The drugmaker has filed an application with the FDA in hopes of receiving approval to market its antipsychotic - which is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder - for depression. Specifically, AstraZeneca asked the FDA to give its blessing for Seroquel to treat major depressive disorder as monotherapy, adjunct therapy, and maintenance therapy in adult patients, according to its statement.

In doing so, AstraZeneca opens the door to a potentially whole new population and, of course, untold additional sales dollars. This comes at a time when the newest generation of antipsychotics - which are called atypical and also includes Zyprexa and Risperdal, for instance - are already widely used. However, the drugmakers that sell these pills are under fire over allegations of improper marketing, promoting off-label use and, in Lilly’s case with Zyprexa, concealing side effects such as weight gain and diabetes.

At the same time, a new study suggests antidepressants are no better than placebo in most patients. Moreover, the pills are under siege over links to suicidal behavior and thought, which have prompted the FDA to issue Black Box warnings. This, in turn, created yet another controversy over the appropriate use and benefit of antidepressants, which AstraZeneca obviously hopes will spur doctors to consider its antipscyhotic as a salve.

The atypical antipsychotics are not without their own set of concerns, though. Seroquel, for instance, also carries a Black Box warning. And Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Abilify, which was just approved for children as young as 10 years old, carries a Black Box warning for suicide.

Hat tip to Furious Seasons