Seroquel
Seroquel is an antipsychotic medication that is supposed to alleviate the mania associated with chizophrenia and bipolar disorder diseases. This is due to its highly sedating properties. Since its introduction onto the market, physicians have also prescribed Seroquel for "off-label" uses, such as to treat alcoholism, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), hallucinations (especially in those with Parkinson's disease), and sleep disorders.
AstraZeneca states that the main side effect of Seroquel is sedation; yet other, more serious, side effects have been noted by users around the globe.
These side effects include, but are not limited to:
- neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a potentially deadly neurological disorder usually caused by a reaction to antipsychotic drugs such as Seroquel)
- Tardive dyskinesia (a neurological disorder also associated with the use of antipsychotics like Seroquel)
- Diabetes development
- Cataracts
- Pancreatitis.
For victims already struggling to control their psychoses, these unwelcome side effects of Seroquel are a cruel blow.
However, Seroquel, which is available in tablet form, has begun to hit the news as reports of its potential defectiveness have surfaced. (One St. Louis, Missouri, case may be worth $750,000 for the victim.) Unhappy Seroquel users and their doctors have begun to raise concerns about the drug's addictive nature and unwelcome (and unrevealed) side effects; truly, Seroquel's dosage (anywhere from 300-1000 mg daily) needs to be "upped" at a fast rate. This concerns many patients and their families, who wonder whether the medication is worth the money.
Though Seroquel is still available legally, our law firm is concerned that it may in fact be a defective drug that was pushed to market before enough studies were completed. (This, unfortunately, often happens when drug manufacturers and marketers are chomping at the bit to "one up" competitors by offering the public an alternative to a popular, lucrative medication.)
Therefore, we want to hear from you if you or someone you know has been negatively affected after using the drug Seroquel. You're under no obligation, and the phone call is free. Call our office today to speak with one of our legal representatives and learn why you don't have to take your victimization lying down.
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Seroquel In The News
The anti-psychotic drug Seroquel hit the news in May 2006 when a 10-count, more than $750,000 lawsuit was filed against AstraZeneca, the developer of the drug. In the case, the claimant alleged that Seroquel caused her to develop pancreatitis, a side effect her attorney says she was unaware she might develop.
Seroquel, prescribed to combat the symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is often used "off label" by doctors to combat other illnesses. Those "off label" medical diseases and disorders include alcoholism, anxiety disorders, Parkinson's disease, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) among others.
According to its official warnings, Seroquel has a long list of potential side effects, though pancreatitis is not listed among them. The side effects noted are:
- Sedation (It's sometimes used to treat insomnia because it causes sedation more so than other antipsychotics.)
- Agitation
- Memory problems
- Headache
- Significant weight gain
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a potentially deadly neurological disorder usually caused by a reaction antipsychotic drugs such as Seroquel)
- Tardive dyskinesia (a neurological disorder also associated with the use of antipsychotics like Seroquel)
Thus, the $750,000 claim questions whether Seroquel, on the market since 1997, did not disclose enough warnings about its side effects concerning the kidney, pancreas, or liver. The lawsuit also suggests that AstraZeneca did not properly test Seroquel before introducing it to the public, a common practice among some pharmaceutical companies quick to release a drug before it has been fully studied for effectiveness and long-term results.
The St. Louis case is currently in an Illinois court, assigned to Chief District Judge G. Patrick Murphy. No settlement at this time has been reached.
However, the St. Louis lawsuit alleging Seroquel's association with pancreatitis has caused other Seroquel patients and their doctors to come forward. No longer afraid to battle the "big guys", consumers everywhere who have experienced unexpected side effects from Seroquel usage are contacting attorneys and consumer advocacy groups as well as media outlets such as magazines and newspapers. In fact, it seems likely that over the next few years, as word of Seroquel's possible defective nature spreads, more and more individuals will seek restitution from AstraZeneca on behalf of themselves or loved ones.
If you or someone you know has experienced adverse effects after taking Seroquel, please consult our dedicated Seroquel lawyers. We are dedicated to representing innocent victims in pharmaceutical cases and you'll be under no obligation to pay us until we win restitution on your behalf. Contact us today. 8/11
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There are 32 comments related to:
Defective Drugs: News, Statistics and Legal Guide
robertsays: 2011-11-15 07:12:12
I am currently a resident at the SNU/VAMC in Sheridan WY. My doctor prescribed me Seroquel because I hate sleeping. I have nightmares (bad ones). Now I sleep probably four to five hours a night. He took away the prazosin so the nightmares are back, but I do get some sleep. To make matters worse, I am now diabetic. I test myself,( well, the nurses do), right before bedtime. I test around 150-165, even on 1000 mg of Metformin twice a day, and 10 mg of Glipizide. I don't eat or drink anything except water until the next morning. I get checked again when I get up in the morning, and it usually jumps 100-150 points. WTF, is this stuff supposed to help me, or kill me??
