescribing of Seroquel for problems like autism, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcoholism, attention-deficit disorder, dementia, post-partum depression and sleep disorders.
Not so effective
Extensive research has found Seroquel to be no more effective than other antipsychotic medications at controlling patients’ symptoms of schizophrenia but avoiding or minimizing the side effects that many of them found irritating or embarrassing.
Those who may have been injured by the use of this drug should first visit their doctor, then contact an attorney to discuss filing a Seroquel lawsuit. Call the experienced team at Hissey Kientz by calling toll-free at (866) 275-4454, or by filling out a free online case evaluation to the right of this page.