FDA approves Seroquel for bipolar depression
Seroquel, (manufactured by AstraZeneca) which is already used to treat the manic phases of bipolar disorder, has recently been approved by the FDA for treatment of bipolar depression, making it the only drug approved for both indications.
In an Astra Zeneca press release it quoted Patterson, executive director of development as saying "Treating acute bipolar disorder with a single medication may help patients adhere to their medication regimen,"
The FDA approval was based on results from studies where patients taking Seroquel showed an improvement in depressive symptoms starting at week one compared to those taking placebo, and this improvement continued throughout the study. In addition, patients treated with Seroquel showed significant improvement on overall quality of life and satisfaction related to functioning.
"For many patients with bipolar disorder, the depressive symptoms are significantly more debilitating and frequent than the manic symptoms, and having a medication that effectively treats both acute phases of the illness can be crucial to the overall treatment process," said Michael Thase, professor of psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
A recent news story by DataMonitor in the UK stated that AstraZeneca is currently defending the patent on its Seroquel drug, as Teva Pharmaceuticals is planning to market a generic version of the anti-psychotic drug.
Posted by szadmin at October 25, 2006 12:47 PM
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Bipolar Disorder Medications
Dr. Ricardo Schack used this treatment with me. When I was on meds, it worked well. It worked so well that I stopped taking them; hoping and believing maybe I just had a long series of events to have caused this crisis. Now, I understand better. Thank you. Theresa
Posted by: Theresa at November 7, 2006 3:34 PM
I was diagnosed bipolar in 1998 and I'm currently being treated with Seroquel and Lamictal since the mania is more prevalent in my bipolar illness.
I was taking Effexor for depression, but it became ineffective after using it for about 8 years. I was recently told that the Effexor was not doing me any good. Always check with your physician before going off any medications.
I started taking Seroquel for controlling the episodes of mania, which were becoming more often and longer. I have been on Seroquel for about 6 weeks. My family and friends have seen improvements with my mood swings decreasing and also helping me to sleep better at night.
I feel that I'm on the road to recovery in dealing with my bipolar illness. I attend a bipolar support group which is a national organization (DBSA) Depression Bipolar Support Alliance - www.dbsalliance.org
Thanks, Kathleen
Posted by: Kathleen at December 19, 2006 10:29 PM
I have been diagnosed with type 2 bipolar disorder and have been prescribed seroquel as a sleeping pill. I take 200-400 mg. per night. Do most people take it at night? I couldn't imagine taking it any other way, since it makes me dizzy and extremely sleepy.
Posted by: Kim Tanner at February 27, 2007 1:41 AM
I take 300mg of Seroquel at night. I cannot sleep without it. My mind would not shut down so that I could go to sleep without it. I also take Lamictal but I can't tell if it's helping or not. I know that it causes me to have tremors and I'm breaking out with acne. I love Seroquel. It works for me.
Posted by: Vurdeen at March 9, 2007 11:17 AM
My doctor has me taking 1600 mg. of Seroquel per day. I take it: 400 after work and then 1200 at night. It makes me very drowsy. If I take it all at night, then the next I might be stumbling around or feel inadquate to drive to work.
Posted by: Beverly at March 30, 2007 5:08 PM
My mom is bipolar and has been recently hospitalized. She has had a complete hystorectomy because they found a benign tumor the size of an orange on her ovaries. She is doing fine but does not want to come home. She is also a RENAL patient(7 years). She has been on Depakot for about five of the seven years. I have been looking into talking to the doctors ABOUT changing her meds. Could you please send me more information on the med. Seroquel. I would like to speak to her docs about this "new" drug for my mother. SHe does have difficult time keeping on a strict regimine but she is fairly good about an everyday schedual. Thank you for your time and information. Ms. Pope
Posted by: corrina pope at May 19, 2007 5:42 PM
I have went from 189 to 214 in 5 weeks. The seroquel seems increase my appatite. Im hunger and just want to shed this weight. Thought of going off it , so I cut the seroquel half 200 mg and lamitical up a half of pill. Still seems like its not working. And I clean houses for a leaving so you know IM moving.
Posted by: Tisha at November 20, 2007 7:50 AM
I've been on Seroquel 300 mg for about a month and I've gained 26 pounds. After I take the full dose an hour before bedtime I get the munchies even if I've just finished eating a large meal. I never at like this or had a weight problem.
Pamela
Posted by: Pamela at February 11, 2008 4:42 PM
Dr. Ricardo Schack used this treatment with me. When I was on meds, it worked well. It worked so well that I stopped taking them; hoping and believing maybe I just had a long series of events to have caused this crisis. Now, I understand better. Thank you. Theresa
Posted by: Theresa at November 7, 2006 3:34 PM
I was diagnosed bipolar in 1998 and I'm currently being treated with Seroquel and Lamictal since the mania is more prevalent in my bipolar illness.
I was taking Effexor for depression, but it became ineffective after using it for about 8 years. I was recently told that the Effexor was not doing me any good. Always check with your physician before going off any medications.
I started taking Seroquel for controlling the episodes of mania, which were becoming more often and longer. I have been on Seroquel for about 6 weeks. My family and friends have seen improvements with my mood swings decreasing and also helping me to sleep better at night.
I feel that I'm on the road to recovery in dealing with my bipolar illness. I attend a bipolar support group which is a national organization (DBSA) Depression Bipolar Support Alliance - www.dbsalliance.org
Thanks, Kathleen
Posted by: Kathleen at December 19, 2006 10:29 PM
I have been diagnosed with type 2 bipolar disorder and have been prescribed seroquel as a sleeping pill. I take 200-400 mg. per night. Do most people take it at night? I couldn't imagine taking it any other way, since it makes me dizzy and extremely sleepy.
Posted by: Kim Tanner at February 27, 2007 1:41 AM
I take 300mg of Seroquel at night. I cannot sleep without it. My mind would not shut down so that I could go to sleep without it. I also take Lamictal but I can't tell if it's helping or not. I know that it causes me to have tremors and I'm breaking out with acne. I love Seroquel. It works for me.
Posted by: Vurdeen at March 9, 2007 11:17 AM
My doctor has me taking 1600 mg. of Seroquel per day. I take it: 400 after work and then 1200 at night. It makes me very drowsy. If I take it all at night, then the next I might be stumbling around or feel inadquate to drive to work.
Posted by: Beverly at March 30, 2007 5:08 PM
My mom is bipolar and has been recently hospitalized. She has had a complete hystorectomy because they found a benign tumor the size of an orange on her ovaries. She is doing fine but does not want to come home. She is also a RENAL patient(7 years). She has been on Depakot for about five of the seven years. I have been looking into talking to the doctors ABOUT changing her meds. Could you please send me more information on the med. Seroquel. I would like to speak to her docs about this "new" drug for my mother. SHe does have difficult time keeping on a strict regimine but she is fairly good about an everyday schedual. Thank you for your time and information. Ms. Pope
Posted by: corrina pope at May 19, 2007 5:42 PM
I have went from 189 to 214 in 5 weeks. The seroquel seems increase my appatite. Im hunger and just want to shed this weight. Thought of going off it , so I cut the seroquel half 200 mg and lamitical up a half of pill. Still seems like its not working. And I clean houses for a leaving so you know IM moving.
Posted by: Tisha at November 20, 2007 7:50 AM
I've been on Seroquel 300 mg for about a month and I've gained 26 pounds. After I take the full dose an hour before bedtime I get the munchies even if I've just finished eating a large meal. I never at like this or had a weight problem.
Pamela
Posted by: Pamela at February 11, 2008 4:42 PM