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.