candice whittakersays: 2011-10-19 18:14:04
Fiance has been having siezures and in and out of hospitals that did not acknowledge the fact he was on seroquil and ignore all side effects
Michael Psays: 2011-09-05 13:29:00
I was prescribed seroquel a little over a year ago for insomnia as all other treatments failed. I will say Seroquel works excellent as a sleep aid but the past few months I have felt my physical health deteriorating rapidly. Family and friends are noticing that I now exhibit some slight uncontrollable physical body movements/clenching of hands and muscles that I myself was unaware of. Socially I have a difficult time leaving the house which was never an issue I had before. I have tried several times stopping the drug to try and sleep on my own and also tried numerous other meds for sleep. All have failed and I always have to start seroquel again to sleep. I have severe anxiety and panic attacks which my dr. stated that the seroquel was very important to ease the symptoms plus get a full nights rest which is crucial in dealing with anxiety and depression. I'm 33 yrs old and had the worst possible thing happen to me one day when I was out shopping in downtown Boston. I was walking up the street and I felt as though all of a sudden that I was going to pass out. I knew something was seriously wrong and in attempt to keep from falling I grabbed a railing going to the subway. I heard a voice say "whoa, whoa, look, he's..... That was all I heard until the next thing you know I was in the back of an ambulance and being asked if I knew what happened etc. Two paramedics were having their lunch in the ambulance right next to the subway stairs I almost went down. They informed me that I was on the brink of falling down the stairs when one of the paramedics jumped out and stopped me from falling. Upon laying me down on the sidewalk (unconcious) I went into a full seizure!!! I have NO history of seizures and was in disbelief when they told me. Tests confirmed this at the ER at Mass General Hospital. I continue taking it and try reducing my prescribed dose of 100mg at bedtime and always end up back to 100mg. I know this is a relatively low dose when it comes to this drug. I am extremely worried about the consequences of continuing taking Seroquel just as a sleep aid as Diabetes, elevated cholesteral, eye problems are all in my family genes. I need help and want some definative answers from the manufacturer about the seizure risk. If those two Boston paramedics were not sitting right there I would have not only had a severe seizure, I was seconds from going head first down 50 feet of cement stairs. I am lucky. Most likely would have lost my life if that happened. I want some answers fast! Tired of these pharma companys just wanting to make money! Please help! Thanks, Michael P
zac e.says: 2011-08-10 14:45:16
seroquel caused pancreatitis numerous times and now i have it forever;chronic.... it also made me gain almost 100 pounds and now have terrible stretch marks.... and high triglycerides and cholesteral... i was not warned about any of this.
stephen machnickisays: 2011-08-02 19:03:36
ive been taking 300mg before bed since 2006 got off it jan 2011 im back on it cause i cant sleep ive had a cateract been hospitalized several times panceatitus accute chronic had a sist removed possibly from drinking to much been sober since 5-2-11 is there any thing else to help sleeping tried lbrium-pm sleep aid-ambian nothing else works let me know if i have any recourse agianst seraquel thanks steve
Caroline Littlesays: 2011-07-25 13:47:56
I have been taking Seroquel for just about 3 years now, every night. I am now unable to go to sleep without it. I can go several hours without sleep now and before taking it I could sleep easily by myself. I am taking it for bipolar mood disorder, but am concerned that it is addictive since I am scared to death to not take it for fear of not being able to sleep on my own again. I also have diabetes and an enlarged liver and am scared about the risk of pancreatic disease. Do I have a potential suit?
Cheri Sheltonsays: 2011-06-03 09:04:13
I Have had my world turned into a living true hell. Within a oneandhalf year period,I developed masses in my breasts(BOTH) And Now I have cancer... also every time I stand up to fast, I pass completely out cold... I promise the day I die,due to greed of another.. I will be seeing Serequel in court I Promice.. The short term momeryloss that I haveis makeing it impossible for me to hardly function,
knilssonsays: 2011-05-23 05:45:55
i was prescribed serequel for a mental health problem caused by a stop smoking drug and stress which led to not sleeping, while taking this serequel i had a micro sleep and had a car accident and i did not even know i had the accident ,, i was charged with neg driving and not stopping at an accident,, i have been experiencing memory loss and hav since weaned my self off the drug ,while using this medication i would wake up as if i had been drinking alcohol i was constantly drowsy and being a single mum of 4 children one of whom which is down syndrome,is not the usual way a mother should b especially when your children are dependant on u. i still experience short term memory loss and would never trust a doctor again regarding this medication it has caused me nothinbg but heart ache and finacial frustration.
richard portersays: 2011-05-01 15:51:53
Tardive dyskinesia, pancreatitis, memory problems, agitation, GERD, horrible pain, body tremors, never permit this drug to be given to anyone.
shaun kratzersays: 2011-04-07 00:21:42
this drug will sedate you to death,i took it for one week and had to stop.the efffects are horrible.be careful and be demanding to your doctor listening to your body is a true warning to tell doctors they are wrong about the treatment.