Approval for Bipolar Pill

A new formulation of the schizophrenia drug Seroquel has been approved in the United States for the treatment of both manic and depressive episodes of bipolar disorders, making it the first drug of its kind, the Associated Press reported.

Serouquel was previously approved in the United States to treat acute manic episodes associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The new FDA approval, announced Monday, allows the drug to also be used to treat depressive episodes.

Drug maker AstraZeneca PLC has applied for similar approvals in Canada and the European Union, the AP reported.