Seroquel and Cardiac Death
US, Canada and Puerto Rico
Seroquel is a popular antipsychotic drug used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. This drug, however, has also been proven to raise blood sugar while raising insulin resistance, increasing the risk of diabetes and other blood sugar disorders. If you or someone you love has taken Seroquel and developed diabetes, please contact the dangerous drug lawyers at Balkin & Eisbrouch, LLC.
How Seroquel Works
Created by AstraZeneca, Seroquel helps alleviate illnesses like schizophrenia by balancing the two major chemicals in your brain: serotonin and dopamine.
Seroquel is a second generation or "atypical antipsychotic," which is supposed to provide all the benefits of older antipsychotics without as many potentially harmful side effects. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997, Seroquel soon became the drug of choice to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
This drug is also effective in treating manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. It has other uses as well, such as managing the following:
- Delusions
- Thought disorders
- Hallucinations
- Social anxiety and withdrawal
- Lethargy and lack of energy
- Reduced ability to express emotion
Problems with Seroquel Begin to Surface
Despite a guarantee from AstraZeneca that Seroquel is a safe drug, patients began suffering complications that left them severely ill. Aside from the standard side effects of tremors and weight gain, those who used this drug suffered potentially life-threatening complications including:
- Tardive dyskinesia (involuntary, uncontrollable movements)
- Pancreatitis, a pancreatic condition that can lead to diabetes
- Hyperglycemia
- Diabetes
- Juvenile diabetes
Seroquel and Diabetes
Seroquel has been shown to raise your blood sugar while simultaneously increasing your body’s resistance to insulin. The result is an increased risk of developing diabetes. Unchecked diabetes can result in an immediate medical emergency and can also cause:
- Blindness
- Diabetic coma
- Death
Studies reveal that among patients taking Seroquel, there are 3.34 times as many cases of diabetes than patients taking older antipsychotic drugs.
Symptoms to Watch For
The following are several symptoms and side effects to watch for if you are taking Seroquel:
- Abnormal heart rate
- Fluttering in your chest
- Weakness, faintness or dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
- Abnormal bruising
- Signs of bleeding (from you gums, nose, digestive tract or vagina)
- Unusual rash (signs of problems with blood clot formation)
If you notice any of these side effects, contact your physician immediately. Then, please contact the dangerous drug attorneys at Balkin & Eisbrouch, LLC today to discuss legal action against AstraZeneca. Drug companies should not get away with injuring patients who are taking medication to improve their health. Please call our personal injury law firm today.
