SEROQUEL(r) Manages Depressive Symptoms and Minimizes Side Effects Common in Other Treatments

Market Wire, 20050229

Further evidence of the efficacy of the atypical antipsychotic SEROQUEL(r) (quetiapine fumarate) was presented this week at a major U.S. psychiatric conference. Studies show that SEROQUEL effectively controls the devastating depressive symptoms of psychosis with few of the side effects common with other antipsychotics that often interfere with treatment.

"The data presented today support the use of SEROQUEL as a first-line treatment for psychotic disorders," said Jamie Mullen, M.D., Medical Director, CNS Therapeutic Area, AstraZeneca. "Patients treated with SEROQUEL experienced little weight gain and less incidence of tardive dysksinesia (TD), a serious, debilitating movement disorder and overall had better control over depressive symptoms. By minimizing side effects and offering effective control over symptoms of psychosis, SEROQUEL offers doctors and patients an important choice in the battle against mental illness."

MORE EFFECTIVE IN CONTROLLING DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS

Psychotic disorders are associated with visible symptoms such as paranoia and hearing voices, but they can also be characterized by a loss of energy and motivation. These so-called "negative" symptoms can make it difficult for patients to concentrate on simple tasks, plan ahead or even enjoy life. These depression-like symptoms can be a significant problem for people with psychotic disorders; one in five people with schizophrenia attempt suicide and half are successful, making it the leading cause of death for young people with the disease.

Arecent study showed that the atypical antipsychotic SEROQUEL was effective against the depressive symptoms in patients, particularly those who entered the trial with high scores on one of the most widely used instruments for clinical assessment of depressive symptoms, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Seven hundred fifty-one adult outpatients with psychotic disorders participated in the four-month, multicenter, open-label safety and tolerability trial which additionally compared the efficacy of atypicals SEROQUEL and risperidone against depressive symptoms. Patients taking SEROQUEL had improvement in HAM-D scores by 44.6%.

"Although they might not be as obvious to the outside world as hallucinations and delusions, depressive symptoms can be just as devastating for patients suffering from psychosis," said Martha Sajatovic, an author of the study and assistant professor of psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. "This study demonstrates that quetiapine fumarate offers patients improvement in the symptoms of psychosis and may provide an opportunity to live a more normal life."

SIDE EFFECTS, COMPLIANCE AND SEROQUEL

Like all medications, there can be side effects associated with antipsychotics. These can range from moderately troubling to potentially serious, and all can impact patients' quality of life. Approximately half of the patients recovering from a relapse stop taking medications within one year, and doctors say patients sometimes stop taking medication because of troublesome side effects3 such as weight gain, restlessness and tremors.

One serious side effect of antipsychotic treatment is TD, a disorder that causes potentially irreversible involuntary muscle movements. Almost 1,500 patients participating in three phase III clinical trials were assessed for TD after receiving SEROQUEL. Researchers found that the incidence of the disorder was lower than the incidence of TD associated with conventional antipsychotic medications in other studies.4

Researchers also investigated the incidence of weight gain in 2,216 patients taking SEROQUEL in controlled, uncontrolled and open-label extension trials.54 Data were reported on weight changes observed in this large group with specified time intervals. After nine months to a year of taking the medication, patients treated with SEROQUEL gained a mean of only 6 pounds.

"In general, the atypical antipsychotics do a better job of controlling the negative symptoms of psychosis and have much less chance of causing extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) such as tremors and inability to sit still," said Dr. Mullen. "However, some of these atypical agents are associated with significant weight gain. The data presented here indicate that this problem is not significant for patients taking SEROQUEL, adding to its already favorable side effects profile."

"After being diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, my doctors put me on an atypical antipsychotic, but it made me impotent and left me with an insatiable appetite," said Lee Unger, a manager of a furniture department for a major retailer, who has struggled with mental illness for more than 15 years. "I complained to my doctor about these side effects, but he wasn't interested in hearing about them. Eventually, I went to another doctor who listened to me. She put me on SEROQUEL and it worked great on my symptoms without the increase in appetite or impotence. It's been a wonder drug for me."