Even though some doctors won’t prescribe it except in critical situations given its side effects, Seroquel remains a popular drug for the treatment of schizophrenia. Thanks in part to the drug manufacturer’s efforts, many doctors also rely on the drug to treat an array of other ailments.
But the drug in fact has a checkered past. In the mid-2000s, the federal Food and Drug Administration, which regulates the marketing and sale of prescription medications, alleged that the manufacturer was not being forthright in its description of the drug’s drawbacks and risks.
The particular concern was many physicians were prescribing the drug as a treatment for insomnia, even though the drug was never labeled for that purpose.
After the Administration made its allegation, several states and patients sued the manufacturer, alleging the manufacturer failed to adequately warn patients of the drug’s dangerous side effects. Over time, the manufacturer wound up paying an estimated $1 billion to settle claims about Seroquel.
Nevertheless, the manufacturer has more than made up for its losses, having made $3.6 billion on sales of the drug between 2014 and 2016 alone. The drug is not only used for schizophrenia but also for insomnia, PTSD and even to calm people who are experiencing dementia.
This does not mean, however, that this drug has suddenly become safe. Some lawsuits pertaining to the drug are still pending. Those in Georgia who feel they’ve been injured by this drug may have legal recourse via a medical product liability lawsuit. Of course, filing a lawsuit of this nature can prove to be a complicated process, so getting the assistance of an attorney experienced in this area of the law is advised.
Source: Oakland Press, “Popular schizophrenia drug reveals issues of off-label use,” Amy Ellis Nutt, April 23, 2018.