Anti-psychotic medications Seroquel, Zyprexa, and Geodon should receive FDA approval for prescription to adolescent patients, an advisory panel of medical experts told the agency this week.

As the Washington Post points out, doctors have begun prescribing these drugs (which are currently approved only for adult use) to younger patients in recent years, and now the advisory panel wants the FDA to officially endorse such use “for children 10 to 17 years old who suffer from schizophrenia and manic depression.” The FDA is not legally obligated to – but usually does – follow the recommendations of its advisory panels.

Antipsychotic medications like Zyprexa, Seroquel, and Geodon are used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia – including hearing voices, seeing things that are not there, mistaken beliefs, and paranoia – and manic episodes stemming from bipolar disorder.

In addition to common side effects like headaches, nausea, and weight gain, some anti-psychotic medications can cause serious health problems like Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), a life-threatening nervous system problem that can also affect the kidneys; Tardive Dyskinesia (TD), an uncontrollable muscle movement problem; and high blood sugar and diabetes.

  • Washington Post: FDA Is Urged to Approve Drugs for Adolescent Use
  • Drug Safety and Availability (FDA.gov)
  • Dangerous Medications (provided by Dempsey & Kingsland, P.C.)
  • Health and Legal Information: Seroquel | Zyprexa
  • Medication Errors and the Law (provided by Chalat Hatten & Koupal)
  • Things You Should Know: Taking Prescription Medications (FindLaw)

You Don’t Have To Solve This on Your Own – Get a Lawyer’s Help

Civil Rights

Block on Trump’s Asylum Ban Upheld by Supreme Court

Criminal

Judges Can Release Secret Grand Jury Records

Politicians Can’t Block Voters on Facebook, Court Rules