Seroquel - The Patients' Choice

Main Category: Schizophrenia
Article Date: 13 Oct 2004 - 12:00 PDT

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New data reveal 8 out of 10 patients, with serious mental illnesses, are satisfied with their treatment when given Seroquel

Alderley Park, UK - AstraZeneca today announced new data from the 17th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) meeting in Stockholm, Sweden which show that SEROQUELTM (quetiapine) improves patients' quality of life and that 8 out of 10 patients are satisfied with it as a treatment.1 The results demonstrate that SEROQUEL is effective, well-tolerated and could potentially increase patient compliance - due to the high level of patient satisfaction seen in this and other studies.1,2,3

Approximately 50% of patients with schizophrenia do not fully adhere to their treatment which can lead to relapse, rehospitalisation, poor outcome and high socioeconomic costs.4,5 A patient's own experience with a treatment can have a major impact on their levels of compliance and consequently the treatment outcome.6,7 Furthermore, research has shown that patients who experience good tolerability and an improvement in their wellbeing are more likely to adhere to treatment.8

These results were based on an 8-week, open label, observational trial including 802 patients the majority of whom had schizophrenia and related psychoses. Patients with schizophrenia received a mean dose of SEROQUEL 405mg/day (±267). The results of the study show:1

-- Almost one third (27% / 214 patients) were either 'very' or 'extremely' satisfied with SEROQUEL as measured by a self-rated questionnaire

-- In previously untreated patients, 68% showed an improvement in positive symptoms and 35% an improvement in negative symptoms when treated with SEROQUEL

-- In patients who switched to SEROQUEL from a different antipsychotic, 56% showed an improvement in positive symptoms and 38% an improvement in negative symptoms

-- 92% of patients who switched to SEROQUEL from another antipsychotic due to EPS showed an improvement in symptoms after 8 weeks

-- 57% of patients who switched to SEROQUEL from another antipsychotic due to weight gain lost weight (1.8kg mean weight loss).

These data support previous research in patients with schizophrenia which show SEROQUEL to be highly effective and well tolerated in patients who have had an inadequate response or tolerability issues with their previous antipsychotic treatment.9

"In serious mental illnesses, treatment compliance is crucial in patients' long-term management. Treatments that work effectively without putting patients at risk of side effects contribute to improved compliance," commented Dr Chris Boek from GGZ's, Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands and lead investigator. "These results are encouraging for both clinicians and patients, as here, with Seroquel, clinicians have a treatment that is both effective and well-tolerated which will contribute to improved compliance and therefore better outcomes for our patients."

Other data presented at this year's ECNP from a two-year, open-label study of 39 patients, by Professor Lili Kopala, with a mean SEROQUEL dose of 614mg/day show SEROQUEL to be well-tolerated and effective in the long term treatment of the positive, negative and depressive symptoms in patients with first episode psychosis.10 The results show that patients treated with SEROQUEL experienced:10

-- Significantly improved mean scores for PANSS (Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale), GAF (Global Assessment of Function) and SOFAS (Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale) (p<0.001)

-- Significant improvements in mood as assessed by the CDSS (Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia) (p=0.003)

-- Significantly improved attention and executive functions (e.g. problem solving ability) of cognitive performance (p<0.05)

SEROQUEL is licensed in 46 countries for the treatment of mania associated with bipolar disorder, including the US and across Europe. SEROQUEL has been licensed for the treatment of schizophrenia since 1997 and is available in 81 countries. To date, over 7 million people have been prescribed SEROQUEL worldwide.

AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of over $18.8 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, oncology, cardiovascular, neuroscience and respiratory products. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index.

In Neuroscience, AstraZeneca is dedicated to providing medicines that have the potential to change patients' lives. The company already markets several products including SEROQUEL, one of the fastest growing global antipsychotics with proven efficacy and a favourable side effect profile; and ZOMIG, a reliable migraine therapy and a leader within the triptan market. The Neuroscience pipeline includes leading approaches for the treatment of depression and anxiety, overactive bladder, dementia and stroke, pain control and anaesthesia.

Contact information

Louise Marland at AstraZeneca
Tel: +44 1625 510782
Mobile: +44 7900 607794
louise.marland@astrazeneca.com

Lisa O'Sullivan at Shire Health International
Tel: +44 207 471 1515
Mobile: +44 7765 848 795
Lisa.o'sullivan@shirehealthinternational.com

Carla Burigatto at AstraZeneca
Tel: +1 302 886 5953
Mobile: +44 610 457 2178
carla.burigatto@astrazeneca.com