Drug Warning: Seroquel

Generic name: quetiapine fumarate (category of pharmaceuticals known as atypical antipsychotics)

Manufactured and marketed by: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP

Purpose: Prescribed for the treatment of symptoms associated with schizophrenia and Bipolar I disorder.

Side Effects Reported

  • Common side effects of Seroquel may include headache, agitation, dry mouth, pain, vomiting, constipation, weight gain, and upset stomach.
  • The class of atypical antipsychotics in general, including Seroquel, may be linked to serious health problems including, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), tardive dyskinesia (TD), stroke, diabetes, and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).

Industry Report

The FDA has added a black box warning to the labeling of atypical antipsychotics, including Seroquel, responding to to reports that older patients treated for dementia with atypical antipsychotics had an increased risk of death when compared to patients in a placebo control group. The majority of the deaths appear to have been caused by heart related ailments such as heart disease and infections like pneumonia.

In 2003, the FDA asked manufacturers of all atypical antipsychotic medications, including AstraZeneca, to include a warning statement alerting patients to the increased risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes for patients who are being treated with these drugs. Atypical antipsychotics in general have been linked to increasing the risk of obesity, high cholesterol, as well as diabetes.

Seeger Weiss is not currently pursuing lawsuits on this drug, but its drug warnings will remain on our radar.

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