AstraZeneca, one of the producers of the anti-psychotic drug Seroquel, recently agreed to pay a $520 million fine after admitting that they illegally marketed this drug. This makes them the fourth big drug company in the last three years to admit to and pay for committing a federal crime.
From the AstraZeneca site: the most common side effects in adults are drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, increased appetite, upset stomach, weight gain, fatigue, disturbance in speech and language, and stuffy nose.
The side effect warnings continue: Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) treated with this type of medicine are at an increased risk of death, compared to placebo (sugar pill). Seroquel XR is not approved for treating these patients.
If this drug is not approved can someone please, please tell me why it’s being prescribed? My heart goes out to those who have put their lives into the hands of others who aren’t aware of the risks they are taking with innocent lives.
For further information on Seroquel I would highly recommend an article published on April 27, 2010 by the U.S. Department of Justice here: Seroquel Manufacturer Pays.
Be healthy, be informed and, most of all, be positive. Your thoughts can most certainly affect your body’s reaction to just about anything.
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This is beyond my understanding. How can the FDA allow this? Where is our protection??? Thank you for sharing this information Rhonda.
~Chaz
Thanks for a terrific article. I’m a 1st year med student and articles like this are what I’m most interested in, so thanks again!
Great, I never knew this, thanks.
This is the first article of yours that I have read. This really breaks my heart… so much so that I will have to write to you again later. We buried my father-in law 13 months ago. This was one of the meds he was taking. I always knew something was wrong but no don’t know what to do – if anything. Thank you for informing the public about this kind of abuse in our system.
This is a very thought-provoking post that is sure to help many people.
You covered a lot of good valuable information with this article. Keep it up Rhonda.
This is a great article. Thank you Rhonda for informing us. I think you are a great writer.
Wow! Who knew that this was going on behind closed doors? You are a great writer and I am a new fan. Thank you Rhonda!
Someone tell me how this can keep happening? Thank you for the enlightening article Rhonda. Keep up the great work!
Yes, and the beat just goes on and on. The most popular birth control is now the dangerous Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella (different names, but the pain is the same – Heart Attack, Stroke, Pulmonary Embolism, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Gallbladder Disease).
Bankers? Oil Drilling Companies? How ’bout we add Prescription Drug Companies to the Corporate Wanted Posters?
–Hi Michael,
I have to agree with you! Have you read book, “Confessions of a Prescription Drug Pusher” – by Gwen Olsen. It’s wonderful. Love your website Michael.
I have been taking Seroquel XR for six or seven years and re-evaluating my medications after having major side effects from Buproprion (Generic of Wellbutrin) like memory loss as in couldn’t remember what I just posted at work down to not being able to remember that I’d just washed or rinsed my body when taking a bath. One blogger said she called it her “stupid pill”, another said she couldn’t remember how to spell a simple everyday word. I switched from that to a low dose of Effexor (generic) and am almost off of it with no problems. I’ve been having days since I began Seroquel of backwards speech, but it has really gotten so bad that I researched Seroquel’s side effects and guess what! “Disturbance in speech and language problems” popped up! It’s an everyday thing and have gone from telling my husband I needed to make a “fuckle of cone falls” (a couple of phone calls) and I don’t cuss, to I told him I had laid his Aleve on the side of the commode….I Meant ON THE EDGE OF THE STOVE! Needless to say, I’ve got some real problems going on! Anyone else have what I tried to google as “dyslexic speech” and came up empty until I researched Seroquel side effects?
Hi Sheila,
Your story could be mine! I thought I was headed for the looney bin after taking Seroquel! Learning about the side effects and sharing Rhonda’s article with my doctor probably saved my life!
The other thing that save my life – I have been taking the Maxglx supplement that Rhonda recommends since May 4th. I take 3 capsules in the morning and my husband takes the other 3. I started feeling better the first day and my husband’s arthritis is much better. We both are sleeping better. I think you should consider it. We feel like it’s the best $69 we’ve ever spent.
Hey Sheila and Maggie,
I’m sure glad you ladies shared your stories. I guess there really must be something to this Seroquel because you’re describing exactly the same symptoms my wife complained of before we were able to convince her doctor to switch medications. She seems to be doing a little better but I’m going to look into that supplement you mentioned Maggie.
Have you had ANY side effects from taking it? What’s in it? I think that’s the biggest issue with most of these drugs doctors are prescribing – the ingredients aren’t safe or tested.
Hi Jon,
I’m sure sorry about your wife. I hope she’s doing better now.
On the MaxGXL, I can honestly say that the only ‘side effect’ I’ve had is that I have more energy than I’ve had in 30 years! I’m sleeping good and I feel alert all day long. I don’t even need my afternoon nap much anymore. It like the fountain of youth in a way… I keep feeling younger every day!
This debate on Seroquel is very interesting. I have to agree with everyone’s thoughts here. I only took Seroquel for a few days. I knew right away that it wasn’t going to work for me. Thank you Rhonda for sharing this information.
The more I read about Seroquel the more I feel confirmed! Thank you – everyone – who has written in here. This is really scary to read that others have had the same experiences as I’ve had.