News - National
Questions loom over drug given to sleepless vets
Posted: Aug 30, 2010 6:36 AM by Bea Karnes, News First 5
Updated: Aug 30, 2010 6:37 AM
Some military families are calling on Congress to investigate several deaths of soldiers and veterans who were taking a potent anti-pyschotic called Seroquel.
Thousands of soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have received the same medication over the last nine years.
It's unclear how many soldiers have died while taking Seroquel, or if the drug definitely contributed to the deaths. But the drug's potential side effects, including diabetes, weight gain and uncontrollable muscle spasms, have resulted in thousands of lawsuits.
The success of AstraZeneca's second-best-selling product has been marred by allegations that the company illegally marketed the drug and minimized its risks.
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