A court have found AstraZeneca not guilty in the case of their psychiatric drug Seroquel causing harm to users.

Ted Baker, 61, had sued the drug maker, claiming that the drug, which he was taking caused his diabetes.

The drug is approved to treat patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but is often prescribed by doctors for many off-label conditions.

The jury in the case deliberated for seven hours and returned a seven to one verdict in favor of the drug maker.

This is just the first bullet dodged by the drug maker, as it faces many more complaints over the drug.

The pharmaceutical company Novartis has announced that the schizophrenia drug Fanapt (iloperidone) is now available to adult patients.

Fanapt is an oral antipsychotic that is designed to be taken twice a day. It received FDA approval in May 2009.

Short-term clinical trials showed that taking the drug resulted in a significant improvement in symptoms, compared to patients on a placebo. The most common side effects were dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, nasal congestion, drowsiness, rapid heart rate, and weight gain.

The effectiveness of taking Fanapt beyond 6 weeks has not yet been studied, so your doctor will need to monitor you closely if he or she has you continue the treatment past that point.

The FDA has approved a long-acting version of the drug olanzapine (Zyprexa) for use in schizophrenia. The new version only needs to be given every two to four weeks, compared to daily doses of the current version.

Read more about the FDA's approval of long-acting olanzapine on Medpage Today.

People with schizophrenia follow many different paths of treatment, some effective, some not as effective. What has been your experience with the health care system since your loved one or you were diagnosed? What would have effected that path? Earlier diagnosis, different insurance options? What would you like to see more readily available? Visit the schizophrenia forum and share your thoughts with others!