Class Action Investigation Launched into Zyprexa Side Effects

Zyprexa is a prescription drug used to treat psychiatric illnesses. This includes disorders like schizophrenia and Tourette Syndrome. Researchers are currently evaluating Zyprexa to treat other problems, like delusional parasitosis, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and various panic/anxiety disorders.

This drug can cause a number of serious side effects. On occasion, some subjects have the opposite reaction to the drug, experiences worsening symptoms of schizophrenia in what are called paradoxical effects. It may also produce other neurological problems. Additionally, Zyprexa can alter a patient’s metabolism, leading to weight gain and diabetes.

But the most serious reaction to Zyprexa is post-injection delirium sedation syndrome or PDSS. In PDSS, patients seem to absorb the drug too quickly (Zyprexa is usually administered as an intramuscular injection to allow it to slowly enter the bloodstream). In cases where the drug enters the bloodstream too quickly, patients may suffer from delirium and sedation. In some cases, this can progress to coma.

In the clinical trials of Zyprexa, PDSS was seen, but no deaths occurred during the tests. Zyprexa already carries a “black box” warning, the highest class of FDA-approved warning related to PDSS.

A protocol called the Risk Evaluation and Management Strategy (REMS) is used to mitigate the risks associated with Zyprexa side effects. Typically, patients suffering from PDSS develop symptoms quickly. Part of the REMS procedure is at least three hours of observation at a health care facility certified to recognize the signs of PDSS.

The most unsettling aspect of this development is that both patients had received treatment at REMS-certified facilities. Normally, PDSS symptoms show up in several hours, but these patients were released, and died several days later. This could indicate that REMS is not sufficient to protect patients. A Zyprexa class action lawsuit investigation is being launched to explore the possibility of proceeding with legal action against the makers of Zyprexa. Similar drug injury lawsuits have made the allegation that the manufactures knew – or should have known – about serious health risks associated with their products.

Such a Zyprexa injury lawsuit could further allege that warning, even a black box warning, was not sufficient to inform patients of the risks associated with a drug.

If someone you care about took Zyprexa, and went on to suffer from serious side effects like PDSS or died suddenly, your life has probably been completely turned upside down. Making final arrangements and acclimating to life without your loved one can present a huge challenge. But you need to remember that regardless of everything going on, you still have rights, and there are steps that you can take to regain control over your situation. Learn more about your options at the Zyprexa Injection, Heart Attack, Death Class Action Lawsuit Investigation and receive a free legal review of your case.