Metabolic side effects will become standard black box warnings for adolescents taking olanzapine (Zyprexa) as a result of an FDA ruling. The new guidelines were discussed during an advisory meeting in June. Clinincal Psychiatry News reports that in December, "as a result of a comprehensive review of the weight gain associated with the atypical anti-psychotics currently underway at the agency [FDA], information about the metabolic effects of the atypical antipsychotics probably would be moved to the boxed warning of the labels."
The decision was based on side effects and not efficacy for treating schizophrenia or bipolar I, says Clinincal Psychiatry News.
"When deciding among the alternative treatments available for adolescents, clinicians should consider the increased potential (in adolescents as compared with adults) for weight gain and hyperlipidemia. Clinicians should consider the potential long-term risks when prescribing to adolescents, and in many cases, this may lead them to consider prescribing other drugs first in adolescents."On-going controversies around safety of anti-psychotic medication for children have been here and elsewhere.
Eli Lilly has made $40 billion on $10 a pill Zyprexa and it was way oversold and caused diabetes and in some cases sudden death.
Zyprexa was pushed by Lilly Drug Reps.
They called it the "Five at Five" (5 mg at 5 pm to keep nursing home patients subdued and sleepy) and "VIVA ZYPREXA" (Zyprexa for everybody) campaigns to off label market Eli Lilly Zyprexa as a fix for unapproved usage.
I am a living example of Zyprexa gone/done wrong was given it 1996-2000 off-label for PTSD got sudden high blood sugar A1C 14.7 in January 2000.The stuff was worthless for my condition PTSD and cost me thousands in co-pays gave me diabetes.
Posted by Daniel Haszard | January 22, 2010 3:49 AM--
Daniel Haszard