Zyprexa and Diabetes

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..http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/EdmontonSun/News/2005/03/08/953731-sun.html"Lawsuit launched over antipsychotic drug"KATE DUBINSKI, EDMONTON SUNTue, March 8, 2005Two Albertans who took the antipsychotic drug Zyprexa

and then developed diabetes have launched a lawsuit

against drug giant Eli Lilly & Co. A third person - the

spouse of a man who claims he developed diabetes after

taking the drug - is also named as a plaintiff in the lawsuit.The suit alleges the company, which makes and distributes

Zyprexa, knew about complications with the drugs and

failed to warn patients and physicians.Zyprexa is used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder,

depression, anorexia and Alzheimer's.The suit is seeking $900 million in damages."This is a serious problem, because Zyprexa is

still on the market," said the plaintiffs' lawyer,

Colin son."The British and Japanese had serious problems

with it, and it's quite (strange) as to why it hasn't

been taken seriously here."According to the suit, the Japanese Ministry of

Health issued a safety alert about the drug's links

to diabetes in 2002, and contraindicated the drug

for use in patients with diabetes or a history of diabetes.The suit also claims that Britain ordered Eli Lilly to

revise its Zyprexa package to include information

about 40 cases of hyperglycemic abnormalitiesassociated with the drug."There is not what I would call 'black box' warning

given to doctors about this drug," son said.

"The maker still hasn't seen enough."The suit also lists several studies which have linked

Zyprexa to diabetes and diabetes-related diseases.The action has yet to be certified as a class action suit.

Similar actions have been launched in Ontario, B.C. and

Quebec.=======

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