Eli Lilly & Co. said it has agreed to pay $690 million to settle about 8,000 Zyprexa lawsuits pending in the United States, over its alleged failure to provide adequate warning that the drug could increase a patients’ risk for developing diabetes.
“While we believe the claims are without merit, we took this difficult step because we believe it is in the best interest of the company,” said Sidney Taurel, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company.
Lilly said the agreement will also result in the dismissal of claims against physicians and other health care professionals named as co-defendants in any cases covered by this settlement.
The exact number of claimants covered by this settlement is unknown, but is estimated to be 8,000, comprising approximately 75 percent of claims identified to Lilly.
Most of the lawsuits claimed that before September 2003, the information in the medication label, which listed the risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes as an infrequent adverse event since 1996, was not adequately displayed. In September 2003, the FDA required label changes for all atypical antipsychotics to warn against this risk.
The agreement involves patients alleging they developed diabetes-related conditions from their use of Zyprexa. Patients who are not covered by the final settlement are those represented by attorneys who are not participating in the agreement in principle.
Lilly said is prepared to continue its vigorous defense of Zyprexa in the remaining cases.
Zyprexa is indicated in the United States for the short- and long-term treatment of schizophrenia, acute mixed and manic episodes of bipolar I disorder, and maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. Since Zyprexa(R) was introduced in 1996, it has been prescribed to more than 17 million people worldwide.
Hyperglycemia, in some cases extreme and associated with ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar coma or death, has been reported in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics including Zyprexa.
Lilly advised investors that it anticipates taking at least a $700 million pretax charge in the second quarter of 2005 to cover this settlement, as well as other product liability claims not covered by the settlement.
Zyprexa is Lilly’s top-selling drug.
(via PR Newswire)
17 responses so far ↓
Anthony // Jun 17, 2005 at 6:08 pm
What? I had a really good laugh at this joke.
WHY would Eli Lilly pay $690 million to settle a law suit that is without merit. If the patients are to blame for not following a good exersise and diet plan, then Eli Lilly should just prove it and not hand over all of that money.
By their handing over that much money, it makes them definetly look guilty!
Terry Walker // Jul 14, 2005 at 10:30 am
hyperglycemia, is one of the names that the term neurasthenia, The term was introduced into psychiatry in 1869 by G. M. Beard, an American neurologist. Used by Freud to describe a fundamental disorder in mental functioning, the term was incorrectly applied to almost any psychoneurosis and has been largely abandoned. This term (neurasthenia)has showed up on my Ontario governments billings by Dr. Thea Weisdorf, Dr. Chris Cavacuitti, and Dr. L. Mavrogiannis (under various other doctors names never his own name).
All ssri’s do the same thing, dubbed discontinuation syndrome. There is no cure aquatic exercise seems to be the only thing that control the spreading pain the mental deterioration continues. Dr. Weisdorf believed the ssri paxil was no more dangerous than a vitamin pill when she precribed it to me, all these doctors and more have abandoned me, also records of sessions that took place with Dr. Thea Weisdorf and her assistant student doctor Dr. Curtis Handford, have disappeared and many adjustments were made to other sessions with Dr. Weisdorf. There are people who can remain addicted to these drugs and go on fine, yet if you find a person who has managed to discontinue an ssri they all say; they can not under stand how these drugs can be given out. Doctors have killed and mained so many people from these drugs they continue to use the Ontario OHIP billing system for the professional deception. My medical file proove this. It seems once a person developes this horible disorder, the only kind of work they can do is work that does not require short term memory, repetative action or physical labour. re: dimentia, tartive dyskinesia, tartive dystonia. I said to Dr. L. Mavrogiannis of the Toronto Western hospital before he told me “Mr. Walker I am no longer your physician please don’t call me, Oct 31, 2004.
I could become a concert vocalist I been a singing member of Rainbow Voices of Toronto, Forte the Toronto Men’s Chorus and East York Barber Shoppers. Or I could become a Doctor in gerneral practice. The medical knowlegde on this subject that I have aquired since being abandoned by the Doctors of St. Michael’s hospital under the supervision of Dr. Phillip Berger who has gone in to hiding, his web site says he is in Africa yet friends of friends in our community say he is still working in down town Toronto.
Maybe this is why doctors have horible hand writing i.e. dystonia, dyskinesia.
