NEW YORK, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Parker & Waichman LLP and Aylstock,
Witkens & Sasser PLC announced that a class action lawsuit has been commenced
in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida on
behalf of all patients who have used the popular anti-psychotic drug Seroquel.
Seroquel is part of the new class of anti-psychotic drugs known as atypical
anti-psychotics, and is manufactured, distributed and marketed by AstraZeneca
PLC (NYSE: AZN) and its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary AstraZeneca
Pharmaceuticals LP ("AstraZeneca"). Information on the lawsuit can be found
at http://www.seroquelclassaction.com .
A recent study has linked the use of Seroquel to an unacceptable rate of
diabetes onset. Data from this study showed that patients on Seroquel had a
significantly higher number of incidences of diabetes than those on older
drugs or other atypical anti-psychotics. The lawsuit alleges that AstraZeneca
was aware that Seroquel caused a high occurrence of diabetes, but failed to
adequately warn doctors or patients in the United States. The Japanese label
for Seroquel provides a detailed warning about the risk of diabetes and
specifically informs medical professionals regarding the need for medical
monitoring of patients on Seroquel.
The Japanese Seroquel label warns specifically of the diabetes risk,
prominently in the beginning of the package label stating:
- Seroquel (Quetiapine) is contraindicated for use in patients with
diabetes or a history of diabetes.
- Seroquel (Quetiapine) should be used with caution in patients with risk
factors for diabetes, including hyperglycemia, obesity or a family
history of diabetes.
- Patients receiving Seroquel (Quetiapine) should be carefully monitored
for symptoms of hyperglycemia and the drug should be discontinued if
such symptoms occur. The symptoms of severe hyperglycemia include
weakness, excessive eating, excessive thirst, and excessive urination.
- Physicians should educate patients and their family members about the
risk of serious hyperglycemia associated with Seroquel (Quetiapine)
and how to identify the symptoms of hyperglycemia.
AstraZeneca has not adopted this safer, more accurate and comprehensive
label for the U.S. distribution of Seroquel.
"When studies show that a medication is linked so often to a disease as
serious as diabetes, it is unconscionable that a drug company would not take
the necessary steps to protect the public," commented Jerry Parker, one of the
founding partners of Parker & Waichman. "What is particularly upsetting is
that a pharmaceutical company would provide a greater warning of a serious
side effect of a pharmaceutical in one country but not provide the residents
of the United States the benefit of that same warning."
A plaintiff in the lawsuit, a resident of Washington, suffered from rapid
weight gain, increased thirst, frequent urinating, and other symptoms commonly
associated with diabetes after taking Seroquel. Shortly thereafter, while
taking Seroquel, the plaintiff was diagnosed with diabetes which puts her at
risk of serious diabetic complications including: ketoacidosis, pancreatitis,
coma, seizures, blindness, heart disease and death. The lawsuit seeks
statutory, exemplary and punitive damages from the defendants for the flagrant
disregard of the lives and health of the plaintiffs and class members.
Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that AstraZeneca aggressively marketed
and promoted Seroquel for off label use that was beyond its FDA approved
indications. AstraZeneca offered incentives to doctors and other medical
professionals to increase the number of Seroquel prescriptions that were
written. Another plaintiff in the lawsuit, a minor in Florida, was prescribed
Seroquel after sales representatives encouraged off label use in children.
This plaintiff has since suffered from rapid weight gain, increased thirst,
frequent urinating, and other symptoms commonly associated with the onset of
diabetes.
Additionally, the class action lawsuit seeks to establish a medical
monitoring fund to pay for any person who has taken Seroquel to be tested for
diabetes and other blood sugar disorders.
Parker & Waichman and associated counsel currently represent thousands of
victims of prescription drug side effects including Baycol, Fen Phen, Rezulin,
Accutane, Paxil and Prempro. For more information on Parker & Waichman,
please visit http://www.yourlawyer.com.
Anyone who has used Seroquel is encouraged to visit
http://www.seroquelclassaction.com to request a free, no obligation, case evaluation.
A case evaluation can also be requested by contacting Parker & Waichman
at 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).
Contact:
Parker & Waichman, LLP
David Krangle, Esq.
1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636)
dkrangle@yourlawyer.com
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information,
visit http://www.ereleases.com.
SOURCE Parker & Waichman LLP
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Related links:
http://www.seroquelclassaction.com
http://www.yourlawyer.com
CONTACT:
David Krangle, Esq., Parker & Waichman, LLP,
+1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636), dkrangle@yourlawyer.com
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