Zyprexa Lawsuit

What is Zyprexa?
Zyprexa, which goes by the generic name Olanzapine, is used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia (a mental disorder that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, strong emotional outbursts and a general loss of interest in life. Zyprexa is prescribed to adults and teenagers ages 13 and up. Zyprexa may also be prescribed to treat bipolar disorder (a manic depressive order where the individual displays episodes of depression, mania and other abnormal moods) in adults and teenagers ages 13 and up. Zyprexa belongs to a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. Zyprexa is effective by changing the activity of several natural substances in the brain.
Zyprexa comes as a tablet and an orally disintegrating pill. Zyprexa is taken once a day with or without foot at around the same time every day. Please take Zyprexa as directed; never take more or less of it or take it more frequently than as prescribed by your doctor. Failing to abide by your prescription directions will result in an increased risk of Zyprexa side effects.
Zyprexa Side Effects:
Zyprexa use may initiate side effects. Please tell your doctor or healthcare professionals if any of the following Zyprexa side effects are severe or persistent:

• Zyprexa side effects include drowsiness, restlessness and dizziness

• Unusual behavior, depression and difficulty falling or staying asleep are common Zyprexa side effects

• Weakness, difficulty walking, constipation and weight gain are also observed Zyprexa side effects

• Dry mouth, pain in the legs, back, joints or arms are observed Zyprexa side effects

• Breast enlargement is an Zyprexa side effect

• And decreased sexual ability or late or missed menstrual periods are regarded as Zyprexa side effects

Some Zyprexa side effects can be more severe. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those located within the WARNING section of the packaging, please contact your doctor immediately:

• Changes in vision and seizures are classified as serious Zyprexa side effects

• Swelling of the hands, arms, feet, lower legs and ankles are severe Zyprexa side effects

• Unusual movements of your face or body require immediate medical attention

• Fever, chills, sore throat and other signs of infection are deemed serious Zyprexa side effects

• Fast or irregular heartbeat, hives, rashes and difficulty swallowing or breathing are classified as serious Zyprexa side effects
Zyprexa may cause other adverse reactions. Please contact your doctor if you encounter any unusual problems while using Zyprexa. If you experience severe Zyprexa side effects, you or medical professional should send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or via phone at 1-800-332-1088
History of Zyprexa Lawsuits:

Initiated in April of 2004, the first national Zyprexa lawsuit was filed as a class-action lawsuit against manufacturer Eli Lilly. This particular Zyprexa lawsuit was filed on behalf of all users in the United States who took the drug. The Zyprexa lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The legal action in the Zyprexa lawsuit alleged that Eli Lilly negligently distributed a dangerous medication, one that carried life-threatening side effects. Plaintiffs of the Zyprexa lawsuit were seeking compensation to offset the costs associated with their suffering; the Zyprexa lawsuit, if successful, would provide funds for pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages.

Zyprexa was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 1996 to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. In 2001, the Journal of the American Medical Association—the FDA’s Evaluation and Research Wing—linked Zyprexa with hyperglycemia in adolescents. Additionally, researchers have linked Zyprexa to the onset of neuroleptic malignant syndrome and diabetes. These side effects are the primary mechanisms that drive Zyprexa lawsuits.

More recently, the FDA has identified over 384 reports of diabetes being linked to Zyprexa use; the development of diabetes is the main point of emphasis in Zyprexa lawsuits. In addition to the link between the drug and the development of diabetes, Zyprexa lawsuits often claim that the warning signs were cluttered, buried deep within lengthy paragraphs.

If you or a loved one believes that you have been injured as a result of Zyprexa use, you must consult with a qualified product liabilities, medical malpractice or drug lawyer to initiate a Zyprexa lawsuit. If your lawyer can link your Zyprexa use with your injury or your development of diabetes, you will be entitled to a Zyprexa settlement. Zyprexa lawsuits are filed successfully if the patients can link your ailment or adverse reaction with proper Zyprexa use. Additionally, Zyprexa lawsuits were filed against the Eli Lilly and Company for mis-marketing the drug.

Zyprexa Settlement with the Department of Justice:

On January 15th of 2009, the Eli Lilly and Company pleads guilty and paid $1.415 billion for promoting Zyprexa for uses not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. This Zyprexa settlement included a criminal fine of $515 million--the largest sum ever distributed in a health care case and the largest criminal fine imposed on a corporation in the United States. In the Zyprexa settlement, Eli Lilly was also forced to pay up to 800 million in a civil settlement with the Federal Government.

This Zyprexa lawsuit was filed because according to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, companies must specify the intended use of products in their drug application to the FDA. Before approval, the DOA must determine that the drug is safe and effective for its intended use. When approved, the drug may not be marketed for off-label uses.
This Zyprexa settlement was affirmed after it was revealed that Eli Lilly expended significant resources to promote Zyprexa in assisted-living facilities and nursing homes—in this Zyprexa lawsuit, the Eli Lilly and Company sought to convince doctors to prescribe the drug to treat patients with depression, Alzheimer’s, dementia, anxiety and various behavioral problems, such as aggression, hostility and agitation.

In addition to the $1.415 billion civil and criminal Zyprexa settlement, the Eli Lilly and Company agreed to pay over $62 million to settle various consumer protection Zyprexa lawsuits brought 33 states.
Zyprexa settlements come in two distinct Zyprexa lawsuits: the first Zyprexa lawsuit seeks a Zyprexa settlement for the development of diabetes and other Zyprexa side effects that were not properly labeled on the drug’s box. Currently there are hundreds of these Zyprexa lawsuits being filed throughout the country—the Zyprexa settlement amounts are undisclosed or still pending. The second type of Zyprexa lawsuit seeks Zyprexa settlements for unintended or off-label use. These Zyprexa lawsuits may be filed against individual doctors or the Eli Lilly and Company. This type of Zyprexa lawsuits seeks Zyprexa settlements for the distribution of Zyprexa in a reckless manner. The Department of Justice Zyprexa settlement is a prime example of a Zyprexa settlement for off-label use.

Sources:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000161/

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/January/09-civ-038.html

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/UCM134700.pdf

United States National Library of Medicine "Olanzapine" retrieved from:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000161/