Pentagon Refuses to Stop Using Seroquel on Troops Despite
Expert Warnings
Friday, September 30, 2011
Source:
http://www.allgov.com/Controversies/ViewNews/Pentagon_Refuses_to_Stop_Using_Seroquel_on_Troops_Despite_Expert_Warnings_110930
The U.S military is refusing to stop prescribing Seroquel, a powerful
antipsychotic, to treat insomnia in troops fighting overseas, even though a
panel of experts has recommended it do so.
Medical officials in the Department of Defense have approved low doses (25
milligrams) of the drug to treat sleep disorders.
Seroquel has been linked to adverse effects, including heart failure.
Several months ago, the Defense Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee noted that
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any drugs in the class
known as atypical antipsychotics, which includes Seroquel, for treatment of
insomnia. The committee also has urged the military to use less dangerous drugs
to treat insomnia.
Additionally, the Defense Health Board, a federal advisory group that advises
the secretary of defense, recommended in August that the Pentagon review its
current guidelines on the use of non-FDA-approved drugs, including Seroquel.
Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate) has proved so profitable for its manufacturer,
AstraZeneca, that over the last two years the company has paid more than $600
million to settle accusations of unlawful marketing and hiding side effects and
safety information related to the drug.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Additional Article of Interest Concerning this drug:
Military continues off-label drug use, despite concerns -
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110928_6486.php