What is Seroquel?

Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate) is among a group of medications called "atypical antipsychotics" that produce a sedating or tranquilizing effect, decreased delusions, hallucinations and psychomotor agitation. Seroquel was approved by the FDA in 1997 for the treatment of adults with schizophrenia, a relatively rare condition that affects less than one percent of the population of the United Slates.

How Does Seroquel Work?

No one knows. But scientistics believe that Seroquel blocks dopamine, a chemical found in the brain. Too much or too little dopamine can be a bad thing. Excessive amounts is believed to cause abnormal ideations and behaviors and hallucinations.. First generation antipsychotics bind tightly to the receptor to produce a prolonged duration of effect but also increased side effects. Second generation antipsychotics - like Seroquel - are believed to bind more loosely producing fewer side effects.

Does Seroquel Cause Diabetes?

By July 2001, Seroquel's manufacturer, AsiraZeneca, had received at least 46 reports of diabetes mellitus in patients taking Seroquel, including reports in the medical literature, and including at least 21 cases of ketoacidosis or acidosis and 11 deaths. By the end of 2003, AstraZeneca had received at least 23 more. Most cases appeared within 6 months of taking Seroquel.

AstraZeneca could not have been surprised. The medical literature over the last 50 years demonstrated that antipsychotics had the potential to cause diabetes, diabetes-related injuries (e.g. severe weight gain, hyperglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis), pancreatitis, cardiovascular complications, and other severe adverse effects. There is no reason to think that Seroquel would be an different.

The Seroquel lawsuit, a class action lawsuit for discovery purposes, alleges that Seroquel’s manufacturer knew that Seroquel caused a high occurrence of diabetes, but failed to adequately warn doctors or Seroquel patients of the risk. Of interest on this point is the Japanese version of the FDA warning specifically informing doctors of the need to monitor Seroquel patients. The Japanese label also indicates that Seroquel is contraindicated for use in patients with diabetes or a history of diabetes. In other words, Seroquel's manufacturer felt comfortable providing doctors and Seroquel patients in the United States less information than Japanese Seroquel patients were afforded. Why? Well we know explict warning made doctors less likely to prescribe Seroquel.

Our Seroquel diabetes lawyers are investigating potential Seroquel lawsuits on behalf of victims and their families who suffered from diabetes as the result of the use of Seroquel. If you or a loved one have experienced a severe side effect from Seroquel, call one of our Seroquel class action lawyers at 1-800-553-6000 or click here for a free Internet consultation.