Zyprexa Safety

Zyprexa safety concerns have existed since this drug was first approved by the FDA in 1996. Some experts argue that Zyprexa safety concerns should have been addressed prior to this drug's approval. Pre-marketing clinical trial results, available only to the FDA and Eli Lilly (the drug's maker), indicated that nearly two-thirds of the trial participants were unable to complete pre-market studies because of serious complications associated with this drug.

As many as twenty-two percent of all participants in pre-marketing trials suffered a "serious adverse event" while taking this drug, and yet Zyprexa safety was never adequately questioned. This drug was approved for use in the United States and quickly became one of the best selling atypical antipsychotic medications on the market. Zyprexa was approved to treat the unfavorable symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Many experts argue that there should have been more concern about Zyprexa safety prior to its approval.

Zyprexa safety concerns were publicly announced in 2000 by the Australian government after finding over three hundred cases of Zyprexa side effects in their country. In the following year, an article published by the American Medical Association claimed that people taking Zyprexa were ten times more likely to develop diabetes compared to the general population. Both the British and Japanese governments issued strong warnings about Zyprexa safety as early as 2002. The FDA took another year to publicly acknowledge mounting Zyprexa safety concerns.

In 2002, Duke University published a major study which gave credence to the mounting concern about Zyprexa safety. Duke researchers found nearly three hundred cases of patients who developed diabetes after taking Zyprexa. Of these patients, more than three-quarters developed diabetes within six months of commencing Zyprexa treatment. In addition to developing diabetes, one hundred of these patients also developed ketoacidosis, a serious complication of diabetes. Twenty two people developed pancreatitis, another seriously fatal complication associated with diabetes and Zyprexa safety risks. Twenty three patients in the Duke study died as a result of Zyprexa related complications.

Despite evidence that Zyprexa causes serious and life threatening side effects, neither Eli Lilly nor the FDA have adequately addressed Zyprexa safety concerns. Eli Lilly has allowed their dangerous and potentially lethal product to remain on the market despite serious Zyprexa safety risks. Lawsuits have already been filed against Eli Lilly for their negligent marketing of this dangerous product. In 2004 a class action lawsuit was filed in the United States about the lack of Zyprexa safety and the serious risks involved in taking this drug.