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Seroquel Causes Many Adverse Effects - Friday, February 22, 2008

Seroquel is a drug manufactured by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis, such as visual and auditory hallucinations. Seroquel has also been prescribed for the treatment of bipolar disorder and is in the group of drugs called atypical antipsychotics, which were developed to avoid the loss of motor control caused by the older antipsychotic drugs. Seroquel has recently been linked to several very serious side effects including diabetes, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), and tardive dyskinesia (TD). NMS is a life-threatening nervous system disorder whose symptoms include high fever, stiff muscles, irregular heartbeat, changes in blood pressure, and confusion. TD is a disorder characterized by muscle movements that cannot be controlled.

To date, Seroquel has not been recalled and there is no black box warning for the drug; however, in 2004, there was an FDA warning regarding all atypical antipsychotics due to their link to diabetes and hypoglycemia. If you have taken Seroquel and have experienced any of the serious side effects discussed here, you should contact your physician immediately.

Mesothelioma Victim Awarded $5.2 Million - Thursday, February 7, 2008

New Jersey engineering and construction firm Foster Wheeler Corp. has been ordered to pay $5.2 million to the survivors of an employee who died in 2006 after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer related to asbestos exposure. Richard Walmach was a career naval machinist who died after filing the suit, which claimed the company failed to disclose asbestos risks. Foster Wheeler Corp. is a supplier of boilers, steam generators and other power equipment for the U.S. Navy.

Foster Wheeler has faced many other asbestos-related suits and has paid over $100 million in damages, but this is the first time the company has been ordered to pay punitive damages. Of Walmach's $5.2 million, $2 million was for punitive damages. Walmach worked at the company for 37 years and used jackhammers to remove asbestos-packed insulation from boilers. He also worked at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard when asbestos was being removed there in the 1960's.