Foreign Zyprexa News

Foreign Zyprexa News

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The global market for fast-acting, reliable, and safe pharmaceuticals has led to a revolution in international dependency on drugs such as Zyprexa. Unfortunately, the dangers of such drugs do not respect national boundaries, so an increasing number of people around the world find themselves afflicted with identical side effects. The United Kingdom and Japan have issued special warning about the side effects of Zyprexa, and urge their doctors to avoid prescribing it unless absolutely necessary. Less sophisticated regions around the globe lack appropriate agencies to monitor and prevent damage caused by large pharmaceutical companies, and thus the market continues to expand.

Australian News on Zyprexa

The Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee reviewed reports regarding several side effects of Zyprexa compiled from 2000. First marketed in mid-1997, Zyprexa was responsible for over 327 cases of negative drug side effects. Like its US counterparts, the Australian news studies showed an increase in white blood cell counts, convulsions, and the debilitating neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which causes fever, irregular blood pressure, and muscle rigidity.

The agency discovered many of the same reactions occurred during clinical trials in Australia that confirmed initial studies in the US. Furthermore, it noted that Eli Lilly & Co acknowledged seizures and coordination issues were a more than potential risk during Zyprexa treatment.

British News on Zyprexa

On May 2, 2002, the British Medicines Control Agency issued a report regarding the development of diabetes-related symptoms in patients undergoing treatment with the antipsychotic drug Zyprexa. This study found that not only did a larger than expected group of patients exhibited elevated blood sugar levels, but that the symptoms manifested much faster than could be adequately treated.

Consequently, the agency mandated that Zyprexa labeling must reflect the increased risk of diabetes and diabetic related conditions such as ketoacidosis, hyperglycemia, and hyposomolar syndrome. Curiously, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States remained silent, delaying action that quite possibly cost more than a few lives.

Japanese News on Zyprexa

On April 16, 2002, the Japanese Health and Welfare Ministry responded to several studies about the dangers posed by side effects of Zyprexa by issuing an emergency safety report mandating changes to the packaging of the drug. The Ministry cited a study in which reported an increase of hyperglycemia and death among patients who took Zyprexa for treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Consequently, the product labels for Zyprexa must include:

• Warnings to patients with diabetes or a history of diabetes
• Warnings to doctors about the risk of hyperglycemia associated with olanzapine, and
• Warnings that patients should be monitored for symptoms of hyperglycemia

After 2004, Eli Lilly & Co continued to deny their products significantly contributed to any increase in diabetic-related conditions.