Is Seroquel a Mood Stabilizer?

As of 2009, the term "mood stabilizer" was not recognized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); neither had scientists reached a consensus on its meaning. In common usage, however, a mood stabilizer is a medication useful in treating the high and low moods of bipolar disorder.

Seroquel

• Seroquel (quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic originally marketed for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. AstraZeneca, the manufacturer, won FDA approval for its use in bipolar depression and mania in 2008.

Type

• In a study focusing on Seroquel's mood-stabilizing effects, reported in the June 2005 issue of "Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental," author Eduard Vieta noted the difficulty of defining "mood stabilizer," but concluded that Seroquel had the potential to meet even a stringent definition.

Risks

• According to AstraZeneca, serious risks include weight gain, hyperglycemia, diabetes, tardive dyskinesia (uncontrollable muscle movements), and neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which can be fatal.

Controversy

• On Feb. 27, 2009, Reuters reported that AstraZeneca may have known of the drug's potential for weight gain and diabetes as early as 2000, but, allegedly, they kept the information quiet.

Similar

• Other mood stabilizers include lithium and certain anticonvulsants, such as valproic acid, divalproex sodium, lamotrigine or oxcarbazepine.