Nothing like an antipsychotic for depression, eh? Well, apparently AstraZeneca is hoping that is the case. They are currently investigating Seroquel (quetiapine) as a treatment for depression.
On their clinical trials website, I noted eight studies currently (or in the near future) examining Seroquel for depression. Not bipolar disorder -- depression. One of these studies is recruiting exclusively elderly patients. This is just the latest in the Seroquel for everything campaign, which includes generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol abuse, public speaking anxiety, anorexia, and likely more. Can you say "Zyprexa: The Sequel"?
Are we really all that surprised that AstraZeneca is being sued for off-label marketing of Seroquel?
I'd bet that at the right dosage regimen, seroquell would even prove to be highly effective in treating compulsive gambling, safe-cracking, homophobia, counter-revolutionary schizophrenia as diagnosed in the USSR, and even recidivist jaywalking.
ReplyDeleteHell if Ken Lay had been on enough seroquell, he might be twichin' but not in prison.
Neurontin is still the preferred treatment for type I safe-cracking . . . though there are studies in the works for type II.
ReplyDeleteIf all you have is a hammer everything starts looking like a nail!
ReplyDeleteAll I want to know is if shrinks on seroquel are more or less likely to aggressively pursue polypharmacology...
ReplyDelete"On their clinical trials website, I noted eight studies currently (or in the near future) examining Seroquel for depression. ... One of these studies is recruiting exclusively elderly patients."
ReplyDeleteGAD, MDD. I guarantee you that they'll soon start a clinical trial on the elderly for dementia/Alzheimer's. I'd bet $100 on that.
As a mental health practitioner who has suffered severe clinical depression for more than twenty years, I can attest to Seroquel's transforming boost to my standard medication regimen. I never believed that I would break through my dysthymic baseline. I had a trial of Seroquel 25mg because I had a major depressive episode. During this three month trial I have taken a break from psychotherapy and my mood has truly never been better. The experience is very different than the more subtle shift in mood from antidepressents or a mood stabilizer.
ReplyDeleteI think your commentary is hilarious and often true, but I am living proof that 25 mg of Seroquel can dramatically improve quality of life. I have never remotely experienced such a positive effect from any other medicine.
Thank you Astra Zenaca Rep.....
ReplyDeleteit seems to work for me for depression, better than anything else including 8 weeks on st. john's wort. i have reservations about being on it (300mg per day), but when you've lived with debilitating depression, the benefits of feeling good outweigh the risks - i suppose if i want to continue to experience purgatory on earth i can always go off it. don't knock something until you've tried it:)
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