Whatever the merits of Zyprexa® when prescribed to adults suffering from schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, the prescription of Zyprexa® to children for any purpose has always been controversial and ethically dubious. In truth, there is no substantial evidence to suggest that children should ever be prescribed Zyprexa® under any circumstance. It is simply not possible to make a reliable diagnosis of schizophrenia - the disorder for which Zyprexa® has proven most effective as a treatment - in children; yet, many physicians have prescribed the drug to children for this and other, "off-label" uses. Indeed, since it was approved by the FDA in 1996, Zyprexa® has been prescribed to treat attention deficit disorder, depression, and aggressive behavior in children, all uses for which the drug was NOT approved. Zyprexa® has also been used in children who suffer from persistent bad dreams and even to control children in foster homes.
Unfortunately, Zyprexa® produces the same adverse side effects in children as it does in adults. In particular, children may develop diabetes from Zyprexa®, in addition to experiencing an attendant severe weight gain. Children who develop diabetes from Zyprexa® not only suffer the immediate effects of that disease, but are also put at higher risk for heart attack and amputation of limbs as they age. Children prescribed Zyprexa® are also put at early risk of other dangerous conditions associated with the drug, including pancreatitis, tardive dyskinesia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Simply put, children who have taken Zyprexa® are subject to the same potential threats to their health as adults, but without any of the clear benefits that an adult schizophrenic might experience.
Although Eli Lilly & Company, the manufacturer of Zyprexa®, did not promote the drug as an appropriate treatment for children, it took no measures to prevent the drug from being prescribed in such cases, either. In labeling the drug, the company did not specify that it was dangerous for children to be prescribed Zyprexa®, nor did it properly detail the known side effects in children and adults. For the better part of a decade, Eli Lilly has profited from various off-label prescriptions of Zyprexa®, but none of the injuries resulting from these unapproved uses are so tragic as those that have been suffered by innocent children.
If you suspect that your child or children have developed diabetes from Zyprexa® use, or if your child or children have exhibited any ill effects from the improper prescription of this drug, it is vital that you seek qualified legal representation immediately. An attorney experienced in Zyprexa® litigation can help to assert the rights of children who have become unknowing victims due to Eli Lilly's unwillingness to disclose what it knew about the dangerous side effects of the drug.
Our attorneys have helped countless people obtain compensation for their damages from some of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world in dangerous drug cases. They have a special interest in protecting the interests of children who have been injured by Zyprexa® and would be please to evaluate your child's case without cost or obligation. Contact our law firm today to find out how our attorneys can help your family obtain the compensation - and the peace of mind - to which you are entitled.
Fill out the form below if your child or children have taken Zyprexa® and suffered adverse side effects, such as diabetes. Be as specific about your child’s case as possible.
Once all fields have been filled out to your satisfaction, click on the “submit” button.
You will be contacted by an experienced Zyprexa® attorney as soon as possible.