Seroquel: An Antipsychotic Drug Associated with Weight Gain and Diabetes
Seroquel (quetiapine) is approved for use in the management of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Seroquel is made and marketed by AstraZeneca, and belongs to the family of drugs known as atypical antipsychotics.
Seroquel Marketed and Used for Non-Approved Uses
Seroquel also is used off-label (non-approved uses) for a variety of purposes, including dementia-related psychosis in the elderly, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcoholism, Tourette syndrome and for anxiety and sleep disorders. The drug also is used off-label with children for various mood disorders.
It is alleged that Astra Zeneca has illegally marketed the drug for off-label use.
Seroquel Is Linked to Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Injuries
Atypical antipsychotic drugs including Seroquel have been linked to incidences of increased weight gain and diabetes.
In 2004, AstraZeneca changed the Seroquel label to include a warning about the risk of diabetes and diabetes-related conditions such as ketoacidosis associated with Seroquel, and recommended that patients taking Seroquel undergo blood testing and monitoring for symptoms of hyperglycemia.
On November 16, 2006, the FDA issued a warning letter to AstraZeneca that certain of its promotional materials were false or misleading because it minimized the risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus. The letter also warned AstraZeneca for minimizing the risks of tardive dyskinesia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which are two other serious risks associated with the drug.
If you or a loved one has suffered from diabetes as a result of taking Seroquel, please contact Skikos, Crawford, Skikos, Joseph & Millican for a free consultation.
Seroquel Also Linked to Premature Death in Elderly Patients
Seroquel and other antipsychotic mediations also have been found to increase the risk of death in elderly patients.
In 2005, a black box warning was added to the Seroquel label warning of the increased risk of mortality in elderly patients and reminding prescribers and patients that Seroquel is not approved for elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis.
Skikos, Crawford, Skikos, Joseph & Millican LLP is currently representing patients who developed diabetes after using Seroquel. If you or a family member has developed diabetes as a result of using Seroquel, please contact our office for a free consultation.
