Zyprexa News
Zyprexa dangers confirmed
- January 4, 2006
A Connecticut study has confirmed that people taking antipsychotic medications like Zyprexa are at a significantly increased risk of developing hyperglycemia, or elevated levels of blood sugar, which can lead to diabetes and other health complications. In this study, researchers at the VA Connecticut Health Care System monitored the occurrence of undiagnosed hyperglycemia in 647 patients taking one of the following antipsychotic medications: Zyprexa, Risperdal, Clozaril, Geodon, and Seroquel.
Over the course of two years, 153 patients, or 24 percent of the subjects studied, developed hyperglycemia. An additional five percent of the patients studied had an extreme elevation of their blood glucose levels. Clozaril seemed to be the most dangerous of all antipsychotics in causing adverse changes to blood glucose levels. The researchers found that race, ethnicity, age, body mass index (BMI), and psychological health were not determining factors in the development of hyperglycemia. Because one-third of all patients taking drugs like Zyprexa develop hyperglycemia, researchers believe that doctors should conduct periodic screening for all patients taking antipsychotic medications.
The side effect risks of hyperglycemia and diabetes have been associated with antipsychotics like Zyprexa for many years. In 2001, the FDA had received reports that at least 19 Zyprexa users had developed diabetes because of using this prescription drug. Yet neither the FDA nor Zyprexa's maker Eli Lilly took any steps to communicate these risks to consumers. An eight-year study, published in 2003, indicated that hundreds of Zyprexa users had developed hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, and diabetes due to Zyprexa side effects. At least two dozen people died while taking this top-selling drug.
In 2005, Eli Lilly settled approximately 8,000 claims filed on behalf of patients who have been seriously injured by Zyprexa side effects. The company agreed to pay $690 million to settle 75 percent of the pending Zyprexa claims months before they were scheduled to go to trial. The company risked much more in liability at the prospect of fighting each Zyprexa lawsuit in court.
Despite the innumerable dangers associated with Zyprexa and similar medications, these drugs remain on the market. Zyprexa, which accounts for one-third of Eli Lilly's revenue, has been prescribed to 17 million people worldwide since its FDA approval in 1996. Studies continue to confirm the serious risks associated with Zyprexa, yet the drug remains available and widely prescribed.
For more information on Zyprexa lawsuits, please contact us to confer with a Zyprexa attorney.
If you have suffered serious Zyprexa side effects and would like more information contact us to confer with a Zyprexa lawyer.
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Whether
or not Zyprexa and similar atypical antipsychotic drugs are linked to diabetes
is a question that will be answered in the Zyprexa lawsuits that have been
filed. Patients have reported deadly instances of Zyprexa side effects. There
are 288 reported cases of Zyprexa diabetes cases, including 23 deaths.
Zyprexa maker Eli Lilly has enjoyed large success with Zyprexa, with the drug
currently the world’s top selling schizophrenia medication. The Zyprexa
side effects causing Zyprexa lawsuits may begin slowing the company’s
current financial success. For more information on