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| |  Zyprexa Schizophrenia Drug Approved in Canada TORONTO, Nov. 1, 1996 -- A breakthrough treatment for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, with fewer side effects than existing therapies, has been approved for use in Canada. Zyprexa, researched and developed by Eli Lilly, is effective against all major symptoms of schizophrenia without causing the often crippling side effects caused by currently used treatments. The new medication is the latest important treatment for mental illness to be introduced by Eli Lilly, the company that discovered and manufactures the widely-used antidepressant Prozac. "Zyprexa represents a major advance in helping people with schizophrenia regain control of their lives," said Dr. Barry Jones, associate vice-president of research and development for Eli Lilly Canada, and clinical professor of psychiatry at McMaster University. "The clinical trials showed this medicine is effective against all major groups of symptoms of schizophrenia, yet it is safer to take than currently used drugs. Equally important, Zyprexa does not cause the devastating side effects that so often cause people with this disease to stop taking the most commonly used medications." Schizophrenia is a biologically-based disease of the brain. Contrary to popular myth, it is not a split personality but is characterized by a split from reality. People with schizophrenia experience three major types of symptoms: positive or psychotic symptoms include delusions and hallucinations; negative or deficit symptoms are manifested in diminished emotions, social withdrawal and low motivation; and affective or mood symptoms which cause patients to become acutely depressed, even to the point of suicide. One out of 10 people with schizophrenia commits suicide. Zyprexa is the first medication to be introduced with the clinical data showing that it is effective against all three types of symptoms. "After decades of limited options, the arrival of Zyprexa and other newer antipsychotics now permits us to do more than just control the most alarming symptoms of schizophrenia -- they allow us to both improve the quality of care, and even to reduce the long-term severity of the disease." said Dr. Len Cortese, assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at University of Western Ontario and consulting psychiatrist at London Health Sciences Centre in London, Ontario. "It is particularly important that these improved treatments are made available as soon as possible after diagnosis. The clinical evidence is clear that this type of early intervention can improve the prognosis, and change the course of the disease for the better." Reducing the side effects of schizophrenia medications is a key challenge, since most currently used drugs relieve only some of the major symptoms of the disease, and at a high price. The majority of Canadians with schizophrenia are still treated with older medicines, many developed in the 1950's that, while effective against positive symptoms, cause a myriad of debilitating side effects. The most serious side effects include extrapyramidal syndrome (EPS) events -- severe movement disorders such as those seen in patients with Parkinson's disease. About 30 to 40 per cent of patients treated with conventional antipsychotics develop neurological disorders (tardive dyskinesia), and in one-third of these patients, it is irreversible. In addition to motor side effects, problems like severe sedation, cardiovascular effects and sexual dysfunction are also present. Many people on these older drugs simply stop taking their medication, leading to relapses that can result in devastating psychotic episodes, and a worsening long-term prognosis. "From the clinical data, it would appear that Zyprexa will be helpful not only with newly diagnosed cases, but potentially also with those who have had only limited success with other medications," said Ann Braden, President of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada. Ms. Braden welcomes the arrival of new treatment options, and hopes they will help improve the overall standard of care. "It is becoming increasingly clear that, for many people with schizophrenia, the best possible care and the most humane care involves treatment with newer medicines. Our challenge, on behalf of all Canadians with schizophrenia, is to impart that message to clinicians and provincial governments across Canada." Like all antipsychotic medicines, Zyprexa may cause some side effects. However, the new drug's side effects are milder than those of older medications, and in clinical trials far fewer people were forced to stop treatment as a result of adverse reactions. The most common side effects that occurred more frequently than with placebo were drowsiness, dizziness and weight gain. Health Canada's Health Protection Branch expeditiously reviewed and approved this important new therapy, as have the regulatory bodies of other industrialized countries. Eli Lilly Canada is one of the leading researched-based pharmaceutical companies in Canada. An integral part of world-wide Eli Lilly and Company, Eli Lilly Canada is involved in the discovery, development and production of prescription medicines for Canadians.
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