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Drug Safety Alert – Zyprexa
Two drug safety alerts have been published regarding
Zyprexa by the FDA. Zyprexa is an atypical antipsychotic
that is used to treat both schizophrenia and bipolar
disorder.
The first safety alert is regarding the increased
risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes in patients
taking this medication. Although the relationship
is not completely understood, epidemiological
studies have found a trend in the risk of treatment
of emergent-hyperglycemia related adverse events
in patients treated with atypical antipsychotic
like Zyprexa. For those patients who have already
been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus who are
started on atypical antipsychotics, they should
be monitored for increased difficulty with glucose
levels. In order to get a base line study and
more accurately monitor patients for the hyperglycemic
effects that have been reported, health care providers
are encouraged to get a baseline glucose level
prior to initial administration as well as continued
monitoring for hyperglycemia during therapy. Of
important note, not all patients hyperglycemia
has resolved when therapy was discontinued.
The other drug safety alert involves reports
that medication dispensing and prescription errors
between Zyprexa and Zyrtec. Zyprexa is marketed
by Eli Lilly and Company and Zyrtec is marketed
by Pfizer. Zyrtec is an antihistamine. These errors
have the potential of causing a relapse in patients
suffering from bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
The errors have occurred not only because of the
name similarity but also because both medications
are available in 5 and 10 mg tablets and both
are once a day doses. To help alleviate the confusion,
Ely Lilly has changed the 10mg label from ZYPREXA
to ZyPREXA. The institute for Safe Medication
Practices recommends that both the generic and
brand names of medication be printed on all prescriptions.
If you are interested in hearing more on this
topic or another medical topic contact us today
to set up an in house presentation. Other services
that we can offer related to this topic are:
Chart Review and Analysis: A review of
your clients’ medical history prior to treatment
to determine if the side effect discussed above
relates.
Medical Chronology: To get a clear understanding
of a medical diagnosis in relation to other treatments
that occur not only before but also at the time
if the incident in question.
Medical Research: To offer a better
understanding of the latest information on this
topic.
Expert Witness Identification and Location.
References
2004 Safety Alert: Zyprexa (olanzapine). Retrieved
July 2006 from http://www.fda.gov./medwatch/SAFETY/2004/zyprexa.htm.
2005 Safety Alert: ZyPREXA (olanzapine). Retrieved
July 2006 from http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2005/zyprexa.htm.
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