Trial Spotlights Pentagon Use of Unapproved Antipsychotics for Post-Traumatic Stress

[The Straight Story]

Trial Spotlights Pentagon Use of Unapproved Antipsychotics for Post-Traumatic Stress


A trial under way in New Jersey has the potential to shine a spotlight on the antipsychotic drugs given to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and whether they harm the health of soldiers trying to cope with their war memories.

The trial — the first of more than 10,000 cases which allege that AstraZeneca (AZN)’s antipsychotic drug Seroquel causes weight gain and diabetes — has nothing to do with Iraq or Afghanistan as such, but by coincidence the plaintiff is a Vietnam veteran. Ted Baker alleges he contracted diabetes after taking Seroquel for lingering post-traumatic stress disorder from the war.

Independent journalist Martha Rosenberg of Alternet has also identified six soldiers who served in Iraq or Afghanistan who died suddenly while on Seroquel cocktails for PTSD. In addition:

Death certificates and other records collected by veteran family members show that more than 100 similar deaths have occurred among Iraq and Afghanistan combat vets and other military personnel, many of whom took PTSD cocktails that included Seroquel and other antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, sleep inducers and pain and seizure medications.

Seroquel is not approved for PTSD, but Pentagon purchases of the drug nearly doubled between 2003 and 2007. Elspeth Ritchie, the medical director of the Army’s strategic communications office, told the Denver Post that Seroquel:

http://industry.bnet.com/pharma/10007111/trial-spotlights-pentagon-use-of-unapproved-antipsychotics-for-post-traumatic-stress/?tag=landing-pad;today

[Trillo]

1. I'm pretty sure I've seen some studies somewhere about PTSD

and medical marijuana being effective for it. A quick search suggests that veterans can't get it for some reason.

According to Dr. Akirav, the results of this study show that cannabinoids can play an important role in stress-related disorders.

“The results of our research should encourage psychiatric investigation into the use of cannabinoids in post-traumatic stress patients,” she concludes.

http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/11/05/medical-marijuana-for-ptsd/9359.html