Posted by ed_uk on February 27, 2006, at 17:37:36 [reposted on February 27, 2006, at 19:49:05 | original URL]
In reply to Re: Unhealthy Zyprexa » ed_uk, posted by Emme on February 27, 2006, at 16:15:40
Emme,
Here is an extract from the UK official data sheet for Zyprexa.........
In placebo-controlled clinical trials (6-12 weeks duration) of elderly patients (mean age 78 years) with dementia-related psychosis and/or disturbed behaviours, there was a 2-fold increase in the incidence of death in olanzapine-treated patients compared to patients treated with placebo (3.5% versus 1.5%, respectively). The higher incidence of death was not associated with olanzapine dose (mean daily dose 4.4mg) or duration of treatment. Risk factors that may predispose this patient population to increased mortality include age >65 years, dysphagia, sedation, malnutrition and dehydration, pulmonary conditions (eg, pneumonia, with or without aspiration), or concomitant use of benzodiazepines. However, the incidence of death was higher in olanzapine-treated than in placebo-treated patients, independent of these risk factors.
In the same clinical trials, cerebrovascular adverse events (CVAE, eg, stroke, transient ischaemic attack), including fatalities, were reported. There was a 3-fold increase in CVAE in patients treated with olanzapine compared to patients treated with placebo (1.3% versus 0.4%, respectively). All olanzapine- and placebo-treated patients who experienced a cerebrovascular event had pre-existing risk factors. Age >75 years and vascular/mixed type dementia were identified as risk factors for CVAE in association with olanzapine treatment. The efficacy of olanzapine was not established in these trials.
Ed
poster:ed_uk
thread:613972
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20060202/msgs/613983.html