That also is creating doubts about whether Pristiq will be approved as an antidepressant, a major concern since Wyeth's top seller, the antidepressant Effexor XR, is expected to go generic next year.
"AstraZeneca hopes to market Seroquel XR to the more than 20 million Americans suffering from depression or anxiety, but its side effects could give regulators pause, " says Moroney.
Quillivant XR received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on September 27, 2012, and is expected to be available in pharmacies in the U.S. in January 2013.