Seroquel Lawsuit

A Brief Guide to Filing a Seroquel Lawsuit:

What is Seroquel?

Seroquel (brand name for Quetiapine) is used to treat the symptoms associated with schizophrenia (mental illness that promotes disturbed thinking, displays of strong emotions and loss of interest in life). Seroquel may also be used alone or with other medications to prevent or treat manic episodes. Additionally, Seroquel’s extended-release tablet may be administered to treat depression. The drug belongs to a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics; it is effective by altering the activity of certain substances in the brain.

Seroquel Side Effects:

Seroquel side effects may take many forms. Please talk to your doctor if any of the following Seroquel side effects are severe or persistent:

• Common Seroquel side effects include: dizziness; drowsiness; weakness; dry mouth; indigestion; stomach pain; excessive weight gain; stuffy nose; headache; irritability; loss of coordination; unusual dreams; missed menstrual cycles; breast enlargement in males; difficulty concentrating; linguistic problems; decreased sexual ability or desire.
Some Seroquel side effects may be more serious. If you experience the following Seroquel side effects of those promulgated on the drug’s IMPORTANT WARNING SECTION, please contact your doctor immediately:

• Serious Seroquel side effects include: seizures; changes in vision; uncontrollable movements of the legs, tongue, face, lips or arms; painful erection; fever; muscle stiffness; fainting; excessive sweating; irregular heartbeat; hives; rash; blisters; tightening of the neck; difficulty breathing.

Seroquel side effects may carry other symptoms; please contact your doctor if you notice any adverse reactions while using Seroquel.

In addition to these Seroquel side effects, the United States Food and Drug Administration warned against increased risk of Suicidality (suicidal behavior) with Seroquel use. The bulk of Seroquel lawsuits are filed on behalf of those who have committed suicide while on Seroquel.

Seroquel FDA Regulations:

The United States Food and Drug Administration and Seroquel’s manufacturer (AstraZeneca) notified healthcare professionals to the revised Warning section to better describe the increased risk of diabetes and hyperglycemia in patients using the drug. The United States Food and Drug Administration has requested all manufacturers of atypical antipsychotic medications to add this warning statement to their respective labels.

Seroquel Lawsuits:

Approved for treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, the prescription medication Seroquel has been the source of many different Seroquel lawsuits. Currently no Seroquel lawsuit seeking compensation for the aforementioned Seroquel side effects has been successfully argued in the court of law. That being said, a number of these Seroquel lawsuits may have been settled out of court.

The first prominent Seroquel lawsuit was filed by the United States Justice Department. This Seroquel lawsuit did not concern Seroquel side effects, but instead deceptive marketing practices deployed by the drug’s manufacturer. This Seroquel lawsuit found that AstroZeneca (Seroquel ‘s manufacturer) promoted and marketed the drug for the treatment of conditions that were not approved by the FDA. Ultimately the Seroquel lawsuit ended in a $220 settlement in favor of the government.

This particular Seroquel settlement was designed to provide compensation for deceptive marketing and false claims submitted to state Medicaid and Medicare programs regarding such prescriptions. In March 2011, the company announced that another $68.5 million was to be paid to various states concerning fraudulent marketing practices.

Seroquel lawsuits concerning side effects began coming to trial in 2010. Roughly 28,700 people filed a Seroquel lawsuit for diabetes or weight gain. These Seroquel lawsuits stated that the manufacturer failed to provide sufficient warning of adverse reactions.

In March 2010, the first private case seeking a Seroquel settlement to ended in failure. This case concerned diabetes Seroquel side effects. Lawyers representing AstroZeneca successfully argued that the plaintiff's Seroquel lawsuit was invalid because there was no clear scientific link between the drug and the development of diabetes. Furthermore, they argued that no Seroquel settlement should be paid because the plaintiff's unhealthy lifestyle was responsible for the development of diabetes.

By August 2010, it was reported that AstroZeneca had paid $198 million in settlements to resolve 17,500 Seroquel lawsuits. By the middle of 2011, it was reported that nearly every Seroquel lawsuit had been resolved with an out-of-court settlement. At that time, it was reported that 250 claims regarding Seroquel side effects had yet to be resolved. It is unknown if these claims for a Seroquel settlement have been resolved subsequently.

Given the out-of-court success experienced by former Seroquel users, it is worth exploring this option if you or a loved one has been injured as a result of Seroquel use. If this is the case, you must contact an attorney who is experienced in handling drugs or personal injury matters. These legal professionals are able to assess your case and evaluate the likelihood of securing a settlement.

Sources:

1.United States National Library of Medicine “Quetiapine” retrieved from:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001030/

2. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm089126.pdf

3.http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/

SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm155495.htm