Why are there session missing from my records; were the Doctors under the supervision of Dr. Berger told to keep the patients on ssri’s or other antidepressant should they develop serotonin syndrome. Dr. Berger commited St. Michael’s into helping me go after the Ontario Government, Federal Government and GlaxoSmithKline but when GSK has told Doctors to watch for it and they don’t take proper corrective action; the doctors are the ones at fault. Perhaps if I can ever get the rehabilitation I need, I can become a Doctor.
Terry Lawrence Walker, BBA, Certificate in Computer Studies, Specialist in Systems reconciliation.
gov // Jul 18, 2005 at 5:45 pm
anthony is a moron!! does not know the facts because when i started to gain weight i joined the ymca and still put on weight on a diet stupid fool needs his but kicked
Toshinoko // Jul 24, 2005 at 9:26 am
Studies show that most to all dieters don’t know what they are doing leading to inevitable weight gain!
Over // Aug 8, 2005 at 4:52 pm
This post is for those that dont undertsnd such as (anthony). 1st this drug causes diabetes thats the #1 complaint from those of us that have taken it. I can only speak for myself. I was an active person working 50+ Hrs a week a great Govt job. I was given this drug for something it was not even approved for by the FDA. exactly 60days from taken this drug I have developed not just diabtes that reguires shots dialy. but pancreantitis, High blood pressure, Hyertriglycirides, undergone 2 surgerys, and now have a host of other problems that are caused by diabtes making me now unable to work in any working function I am homebound and terminally Ill and I am young with a family and 2 small boys that I will not be able to see grow up, go to college get married. I will not know my grandchilderen. What Eli Lilly is doing is the utmost honorable for those of us that got the worse of this medication. My only problem is at this point is will the offers of settlement be worth it. if not my case continues in to a jury trial.
mary e. hair // Aug 18, 2005 at 2:01 pm
it really destroyed my ability to fubction on a daily basic,worst to come out of taking zyprexa for me were weigth gain and dibete,short of breath,weakness in my legs,joint pain and gee stomach pain to no end.i develope a stomach sore as a dark spot that were scallie and blotche,and then stomach attack of pain where any or everything made my stomach hurt,as to having to ball up into a fetus postion to try to releive the pain.vomiting occrred as well as dehydration and chronic fatigue,i were already having depression and this made me hallusanate and have dreadful dream.i were affarid to go out side or be in crowds and most of the time i were with dirrea,where i thought for sure i had cancer,but being taken to the emc room i were diganoaised with pancreatis,and gastristis and have had to suffer since of what i can eat or have enough strength to do anything,i have flare up so regularly,im on disability.
Silvia // Sep 1, 2005 at 3:36 pm
My brother just died from taking zyprexa Beware!!!!
Kim // Sep 8, 2005 at 8:43 pm
My faith in the mental health “industry”, pharmaceutical companies, and the FDA (who I like to call friggin dumb asses) is nill. They have harmed many. I hope many of these people who have been through so much will not only pursue legal action but will fight for change to make things better for others. Throughout my course with the mental health industry I gained over 50 pounds. I tried exercising, diet, healthy eating, and CONSTANTLY complained of weight gain to ALL my doctors. I developed type II diabetes over 2 years ago on Zyprexa. I guess we are the lucky ones, at least we weren’t given labotomies!!!! I have always worked (as a single mom , sometimes 2 and 3 jobs), never attempted suicide, abused drugs or alcohol. I’ve often wondered who was more imbalanced, me or the doctors. Well, good luck, fight the good fight!! I’ve been drug free, well except for my diabetes meds, high blood press pills, and cholesterol meds for over 2 years. Laugh, sometimes a sense of humor and faith is the best medicine we’ll ever receive!!
Kathi // Sep 20, 2005 at 5:48 pm
My father started taking Zyprexa when he developed Alzheimer-like symptoms. He was already Diabetic. However, his diabetes was fully under control with insulin and proper diet. Shortly after starting Zyprexa, his sugar levels were impossible to control. His physician (term used loosely) said he wasn’t trying hard enough to control his diet. Within a few weeks, he became unresponsive, and was taken to the hospital in what amounts to a diabetic coma. His temperature soared to 103 degrees, frying what few remaining brain cells he had. Six weeks later he died. Ignorant people shouldn’t try offering opinions. If Anthony finds this all so amusing, I suggest he try Zyprexa himself for the full experience. No, I wouldn’t wish this on even him.
