Symbyax: News and Lawsuits

Symbyax is a drug that treats bipolar depression. Some doctors also prescribe Symbyax to patients with treatment-resistant depression. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the medication for bipolar depression in 2003. In 2009, the FDA approved the drug for depression.

Symbyax combines two popular drugs: Zyprexa (olanzapine) and Prozac (fluoxetine). It is the only drug for treatment-resistant depression that doesn't require the patient to take a separate antidepressant.

Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug. Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Symbyax contains both of these medications.

One of Symbyax's major rivals is Bristol Myers Squibb's Abilify. Eli Lilly and Company manufactures Symbyax. It markets the drug to patients suffering from depressive episodes of bipolar disorder. Experts suggest clinicians use the drug only in extreme cases, such as nursing home residents and children with severe behavioral disorders.

Who Should Avoid Symbyax?

According to many studies, doctors should not prescribe Symbyax to young patients or older adults with dementia-related psychosis. Unfortunately, many older patients with schizophrenia exhibit the same symptoms as people with bipolar disorder.

The following people should avoid Symbyax:

• Children
• Adolescents
• Older patients
• People taking antidepressants or migraine medications

For example, people who take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) should not take Symbyax.

In 2006, the FDA issued a public health advisory about the use of Symbyax and other antidepressants. According to the FDA, there are risks to taking Symbyax with SSRIs (such as fluoxetine found in Symbyax) and triptans (used to treat migraine headaches). The risks include a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome.

Adverse Health Effects of Symbyax

Symbyax has several adverse side effects. Some of these can be dangerous — even life-threatening. If you suffer these adverse events, you should talk to your doctor about switching medications. You may also need to speak to a personal injury lawyer about filing a product liability lawsuit.

The side effects of Symbyax include:

• Weight gain
• Increased appetite
• Dry mouth
• Hyperglycemia
• Hyperlipidemia/high cholesterol
• Tardive dyskinesia
• Drowsiness
• Blurred vision
• Tremors

Besides these severe side effects, patients taking Symbyax are also at risk of developing the following:

• Increase in blood sugar or diabetes
• Increase in suicidal thoughts and behaviors
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
• Increased risk of death in older patients with dementia-related psychosis

The risk of suicidal thoughts is common in patients under 24 years of age. This is troubling because young people with mental health conditions are already at a higher risk of suicide.

Adverse Health Consequences and Symbyax Lawsuits

Millions of Americans have a mental illness. This explains why there are so many prescription drugs on the market. Unfortunately, most of these drugs have serious side effects. These adverse events can be quite severe and can even lead to death.

Over the years, the FDA has warned the public about the risks of Symbyax. Also, many plaintiffs have sued after experiencing severe health consequences from taking Symbyax. Below, we'll discuss news about Symbyax and Symbyax litigation in the U.S.

Young Symbyax Patients May Have Suicidal Thoughts

In 2013, the FDA published a detailed warning that Symbyax may cause suicidal thoughts in children and young adults. This is especially true for people with a family history of bipolar disorder. In 2004, the FDA ordered Eli Lilly to add a black box warning about this risk.

According to the FDA's alert, children and adolescents under 24 are most vulnerable to having suicidal thoughts. The risk is highest during the first few months of treatment.

Symbyax and Increased Risk of Rare Skin Disease

In May 2016, the FDA ordered drug manufacturers to add a new boxed warning to all drugs containing olanzapine. According to the FDA, these drugs cause a rare condition, "Drug Reactions with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms" (DRESS). The FDA alert targeted several prescription drugs, including Symbyax, Zyprexa, and Relprevv.

DRESS causes your body to produce high levels of white blood cells. This leads to inflammation and swelling. The skin condition spreads throughout your body. It affects the:

• Liver
• Kidneys
• Lungs
• Heart
• Pancreas

In severe cases, DRESS can be fatal. It is critical to know the risks of taking Symbyax before taking this medication.

Risk of Congenital Disabilities if Pregnant Women Take Symbyax

Pregnant women who take Symbyax are at risk of having babies with congenital disabilities.

Infants born to pregnant women taking Symbyax are at risk of the following conditions:

• Spina bifida
• Heart and lung defects
• Skull and brain defects
• Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
• Cleft palate
• Premature birth

All these are serious and can lead to death. If you're pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, avoid taking this drug. Your doctor can discuss other treatment options to help protect you and your child.

Can You Sue if You Suffer Harm from Taking Symbyax?

Pharmaceutical companies must ensure their prescription medications are safe. They must also include warnings about side effects in their prescribing information. They may be liable for any injuries if they fail to do this.

If you believe a drug manufacturer withheld information about risk factors or dangerous side effects, you can sue them. You can only file a legal claim if you got hurt. It's not enough that a drug is dangerous. Your personal injury lawyer must show that the drugmaker's failure to warn caused you harm.

If you're able to prove that the drug company is liable for your injuries, you may recover the following types of damages:

• Compensation for medical bills and future medical expenses
• Damages for pain and suffering
• Punitive damages

Judges rarely order a defendant to pay punitive damages. But, the odds of this happening in a dangerous drug case are higher than they are in other injury cases. The drug company knows it has a duty to warn.

Drug companies are in the best position to determine whether their drug has dangerous side effects. They are also best positioned to warn the public about these effects.

Contact an Attorney for Help

Contact a product liability attorney if you or your loved one become sick after taking Symbyax. You may have a valid legal claim against the drug manufacturer, pharmacy, or doctor. It all depends on the facts of your case and the nature of your injuries.