A warning is to be added to the printed labels for a common antipsychotic drug in the US, in news that may affect patients and doctors in this country.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said this week that AstraZeneca will be adding extra information to the packaging of Seroquel.

This is because cardiac arrhythmia has been recorded in 17 people who also took the drug alongside other medication.

Seroquel will now feature a warning that states it "should be avoided" in combination with at least 12 other medicines.

However, Sandy Walsh from the FDA has insisted the move is a precaution and not a complete ban, as a number of the affected patients had actually exceeded the stated dose.

This comes after it was announced that a panel is to be set up by the FDA in the US to examine the safety of a number of common osteoporosis drugs.

Denny Bros Ltd, 20 July 2011