Philip, I want to extend my deepest sympathy to your reader.
A report released yesterday from the GAO identified urgent issues that need to be addressed at the FDA.
The report is posted here: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09271.pdf
I was wondering which form--Seroquel or Seroquel XR--and dosage of the medication was administered to your reader’s father.
And, if a family were so inclined, would it be possible to follow a MedWatch report of such an incident through the FDA reporting process via open-records laws?
Instructions for making a MedWatch report are posted here:
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/tutorial/tutorial_video_flash.htm
I found it helpful to listen to the video while I viewed the slide presentation.

There was a study a few months ago that said that the actual Alzheimers drugs that were designed to slow cognitive decline work better than atypicals by far for behavioral problems in dementia and Alzheimers and are far safer than anti-psychotics. They are expensive, they may not work at all for cognitive decline for most folks, but they may work very well and safely for issues that put people into nursing homes and out of their own homes. It's odd to me that the makers aren't pushing this study more. I have personal observation of this being the case btw.

Nancy, I am not sure if I am the reader Phillip is talking about, but I think I might be. My 85 year old father was admitted to the hospital with dehydration on a Friday evening. He given Seroquel at approximately 9:30 PM on Saturday and passed away the following Monday at 5:00 PM. He never regained consciousness after he was given this drug. I am going to visit the websites you recommend. Please feel free to contact me if you like.

Georganne

Georganne, I just read your post. I am sorry for your loss. Were you able to figure out how to submit the MedWatch report?

I filed an open records request to obtain the approval documents for Seroquel XR, because the documents were not posted on the FDA Web site after the drug was approved. XR is the extended release form of the drug. However the original Seroquel immediate release approval documents are posted on the FDA Web site if you want to take a look at them. Thank you for responding.

Hi Nancy,

I did file a MedWatch report. We want to file in as many places as possible/necessary -- we do not what what happened to my father to happen to anyone else.

Thank you so much for your kind words and your help.

Georganne

My mother is in the hospital and going through the same thing after bein administerd Seroquil. Please send me an email address for Georganne if possible. I would like to speak with her.

Kim, You can contact me at georganne 188 at gmail dot com

My Mother is in a nursing hime with dementia and she is also on seroquel. She now weights close to 130lbs and its not from eating. She went in due to a fall and she broke her leg. She did have some dementia then, but much worse now. They also have her on Buspar. She has always been healthy and did not require no drugs like the ones they have her on now. She will be 91 in August. I would like her to get off the drug, because I beleive its causing her alot of harm mental and
physical. I would appreciate any of your comments.
Thanks, Shirley

Hello,

My dear grandmother turned 102 on May 26th, 2009. She has been in a nursing home for about 14 months. She had early signs of dementia but for her age I did not think it was out of the ordinary. She wasn't on any medication until 3 weeks ago, she was put on morphine and seroquel. She has dramatically deteriorated and is not eating, cannot open eyes, heavily drugged. I finally got my father to realize this is due to the drugs. She hasn't eaten and when I visit see no one giving water or anything. She is basically starving to death. My father called and wants all med's at this point stopped. I would appreciate any comments, I know 102 is very old but to die like this is awful and we should give our elderly more dignity. Thank you.

After posting above comment Nonna died 10 hours later. I believe these drugs killed her. I forgot to mention that hospice was called in 3 weeks ago to give her additional attention and help. I feel they are responsible for her terrible death. They put her on these medications!! I even called Hospice after she died and the nurse stated she was going to increase her medication!!!!