Welcome to the Brown & Crouppen Zyprexa page. For almost a quarter of a century, Brown & Crouppen has been building a reputation for success with personal injury clients throughout Missouri, Illinois and the United States. As one of mid-America’s largest personal injury litigators, the firm has seen the number of clients suffering damage from dangerous drugs grow to critical levels. Our attorneys have focused considerable effort and resources on confronting pharmaceutical industry leaders who market unsafe drugs to hold them accountable for their negligence and their devastating impact on our client’s lives. We’ve partnered with some of the country’s premier drug litigation specialists to assemble a legal team that is second to none. Brown & Crouppen’s confidence, credentials and resources have helped thousands of clients win millions of dollars from the manufacturers and suppliers of unsafe drugs and products. We have successfully tackled prescription drug litigation cases including those involving Rezulin™, Fen-Phen™, Lotronex™, OxyContin™, Prempro™, PPA™, Ephedra, and Zyprexa™. Ron Brown, Terry Crouppen and their legal team have gained prominence by delivering the best possible service to personal injury clients and making a real difference in people’s lives through significant settlement offers and damage awards. Whomever the client, whatever the case, the Brown & Crouppen team provides the attentive, professional care and uncompromising dedication necessary to protect each client’s rights.

Zyprexa is the brand name for Olanzapine, a thienobenzodiazepine. It is considered an “atypical” antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996. It is thought that Zyprexa works by decreasing the effects of two chemical messengers in the brain, serotonin and dopamine. This medication is more effective and has fewer side effects than standard antipsychotic medications.

In 2001, the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry reported that the FDA had been received 19 case reports of diabetes linked to Zyprexa use. Of these patients, many were newly diagnosed with hyperglycemia. Some had developed problems within a week to six months of taking the drug, and one patient ultimately died. According to four medical agencies, people being treated for schizophrenia, manic depression, autism, dementia and other psychiatric disorders should be closely monitored for symptoms of developing diabetes, obesity or high cholesterol. In addition to Zyprexa, physicians were warned that patients taking Abilify, Clozaril, Geodon, Resperdal, and Seroquel should be closely watched for signs of developing problems that raise the risk of heart disease. Diabetic ketoacidosis is another life-threatening complication from Zyprexa that is marked by weight loss, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing and dehydration. Following a study by Duke University and warnings by British and Japanese health agencies, the FDA requested that Eli Lilly add a new warning label to Zyprexa outlining the drug's link to diabetes and other blood sugar disorders.

In February of 2004, Eli Lilly and Company notified doctors and psychiatrists that elderly patients with dementia face an increased risk of stroke with Zyprexa treatment. While not approved for use in elderly dementia patients, physicians still prescribe the drug on an “off-label” basis. Off-label use is defined as prescribing a drug in a different dose, for a longer period of time, or for a different medical condition than recommended in the prescribing information. In March of 2004, the FDA and Lilly informed healthcare professionals of a revision to the drug label's Warnings section -- for more information see: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2004/safety04.htm#zyprexa. The new labeling describes the increased risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes in patients who take Zyprexa. All manufacturers of atypical antipsychotic medications have been asked by the FDA to add the Warning statement to their labeling.

Zyprexa represents about one-third of Eli Lilly’s 4.3 billion in sales last year. While the corporation continues to enjoy their Zyprexa profits, vulnerable consumers continue to suffer from the known and seemingly constant discovery of new health risks associated with the drug. Brown & Crouppen believes that dangers of Zyprexa will increase as the drug remains in use at nursing homes and hospitals to treat the outbursts of the mentally ill and elderly. Having historically represented many victims of defective drugs, we also know that there are people suffering from the downside of Zyprexa use who have not come forward or have not associated their ill-health with the use of the medication.

Brown & Crouppen is backed by a team of lawyers who understand that large corporations and insurance companies must work to minimize liability in defective drugs and product claims to stay in business. A few of our attorney’s owe their unique perspective on product liability cases based on their previous work defending the large insurance companies that they litigate today. This experience gives our counselors the advantage of an in-depth understanding of how these large corporations work and how to work with them.

