Furious Seasons

October 25, 2006

Distortion, Brought To You By AstraZeneca

I looked up AstraZeneca's press release touting the recent FDA approval of Seroquel for bipolar depression (it's already approved for use in acute mania). The company states the following in the press release:

"Patients with bipolar disorder are symptomatic almost half of their lives, and approximately two-thirds of that time is spent in the depressed phase of the illness."

There is no footnote or attribution for this assertion, but this strikes me as complete BS. I cannot think of a single bipolar I know or have known who has been symptomatic for almost half their lives. This is out of hundreds of bipolars I've encountered. I wonder upon what study they are making this assertion and whether it's a finding that has ever been replicated. It's one of those assertions that makes me want to contact the company's press office and ask them for the details. I cannot wait for that conversation.

Posted by Philip Dawdy at October 25, 2006 12:03 AM

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Comments

Make sure to ask them how many patients told them that have been symtomatic half their lives, I would like to know exact numbers.
I know I have had 2 major episodes and I am 46. I also wonder if they looked at the broad spectrum this illness has, and what axis in the DSM they are placing their focus on to tout their report and endorcement.

I suffer from manic/hypomanic as my predominant symtom, and with 2 bad episodes under my belt, I would hardly call that being symtomatic half of my life.

I think all patients/consumers should make the phone call.

They need to hear from the masses at this point if anything is going to be changed in this industry.

Posted by: Stephany at October 25, 2006 08:06 AM

Page 5 out of 45 from Seroquel's newest label revision talks about the depression, and how many people were tested and on what dose etc.

I highly recommend patients/consumers read the prescribing information, most ideally with their doctor.

45 pages of fine print says a lot.

It comes with all bottles of meds in pharmacys but you generally have to ask for it.

This site is a good one to see it online, same version, just online. Straight from the manufacturer.

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm?fuseaction=Search.Label_ApprovalHistory

Search for your med of choice, then click on label (for instance, Seroquel and the new label approved 10.20.06)

There are so many black box warnings it is rediculous.

Posted by: Stephany at October 25, 2006 09:00 AM

I don't mean to make light of anything that goes on here, but if anyone wants to check out my lastest and greatest article, published in three different newspapers, here it is:

http://www.zwire.com/site/tab3.cfm?newsid=17347563&BRD=855&PAG=461&dept_id=515262&rfi=6

See, I want to be just like Philip and write really great articles just like him. I'm learning more and more every day!

Posted by: Gwen at October 25, 2006 10:41 AM

I wonder what "symptomatic" means.

Posted by: Liz at October 25, 2006 02:28 PM

I am going to have to read the full quote on this one because what is said is so untrue and so misleading it should be criminal. Liz asked a good question, but I am also wondering what their version of depression is?

Posted by: Angie at October 25, 2006 06:59 PM

I think reference below is the study being referred to (ie., as indicated in this posting http://www.epilepsy.com/newsfeed/pr_1150810223.html):

Judd LL, Akiskal HS, Schettler PJ, Endicott J, Maser J, Solomon DA, Leon AC, Rice JA, Keller MB. The Long-term Natural History of the Weekly Symptomatic Status of Bipolar I Disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2002;59:530-537.

I plan to critically review the Arch Gen Psychiatry paper, and, at a later date, post an opinion on it here.

Posted by: Steve at October 26, 2006 09:33 AM