Seroquel

Seroquel is prescribed to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It has also been prescribed for treatment of depressive episodes in acute manic episodes and other conditions. This drug has been prescribed to children as young as 10. Seroquel was approved by the FDA in 1997 and is manufactured by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. This drug has been prescribed for off-label purposes not approved by the FDA such as sleep disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and more.

In 2004, the FDA and Seroquel’s manufacturer notified healthcare professionals of the revision to the “warnings” section of the drug label. This new warning described the increased risk of hyperglycemia, high blood pressure, and diabetes in patients taking Seroquel. In one study, it was seen that Seroquel increased the risk of developing type II diabetes by 50 percent.

Also, in elderly patients with dementia, the use of Seroquel was seen to increase the risk of death. Seroquel has been linked to neurological issues as well such as tardive dyskinesia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Injuries to the kidneys, liver, pancreas, seizures, heart disease and blindness have also been linked to Seroquel use.

Serious side effects may include:

• Very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors
• Feeling like you might pass out
• Jerky muscle movements that you cannot control, trouble swallowing, problems with speech
• Tremors, or restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, neck, arms, or legs
• Mask-like appearance of the face, trouble swallowing, problems with speech
• Blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights
• Increased thirst and urination, excessive hunger, fruity breath odor, weakness, nausea and vomiting
• Fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips

Less serious side effects may include:

• Dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling
• Dry mouth, sore throat
• Stomach pain, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, constipation
• Breast swelling or discharge
• Missed menstrual periods
• Increased appetite, weight gain