Critics loom over the use of the controversial drug Seroquel genetically known as quetiapine used to patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as it caused the death of young veteran.
The controversial death of Andrew White, a 23-year-old Marine corporal, claims tons of queries on whether or not Seroquel is the accurate drug to treat PTSD.
Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar I mania, bipolar II depression, bipolar I depression, and used off-label for other purposes, including insomnia and anxiety disorders.
Plenty of soldiers experiencing PTSD are treated with Seroquel making it Veteran Affairs Department’s finest treatment expenditures hitting fifth for the top selling drug.
However, some soldiers died while taking the pill leaving family to question if the government reviews drug dispensed for militaries.
Andrew White arrived home from a nine-month tour to Iraq plagued by signs of PTSD. Doctors prescribed him with the antipsychotic drug, Seroquel.
Doctors prescribed White with higher dosage of the drug after complaining that nightmares persisted… He was given 1,600 milligrams of seroquel a day—double the maximum dose used by patients with schizophrenia. White died in his sleep.
Stan White, a retired high school principal, Andrew’s father stated that the doctor told Andrew that he could take another dose if sleeplessness continues.
Investigations by the Veteran Affairs Department showed that White died because of drug interactions. White was discovered to be taking antidepressant and an anti-anxiety pill, as well as a painkiller all at the same time in which he had no prescription.
It is, however, unclear if whether or not Seroquel accounts for the death of some soldiers. Seroquel’s side effects diabetes, weight gain and uncontrollable muscle spasms have previously resulted for lawsuits. During the course of treatment, White gained 40 lbs and experienced slurred speech, disorientation and tremors.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University published a study posing for a new risk of the drug, sudden heart failure. The study in the January 2009 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine stated that there were three deaths per year for patients taking antipsychotic drugs like Seroquel.
AstraZeneca PLC, makers of the drug along with FDA now conducts own study. White’s death caused his family to search for explanation and for ways to prevent further deaths.
