Zyprexa News
Zyprexa's Predecessors Dangerous Too
- December 1, 2005
According to a recent study appearing in the December 1 st issue of the New England Journal of Medicine , conventional antipsychotics may be even more dangerous than atypical antipsychotics. The latter has been the topic of heated controversy in recent years, due to the increased risk of serious and life-threatening side effects associated with these drugs. In light of the FDA "black box" warning added to drugs like Zyprexa and Risperdal, many patients have been switching to older medications. These drugs do not carry a "black box" warning, but research suggests they might be even more deadly.
Atypical antipsychotics were introduced in the 1990s and marketed as safer, more effective treatments for patients with schizophrenia, dementia, and related conditions. In early January 2004, Eli Lilly announced their top-selling drug, Zyprexa, significantly increased the risk of stroke and death in older patients suffering from dementia. An FDA study of over 5,100 patients discovered a 65 percent increase in the risk of death for patients taking Zyprexa compared to a placebo. This high risk of fatal Zyprexa side effects prompted the addition of the black box label warning to this, and all similar, medications.
According to pharmaco-epidemiologist, Dr. Philip Wang, older traditional antipsychotic medications, such as Thorazine (chlorpromazine) and Haldol (haloperidol), have a "significantly higher adjusted risk of death" compared to the atypical medications. Dr. Wang's conclusions are based on a retrospective cohort study he and his colleagues conducted involving nearly 23,000 patients taking traditional or atypical antipsychotic medications. According to their study, the risk of death in patients taking traditional antipsychotics is about 1.5 times greater compared to those taking atypical agents.
"Don't assume that either class of medications is safe," cautions Dr. Wang. He also says that people should not think that "lack of warning [on traditional antipsychotics] means a lack of risk."
The FDA has not ordered the addition of a "black box" warning to traditional antipsychotic medications due to limited data about their side effect risks. The agency is currently considering the addition of a stronger warning to these traditional medications. If you or a loved one is taking Zyprexa or one of the older antipsychotic medications, it is important to understand the risks associated with these medications. If you have been injured while taking Zyprexa or a similar drug, you may wish to speak with a qualified and experienced attorney who can determine the best way to protect your interests.
For more information on Zyprexa lawsuits, please contact us to confer with a Zyprexa attorney.
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