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Patients With Schizophrenia Benefit From Switching To Seroquel (Quetiapine) LONDON, ENGLAND -- March 28, 2003 -- Important new data published today in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, show the atypical antipsychotic, Seroquel (quetiapine) to be highly effective and well tolerated in patients with schizophrenia who have had an inadequate response or tolerability issues with their previous antipsychotic treatment. This adds to the wealth of data supporting the clinical effectiveness of Seroquel for treating the full spectrum of symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia have a variety of responses to antipsychotic medications. Some show a partial response to treatment and continued to display clinically significant symptoms. A good tolerability profile is also a key factor in ensuring patient compliance and in helping to improve treatment outcomes. The results from the study, known as SPECTRUM, show that: · Significant improvements in PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) scores · More than seven out of ten patients switched to Seroquel had an improvement of ³20% in total on their positive and negative symptoms · Switching patients to Seroquel resulted in significant decreases in CGI (Clinical Global Impression) Severity of Illness (p<0.001) 1 · A significant improvement in the CDSS (Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia) score was seen in patients switched to Seroquel (p<0.001)1 · Symptoms were improved regardless of prior treatment which included olanzapine, risperidone, haloperidol and other antipsychotics.1 Author and lead investigator, Dr André De Nayer, Hôpital Ste-Therese, Belgium commented, 'These results support the dual approach of Seroquel in treating patients with schizophrenia - treating the illness effectively while minimising side effects. Patients with schizophrenia who switched to Seroquel experienced improvements across a range of symptoms as well as a reduction in EPS and other side effects.' He continued, 'These data provide clinicians and patients with the hope that, with a treatment like Seroquel, we now have a treatment which is not only effective as a first line therapy but is also effective in patients whose previous treatment has either not been effective or has caused debilitating side effects.' In addition to the improved efficacy seen in SPECTRUM, tolerability of treatment among patients was also improved with switching to Seroquel. The results showed: · A significant reduction in SAS (Simpson Angus Scale) following the switch to Seroquel (p<0.001) o Patients switched from olanzapine or risperidone and other antipsychotics had a significant reduction in SAS score (p<0.001) · A significant reduction in BAS (Barnes Akathisia Scale) score (p<0.001).1 The study, an international, open-label, non-comparative study, analysed the benefits of switching schizophrenia patients from olanzapine, risperidone, conventional antipsychotics and combinations of other antipsychotics in more than 500 patients. This 12 week study consisted of a 7 day switching phase to Seroquel (initially to 400mg/day), after which flexible dosing of Seroquel was permitted up to 750mg/day.1 The average dose of Seroquel was 505mg/day. Seroquel is manufactured by AstraZeneca and is currently approved in over 75 markets. Seroquel combines broad-based efficacy in the treatment of positive, negative, cognitive and affective symptoms of schizophrenia, while offering excellent tolerability. Seroquel is associated with an incidence of EPS and prolactin elevation no different to placebo across the full dosage range, a favourable weight profile, and no clinically important effects on QT interval in most patients. To date, over 4 million people have been treated with 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 top five pharmaceutical companies in the world with healthcare sales of over $17.8 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, oncology, anaesthesia (including pain management), cardiovascular, central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory products. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global and European) as well as the FTSE4Good Index. In CNS, AstraZeneca is dedicated to providing medicines that offer the potential to change patients' lives. The company already markets Seroquel, one of the fastest growing global antipsychotics with proven efficacy and a very favourable side effect profile; and Zomig, a reliable migraine therapy and a leader in the triptan market. AstraZeneca's R&D pipeline also includes leading approaches for the treatment of depression and anxiety, overactive bladder, dementia and stroke. 'Seroquel' is a trade mark property of AstraZeneca. Glossary BAS (Barnes Akathisia Scale) assesses the presence and severity of drug-induced akathisia. CDSS (Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia) assesses depression in patients with schizophrenia. PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) evaluates the presence/absence and severity of positive, negative and general psychopathology of schizophrenia. SAS (Simpson Angus Scale) measures the symptoms of parkinsonism or extrapyramidal side effects related to the use of antipsychotic medications. References: 1. De Nayer, A, Windhager, E., Irmansyah X et al. ( 2003) Efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine in patients with schizophrenia switched from other antipsychotics. International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice; 7: 1; 59 - 70 SOURCE: Shire Health International E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version