Zyprexa

Zyprexa, an antiseptic medicine is used for the treatment of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Patients using Zyprexa develops hyperglycemia or diabetes. The consumption of this drug can also lead to neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a condition classified by elevated heart rate, muscle stiffness, confusion and fever that can even lead to death. NMS can be fatal. Another major side effect of Zyprexa is involuntary muscle movements. In 2005, Eli Lilly, manufacturers of Zyprexa announced to settle more then 80 percent of claims filed against it by consumers of Zyprexa.

Zyprexa over prescribed in Small Children

With more and more children consuming psychiatric drugs and other antipsychotic drugs, health care professionals reported that so-called “atypical” drugs, like Eli Lilly’s best-selling Zyprexa are harmful to children as they are over prescribed. This is disturbing information for the parents of children suffering from bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia.

Defining Atypical Drugs

There are two different types of anti-psychotic medications: atypical and typical. The consumption of these drugs modulates the dopamine neurotransmitter system in the brain. These drugs have lesser side effects than the “first generation” of antipsychotic drugs like Prolixin (Fluphenazine) and Haldol (Haloperidol). According to the manufacturers of Zyprexa, Eli Lilly, Zyprexa including other atypical drugs are wonder drugs and safer and effective than previous antipsychotic drugs which flooded the market. However, the consumption of these drugs causes severe side effects such as blood sugar, diabetes and pancreatitis disorder.

Initially, Health care professionals used Zyprexa and other atypical drugs (Clozaril, Abilify, Risperdal, Geodon and Seroquel) only for the treatment of schizophrenia. However, due to the flashy marketing and costly international ad campaigns and encouraging clinical trials pointing towards the drug’s success, doctors started to prescribe these drugs for the treatment of other mental health diseases. These ailments included manic depression, personality disorders, non-psychotic depression, and Alzheimer’s and childhood aggression. Unfortunately, doctors continued to prescribe these medicines even after the rising incidence of psychological disorders and schizophrenia diagnoses among children.

Though, there were initially declared as sensible substitute to the first generation of the antipsychotic medications, Zyprexa including other antipsychotic drugs were unsafe. Few of their negative side effects included diabetes mellitus, necrotic pancreatitis (a disease in which pancreatic cells dies) and blood sugar dysfunctions. In fact, over 30 patients consuming Zyprexa died of diabetes mellitus. Eli Lilly, manufacturers of Zyprexa settled about 7,000 cases filed against Zyprexa cases. The company has been facing legal actions filed by the families of Zyprexa users.

Legal Advice

If you child is prescribed Zyprexa and is experiencing serious side effects, contact your doctor immediately. A health care professional will get your child off Zyprexa and stabilize his health. Thereafter, you can seek the advice of an experienced pharmaceutical attorney who will help you in filing a lawsuit against the company. He will help you in receiving compensation for the pain and suffering, future medical care and past medical bills.