A study conducted by the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, New Haven, Connecticut shows that certain atypical antipsychotic medications are directly linked with a risk of hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar. The research states that of the 647 patients tested for high blood sugar while taking certain antipsychotics (Clozaril, Risperdal, Zyprexa, Seroquel, and Geodon), 153 patients showed significantly higher blood sugar over the course of two years. According to the study, race, ethnicity, age, body mass index (BMI), and psychiatric diagnosis did not have any effect on the blood sugar levels of the patients. The study also proved that almost 1 out of every 3 patients taking the antipsychotic, who had originally thought they had a normal blood sugar level, would develop hyperglycemia.
The authors of this
study have stated that their found results should prompt the implementation of periodic screening even in large outpatient populations.
newsinfern.com reported on June 10th that Zyprexa distributor Eli Lilly had agreed to pay $690 million to settle claims based on allegations that prior to September 2003, Lilly had failed to warn those taking the drug that Zyprexa posed an increased risk of diabetes and hyperglycemia.
Zyprexa has been prescribed to more than 17 million people worldwide since it was first marketed in 1996. It became Lilly’s best selling medication, after Prozac lost U.S. patent protection in 2001, with annual sales of $4.4 billion or almost 33% of Lilly’s total sales of $13.86 billion.
If you or a loved one has been affected by the negative effects of Zyprexa, contact a personal injury lawyer like Jacoby & Meyers in Los Angeles, California.
To find more information on Zyprexa, go to FDA.gov.
Picture from www.lilly.com.
