FDA Approves Seroquel to Treat Adolescent Schizophrenia
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On Wednesday a Food and Drug Administration panel confirmed their approval of Seroquel, a drug they feel will effectively treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Created by AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), was deemed “acceptably safe” to treat schizophrenia in adolescents, ages 13 to 17, and bipolar disorder in children, ages 10 to 17, reported The Wall Street Journal.
Schizophrenia causes its victims to hear voices inside their head that are inaudible to others, as well as force them to believe that others are plotting harm against them, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It afflicts about 1% of Americans, specifically those in their late teens and early 20’s.
Bipolar disorder is significantly more severe when found in children than adults and is characterized by frequent mood shifts and energy levels. It affects anywhere from 1-3 percent of Americans.
Before now, only two other drugs were approved for pediatric patients with these diagnoses; Risperdal, from Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), and Abilify, from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMY) and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co.
"There are significant risks associated with these drugs," said Thomas Laughren, directed of psychiatric product division at the FDA.
Laughren says that different medical options are needed for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder because they are so serious, especially since all patients react differently, reported WSJ.
Despite how safe it is, the FDA has concerns about possible side effects. So far, “significant risks” of the drug include sedation and weight gain. Comparing results of children to those of adults, AstraZeneca found that Seroquel meant higher blood pressure and increased appetite in children.
There is concern about whether such risks will have more detrimental long-term side effects, like diabetes or other cardiovascular diseases.
I've heard that bipolar medication does have some serious side effects on users, mainly sleeping a lot, sometimes around 14 to 16 hours a day. Also, when the person wakes up they feel as they are in a haze. It’s no wonder most users don't like taking their medication all the time.
So if adults feel this way I could imagine how this same type of medication could affect a child's learning and functionality while growing up.
this is pretty cool. If they can really treat patients well without the old side effects from current drugs then I'd say that's a big step forward. My friend left school because of his bipolar disorder. I'm sure many people's lives have had to revolve around their disorders.
I took Zyprexa a powerful Lilly schizophrenic drug for 4 years it was prescribed to me off-label for post traumatic stress disorder was ineffective costly and gave me diabetes.
This is a powerful drug that can damage a young person physiologically for life.
Please take with caution and learn as much as you can about side effects.
Eli Lilly's #1 cash cow Zyprexa drug sale $38 billion dollars so far,has a ten times greater risk of causing type 2 diabetes over the non-user of Zyprexa.
So,here we have a conflict of interest that this same company also is a big profiteer of diabetes treatment.
Sorry to hear that. I think more research should be done before they actually release this on the market, lest we have more sad stories like that appear.
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So if adults feel this way I could imagine how this same type of medication could affect a child's learning and functionality while growing up.