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The drug AstraZeneca has been approved by the FDA to be used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. But, AstraZeneca has been marketing the drug to patients suffering from depression and anxiety. The FDA is presently reviewing this expanded use. The question is what are the side effects? Presently, in a New Jersey courthouse, there are sealed clinical trial findings that may answer these questions.

Ted Baker of Bastrop, LA was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder and prescribed Seroquel in 2001. In 2004, he was diagnosed with Type II diabetes. Baker is one of many cases of people who were prescribed Seroquel unaware of the dangerous side effects. Many consumers of Seroquel experienced drastic weight gain in a small period of time.

The Sunshine in Litigation Act introduced this past week by U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) and U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and introduced last week by Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) would make secrecy agreements in federal court cases more difficult; ensuring that life saving information is not kept hidden from the public. More than 15,000 patients have sued AstraZeneca, claiming the company withheld information of a connection between diabetes and Seroquel use from doctors and patients. It’s important that the information be released.

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