Zyprexa FAQs

1. What is Zyprexa?
2. What are the health risks associated with Zyprexa?
3. Does Zyprexa cause my diabetes?
4. What are the symptoms associated with Diabetes?
5. What is product liability?
6. What should I do if I have some of the symptoms associated with Zyprexa?
7. Is there a time limit on bringing a pharmaceutical malpractice or product liability claim?
8. What are the side effects of Zyprexa?
9. Has the manufacturer taken any steps to warn the public about the dangers of Zyprexa?
10. Should I contact a lawyer?

1. What is Zyprexa?

Zyprexa is the brand name for an anti-psychotic drug approved for the treatment of Schizophrenia, Bi-polar disorder, and other psychotic mental disorders. Zyprexa may be linked to diabetes, hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar levels), and diabetic ketoacidosis (a potentially fatal complication of diabetes).

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2. What are the health risks associated with Zyprexa?

Most of the health risks associated with Zyprexa involve glucose abnormalities. These include diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar coma, and hyperglycemia. Other health risks include white blood cell disorders and neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

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3. Does Zyprexa cause my diabetes?

Zyprexa has been linked to the early onset of diabetes, hyperglycemia, or other diabetes-related complications that can result in coma or death. Researchers identified 289 cases of diabetes in patients who had been given Zyprexa. Of these 289 cases:

• 225 were newly diagnosed diabetic patients
• 100 developed ketosis, a serious diabetes-related complication
• 22 developed pancreatitis, a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas
• 23 died
• 71% occurred within six months of starting treatment with Zyprexa

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4. What are the symptoms associated with Diabetes?

• Abnormal thirst and/or dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rapid breathing
• Extreme fatigue
• Constant hunger
• Slow-healing wounds
• Recurrent infections
• Blurred vision

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5. What is product liability?

Product liability is the body of law that provides for compensation for physical injuries resulting from defective and unreasonably dangerous products, such as Zyprexa, and from the failure of a manufacturer or seller to warn the consumer of product dangers.

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6. What should I do if I have some of the symptoms associated with Zyprexa?

If you experience any of the symptoms related to Zyprexa or suspect you might have a glucose abnormality, you should consult with a physician promptly. If you have taken or are currently taking Zyprexa and experienced glucose abnormalities including hyperglycemia, diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis or others, you should contact an experienced Zyprexa lawyer immediately.

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7. Is there a time limit on bringing a pharmaceutical malpractice or product liability claim?

Yes. Each state has its own statute of limitations establishing a deadline to pursue a claim. These limits vary greatly from state to state. Therefore, if you suspect medical negligence do not wait to consult an experienced Zyprexa attorney.

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8. What are the side effects of Zyprexa?

Following are some examples of the serious Zyprexa side effects:

• Diabetic coma
• Kidney failure
• Diabetes Mellitus - when the body is unable to process sugar normally or produce adequate insulin
• Hyperglycemia - elevated blood sugar
• Pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas
• Tardive Dyskinesia - an irreversible neurological disorder
• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome - a rare, life-threatening reaction to neuroleptic medication
• Ketoacidosis - when the body has severe deficiency of insulin

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9. Has the manufacturer taken any steps to warn the public about the dangers of Zyprexa?

The drug manufacturer, Eli Lilly & Company, have acknowledged the dangerous life-threatening side effects and the substantial management difficulties associated with Zyprexa use. The manufacturer admits that the drug is only approved for short-term treatment of schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder. Eli Lilly & Company have been recently warned by the FDA to make label changes acknowledging adverse events associated with use.

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10. Should I contact a lawyer?

The legal system can provide compensation for people victimized by the conduct of negligent drug manufacturers and other responsible parties. When an otherwise preventable serious injury or death occurs from the use of any prescription medication, a medical lawsuit provides an effective vehicle to obtain compensatory and punitive damages. If you have experienced any of the adverse side effects associated with Zyprexa, contact an experienced lawyer today.

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You should never discontinue using any medicine without first checking with your doctor.