Lindsay Clancy trial highlights controversial off-label use of Seroquel for sleep

Lindsay Clancy’s ongoing murder trial in Plymouth Superior Court has turned a spotlight on her use of Seroquel, a non-controlled antipsychotic that doctors sometimes prescribe off-label for insomnia. Nurse practitioner Rebecca Jollotta first prescribed the drug to treat Clancy’s sleep problems, later increasing the dosage to address mood instability. Defense attorneys argue that a cocktail of medications, including Seroquel, may have contributed to a psychotic break, while prosecutors present the pills as evidence.

Psychiatric clinicians testified that Seroquel’s strong sedating effects differ from restorative sleep and can cause side effects such as sleepwalking, weight gain, and rare nervous-system reactions. The discussion recalls AstraZeneca’s 2010 $520 million fine for marketing the drug for unapproved indications, including insomnia. As the jury selection proceeds, the case raises broader concerns about off-label prescribing practices and patient safety.