Furious Seasons

December 20, 2006

The Zyprexa Chronicles: NYT Calls For Congressional Hearing

In an editorial yesterday, the New York Times called for Congressional hearings on the many allegations surrounding Zyprexa, among other things. As is CL Psych, I am dubious of what a Congressional hearing would achieve, aside from allowing Congresswo/men to bluster, liberals to whine about corporate power and so on. I am not interested in seeing off-label use of drugs restricted, but I am interested in seeing Big Pharma not marketing drugs for off-label use. Off-label use is best left in the hands of ethical physicians and informed patients.

There were also loads of letters to the Times over the paper's Zyprexa revelations. As well, the lawyer who made the incriminating documents available to the paper is now under a special court order to return the documents and to urge the Times to do the same. Which it won't, I'm sure. I get very tired of courts sealing much of the evidence in product liability suits, but whatever. Reducing the public's ability to know how drugs are developed, tested and marketed must be the law or something.

Posted by Philip Dawdy at December 20, 2006 10:40 AM

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Comments

My doctor wants to put me on Clozeril. I don't like blood draws, so I said no thank you. But then I thought that if we both go on it together, then maybe it would be OK. We could get blood draws together and be Clozeril twinsies. It would be fun! But he thought it would be better if I were to just take it. Humph. It's no fair! Why do I have to take all the medicine, and no one esle does? It's really not fair. I think my doctor should try taking some medicine. He should try it and like it.

Posted by: Gwen at December 20, 2006 11:17 AM

Zyprexa Zooming

Eli Lilly top drug Zyprexa had it's zenith or now zonked? Leaked documents don't convey the 'whole picture' but what is compelling is that zyprexa is the 7th some say 5th largest drug sell in the world and Eli Lilly's #1 by their own admission.

This is for a drug that won't get you "high" cost $2.50 a pill and only indicated for less than 1% of the population. Hello!Somebody in Lilly land is pushing zyprexa hard-Daniel Haszard (former 4 year zyprexa zonker who got diabetes)

Posted by: Daniel Haszard at December 20, 2006 11:18 AM

Hi Gwen,
I am not at all a doc, so don't read this as advice on what med to take, etc.
But I just wanted to say, that my daughter is on Clozaril since June, and though the blood draws are mandatory, she does it, and it is what helped her come home from the hospital loop she was in for a year.
Take care, and glad to see you here.
:)
--Stephany

Posted by: Stephany at December 20, 2006 01:21 PM

Hi Stephany!

That's really reassuring that Clozeril worked for her. Really reassuring. Maybe I should go on it too. What other side effects does it have beside blood draws? Tired? Restless? Anything like that? I'm really happy that your daughter is doing better. It warms my heart.

Happy Holidays!!!

Best wishes,
Gwen

Posted by: Gwen at December 20, 2006 02:53 PM

Gwen, Happy Holidays to you too! everyone has different results with meds, as you know, so I sure am not an expert to talk about them. The only side effect my daughter had at first, and then it went away in a short time, was drooling when she slept. Didn't last for long though.
For her, the Clozaril replaced a 6 year run on Zyprexa. She has not gained weight on Clozaril.
It's an old gold standard.
Warm regards,
Stephany

Posted by: Stephany at December 20, 2006 08:46 PM