Decisions

New evidence reveals that Seroquel manufacturer AstraZeneca may have known over ten years ago that the drug caused diabetes and weight gain.

According to a story in the New York Times, 102 previously sealed documents were made public earlier this year in a lawsuit brought by drug users against the manufacturer.

The story, by the Times writer Duff Wilson, quotes AstraZeneca publications manager John Tumas making the following statement, “…how do we face the outside world when they begin to criticize us for suppressing data.”

Seroquel (generically known as Quetiapine) is an antipsychotic drug used to treat acute manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. It is also used to treat schizophrenia. Seroquel has been linked to an increased risk of diabetes and blood sugar disorders including hyperglycemia.

Hyperglycemia can lead to cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, coma, and even death. Diabetes mellitus can cause erectile dysfunction, blindness, and gangrene. Recent studies have shown that people taking Seroquel are 3.4 times more likely to develop diabetes than patients taking other medications.

Other side effects of Seroquel include neuroleptic malignant syndrome (which is characterized by fever and muscle rigidity) and uncontrollable movements.

Seroquel, an antipsychotic medication manufactured by AstraZeneca, is an oral drug that manages symptoms of bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia including delusions, hallucinations, social withdrawal, lack of energy, apathy, thought disorder, and inability to express emotion.

Zyprexa, also an atypical anti-psychotic, was the subject of numerous lawsuits in recent years by users claiming the maker failed to disclose that the drug caused diabetes.

Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Zyprexa, has paid out hundreds of millions dollars to compensate those claimants.

Currently, similar suits against AstraZeneca have failed to achieve similar success. Though no Seroquel cases have yet made it to trial, the manufacturer has been successful on several occasions in obtaining dismissals of cases headed for trial.

However, with the disclosures from the sealed documents, it is possible that future trials my fare better for the Seroquel users. AstraZenaca faces lawsuits from more than 15,000 plaintiffs who allege they suffered diabetes from Seroquel. Many of these cases were filed in Delaware, where the drug was developed and where AstraZenaca has its headquarters.

Those lawyers representing the Seroquel users claim that AstraZeneca knew about the potential for diabetes and failed to disclose it and, therefore, compensation should be awarded to those who got diabetes from the drug.

If you are using Seroquel please do so advisedly by reading the warning labels and discussing their symptoms and side-effects with your treating physician.

If you experience any of the following symptoms you should seek medical attention immediately because they could be signs of more serious side effects of Seroquel:

* fever
* sweating
* severe muscle stiffness
* confusion
* fast or irregular heartbeats

Conclusion

There are many risk factors for diabetes such as age, obesity, and ethnicity. However, the use of atypical anti-psychotic medicine appears to be one of them. Given the history of related medication Zyprexa, it would behoove anyone considering Seroquel to proceed with caution.

About the Author:
Rex Bush has represented Seroquel users since 2005 and successfully represented many Zyprexa users in claims against Lilly.For information on personal injury issues visit his Utah injury attorney website: http://www.utah-personal-injury-attorney.com.

Keyword tags: seroquel,diabetes