AstraZeneca's Seroquel XR(extended release) launched for bipolar: acute depressive, manic, and mixed episodes:$4.45 billion dollar sales in 2008

AstraZeneca's atypical antipsychotic Seroquel XR is approved for bipolar with it's extended release once a day version of the antipsychotic originally designed for schizophrenia, AstraZeneca's blockbuster drug is quickly becoming an all-purpose use psychiatric medication.

The XR once a day version of Seroquel was approved by the FDA in October 2008, and is now available for use.

AstraZeneca is currently in court for allegedly not disclosing diabetes and weight gain as possible side effects from the drug use objects to their internal documents going public.

From Forbes:

"Drugmaker AstraZeneca PLC said Monday(2.23.09) it launched its drug Seroquel XR as a treatment for bipolar disorder in addition to a previous approval for schizophrenia.

The London-based company will sell Seroquel XR as a treatment for depressive, manic and mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder, as well as schizophrenia in adults, and acute schizophrenic episodes. It can also be marketed in combination with two other commonly used depression treatments, lithium and divalproex." *(Depakote)

"AstraZeneca also said it will market Seroquel XR in 50 mg and 150 mg strengths. The drug is currently on the market in 200 mg, 300 mg and 400 mg doses. Worldwide sales of Seroquel totaled $4.45 billion in 2008, making it AstraZeneca's second-best selling drug after the heartburn treatment Nexium."
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I experienced train wreck brain fog from using 50mg. of the regular version of Seroquel for off-label use for insomnia. It took me 14 hours after the dose to remotely function, and driving a car was nearly impossible, to the point, I stopped the drug cold turkey--and had severe withdrawals--it was either me functioning in daily life or the drug--I ditched the drug.

I cannot imagine being on an extended release version of this medication, and personally will never take use it again.

This drug is not an anti depressant, it is an antipsychotic with the possibility of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, diabetes and more as side effects. In my opinion this medication as all antipsychotics should be used with caution, and for treatment of schizophrenia if used at all.

On 800mg per day of Seroquel, my daughter remained in a psychotic episode that escalated into a worsened condition, and as a result of the high dose suffered extreme insomnia. The drug was not efficacious for treatment of psychosis in her case, it made it worse.Doctors remarked they couldn't understand why it wasn't working.

I will leave it at that.