Zyprexa Lawsuits

The first nationwide Zyprexa lawsuit filed as a class action, was initiated on April 16, 2004, against the manufacturer, Eli Lilly. This Zyprexa class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of all people in the United States who have taken Zyprexa. The Zyprexa lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. This Zyprexa lawsuit alleges that Eli Lilly negligently distributes a drug whose life threatening side effects put thousands of patients at serious risk.

Zyprexa was approved by the FDA in 1996 to treat the adverse symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Doctors also prescribe this medication for a number of off-label uses including Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Zyprexa is currently the most popular atypical antipsychotic available on the United States drug market. Eli Lilly enjoys annual revenue totaling over 2.6 billion dollars from Zyprexa sales alone.

Researchers have linked Zyprexa to the onset of diabetes, hyperglycemia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome thereby creating enough concern and patient outcry to lead Japan, Europe, and most recently the United States to include warnings about the chronic side-effects and the sometimes-fatal Zyprexa side effects. Japan published safety warnings two years before the U.S. Consumer groups have decried that the FDA did too little too late to warn doctors and patients about the risks of hyperglycemia, diabetes, ketoacidosis, heart attack, and coma from taking Zyprexa.

In November 2001, the Journal of the American Medical Association, the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, and a Duke University Medical Center physician first linked the Zyprexa side effect of hyperglycemia in adolescents with the drug. FDA staff members published a report in the December 2001 American Journal of Medicine indicating diabetes as a potential Zyprexa side effect.

Most recently, the FDA has identified at least 384 reports of diabetes linked to Zyprexa, with the majority of cases appearing within six months of starting Zyprexa treatment. This has been a major focus in the Zyprexa lawsuits.

Consumer advocates have complained that the Zyprexa side effect warnings referencing diabetes, heart attack, coma, and hyperglycemia were buried deep within the adverse reactions section of the drug’s labeling where patients are less likely to notice the warning in the smallest of fine print than if it were more prominently displayed. The failure to give adequate warnings is one of the core allegations in the Zyprexa lawsuits.

Researchers have also found preliminary evidence that linked pancreatitis, a dangerous inflammation of the pancreas, as a Zyprexa side effect.

Of the 192 Zyprexa side effect cases, people using Zyprexa alone had 62 instances within the four antipsychotic drugs. The pancreatitis occurrences resulted in 22 deaths. A definitive link establishing pancreatitis as a Zyprexa side effect has not yet been established though the findings have raised concern.

If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered an injury or death as a result of Zyprexa call the Zyprexa lawyers of VanDerGinst Law. P.C. at (877) 786-1LAW (877-786-1529) or submit the free online case evaluation. The initial consultation is free of charge. If we agree to handle your Zyprexa case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if, and when, there is a money recovery for you. In many cases a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. So please contact our Zyprexa lawyers right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation. We can tell you if you have a case for a potential Zyprexa lawsuit.