Darren // Sep 24, 2005 at 4:58 am
I have been on Zyprexa for 6 years and before I was prescribed it I was 75kg
and now I am 96.5kg. I go to the Gym and have 5 weight training sessions each week and play baseball 3 times a week for 7 years I am still putting on weight. This drug Zyprexa is seriously dangerous to anyone’s health. All I suggest is to have your medication changed as soon before it is too late. Others medications that are high risk of diabetes are Symbax, risperdal, seroquel,abilify and clozaril. I am not Diabetic yet but I am seriously considering changing my medication, selling my car and
apply for a job at a gym. I have found sometimes at tea time that eating a medium size mango for sweets (not tin fruit) can sometimes cut the craving and supress over eating. Unfortunately it is only 40% effective. some nights I drink mineral water with some squeezed lemon juice. I hope this might help a little.
TINA // Sep 28, 2005 at 6:15 am
i HAVE A SON WHO IS 9 YEARS OLD NOW AND HE STARTED TAKEING ZYPREXA LAST DECEMBER WHEN HE WAS HOSPITIALISED FOR 11 DAY’S DUE TO BEING OVERMEDICATED BY ANOTHER DR. I MOVED TO ANOTHER STATE AND I JUST TRIED TO GET HI RX FILLED AND COULDNT FIGURE OUT WHY THEY WONT APPROVE IT UNLESS I PAY CASH FOR IT. AFTER READING ALL THESE COMENTS I THINK I NEED TO HAVE TESTING DONE ON HIM AND STOP THE MEDICATION IMIDENTELY. HE HAD ALSO TAKE RESPERDOL AND HE BECAME VERY SUSIDIAL, AND HE WAS LIKE HE HAD SEPERATE PERSONALITIES. HE BEAT ME LIKE I HAD NEVER BEEN BEATEN IN MY LIFE. MY GOD.. WHAT ARE THESE DR’S DOING TO PEOPLE.
TINA
WEST VIRGINIA
eli // Oct 2, 2005 at 1:58 pm
Can Anyone tell me Any good doctors and any good lawyers that YOU TRUST to in the Northern California area (San Francisco to Sac to Reno)? I have some major problems and I need all the help I can get. Thanks
Marcy // Oct 10, 2005 at 7:36 am
I started taking Zyprexa in 2001, I now have a problem with elevated blood sugar levels, My doctor just told me I have Hyperglycemia go figure I wonder what made this happen, Eli Lilly is at fault or they would not have settled 690 million. If I knew I was right I would have ben in court proving my case!!!!!!!
Tiffany Chisolm // Oct 12, 2005 at 12:01 pm
my mother has bipolar schizorphina and just yesterday after 5 years on zyprexa been diagnosed with diabites. I don’t know what to do or where to start somebody please tell me Im about to go crazy.
Ripped // Dec 3, 2005 at 9:25 pm
Ok here is the deal, I have been in this lawsuite now for 3 years promised big money in the millions. here is the reality. Do not think nor have any lawyer tell you otherwise. the only ones that is making money from us sick people that now has all this crap from taking this drug is the laywers. We get a crap offer of 10 thousand dollars give or take then minus the 40% the lawyers get leaves you with 6 thousand. Now how many cleints do these lawyers have 100’s so for math purpose’s lawyer has 100 cleints 10K for each cleint for a total of 1Mil. 0ut of that 1mil the lawyer has earned 400K and what do you get 6k there is no justice here at all.
So if you think your gonna hit it big its best you just pass this one by as the only ones who are making out are the lawyers. I will never get involved in such crap again.
craig larson // Dec 4, 2005 at 1:02 am
I also have a brother that just died in july went into adiebetic coma twice within two months and never came out of the second coma. HE WAS ORDERD TO TAKE ZYPREXA fom the state or valley mental health in utah or his disability bennift would be denied. also five yrs.on zyprexa and no one at valley mental health check him for diabetes I FEEL WHO EVER PERSCRIBES THESE DRUG SHOULD TAKE THEM TO THEN THEY CAN EXPERIANCE THE HELL MY BROTHER WENT THROUGH!
mad mom // Dec 5, 2005 at 12:31 pm
my son will never be the same he spent his 21 birthday in the hospital in a diabetic coma with a machine to breath for him and stayed on it for three months he is diabetic and has even more mental problems than before he took zyprexa its stupid how can they compensate him no amount of money will get him back the way he was. this has been the worst nightmare i will never wake up from!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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