Seroquel Approved to Treat Manic and Depressive Episodes in Bipolar Disorder
Seroquel or quetiapine fumarate (manufactured by AstraZeneca) has received US FDA approval to treat both depressive and manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. The benefit of one medication that can treat both the depressive and manic symptoms is that patients can adhere to (comply with) the medication regimen more easily. On the other hand, patients’ symptoms may still require additional medications if Seroquel could not adequately manage the constellation of symptoms of someone suffering from bipolar disorder. Even depressed patients can sometimes be on multiple medications besides an antidepressant.
The approval was based on a study with over 1000 patients with bipolar disorder type I or II, comparing Seroquel at 300 mg or 600 mg to placebo. Based on the study, 300 mg once a day (or “QD” as your doctor will call it) is recommended by day 4 of treatment.
Side effects of Seroquel included dry mouth, sedation, somnolence, dizziness and constipation. Seroquel should not be used in patients with dementia-related psychosis and should be monitored very careful for risk of suicidal thinking or behavior in children or teens requiring Seroquel (these would be “off-label” or unapproved uses of the drug, which sometimes is used by some psychiatrists based on their clinical judgment). Source: Yahoo Press Release.
