Once-daily antipsychotic gets nod for schizophrenia
The atypical antipsychotic quetiapine fumarate is now available in an extended-release formulation. Seroquel XR, from AstraZeneca, has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.
The atypical antipsychotic quetiapine fumarate is now available in an extended-release formulation. Seroquel XR, from AstraZeneca, has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults following evaluation of clinical trial data in a study of 573 patients experiencing acute exacerbation of symptoms of schizophrenia. Following six weeks of treatment, patients taking 400, 600, and 800 mg per day of quetiapine extended-release showed a significant improvement in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total scores compared with placebo. According to the manufacturer, Seroquel XR will be produced as 200-, 300-, and 400-mg strength tablets and will be available in the U.S. market by the end of July.
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