NEW YORK, April 16, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Parker & Waichman LLP (www.yourlawyer.com), Douglas & London LLP and Hersh & Hersh LLP announce the filing of the first nationwide class action lawsuit against Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY), on behalf of all persons residing in the United States who used Zyprexa. The lawsuit was filed on April 16, 2004 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Zyprexa is currently the most popular atypical antipsychotic medication and is Eli Lilly and Company's best-selling pharmaceutical. Zyprexa has been linked to serious side effects including diabetes, hyperglycemia and pancreatitis. For information on Zyprexa side effects and this class action lawsuit please visit www.zyprexa-side-effects.com.
The class action lawsuit seeks relief for Zyprexa patients who have already been diagnosed with side effects as well as compensation for medical testing for all patients who have used Zyprexa in the United States. Three plaintiffs who have been diagnosed with serious injuries have been named in the lawsuit. All of the plaintiffs developed diabetes after taking Zyprexa and one plaintiff developed pancreatitis.
Last year, the FDA requested that Eli Lilly and Company update its product labeling for Zyprexa to include a warning about hyperglycemia and diabetes. Additionally, the British Medical Control Agency and the Japanese Health and Welfare Ministry have both warned about the risk of diabetes in patients who are prescribed Zyprexa. In 2002, a study at Duke University showed a connection between Zyprexa and diabetes. This study documented nearly 300 cases of diabetes in people using Zyprexa.
Zyprexa was approved for the treatment of schizophrenia in 1996 and for the treatment of bipolar mania in 2000. It is part of a new generation of antipsychotics known as atypicals, which include Seroquel, Risperdal, Abilify, Clozaril, and Geodon. Ironically, the primary advantage of the newer atypical antipsychotic medications was supposed to be a lower incidence of side effects than the conventional antipsychotics introduced in the 1950s (Haldol, Thorazine, Prolixin, Navane, Stelazine, Trilafon, and Mellaril).
More information on Zyprexa side effects is available at www.zyprexa-side-effects.com. Current and former Zyprexa users can visit this site to request a free legal evaluation. For more information on Parker & Waichman, LLP please visit http://www.yourlawyer.com or call 1-800-LAW-INFO.