Seroquel was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 1997 as a treatment for schizophrenia. Seroquel is also prescribed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), general anxiety disorders, sleep disorders and depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder, insomnia and other sleep disorders.   

Since 1997 AstraZeneca plc has been asked by US regulators to strengthen warnings about potential side effects that can lead to diabetes, according to court documents. Obesity is a known risk factor for type-two diabetes and the FDA wants AstraZeneca to highlight the fact that some users experienced “significant weight gain,” on Seroquel’s warning label.

John Blenkinsopp,  former U.K. medical advisor to AstraZeneca employee told the BBC in an interview last week that the pharmaceutical company knew about the potential weight-gain side effects of Seroquel, but pressured medical staff to sign off on claims that the antipsychotic drug was weight neutral ,  threatening his career when he refused

US Seroquel action

The first trial over claims that Seroquel caused diabetes is set to begin  this month in the New Jersey State Court .  Some 6,000 Seroquel lawsuits have been filed by injured victims in federal court and another 3,000 Seroquel cases were filed in various state courts involving 7,492 more plaintiff groups.

If you are concerned that you or a member of your family may have been affected by Seroquel , we suggest that you consult your GP as soon as possible. For a free initial consultation about the prospects of bringing a legal claim in this regard, please contact Bozena Michalowska or Jill Paterson in our product liability department on 020 7650 1311.