Zyprexa Lawsuit: Your Legal Rights Explained
Women and men diagnosed with breast cancer after taking Zyprexa (olanzapine) may qualify for this lawsuit.
Wisner Baum is the first law firm to file a lawsuit alleging Eli Lilly knowingly concealed evidence that its antipsychotic drug Zyprexa causes breast cancer. Our attorneys represent over 165 people who allege long-term use of Zyprexa (generic: olanzapine) and other antipsychotic medications may significantly increase the risk of breast cancer.
The Zyprexa lawyers at Wisner Baum have a proven track record of success in holding drug manufacturers accountable for failing to warn patients and physicians about life-threatening side effects. Since 1985, our firm has won over $4 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients.
If you or someone in your family was diagnosed with breast cancer after using Zyprexa or its generic form, olanzapine, we can help you pursue justice and compensation through a Zyprexa lawsuit. Wisner Baum represents clients on a contingency fee basis, which means if our attorneys do not obtain a verdict or settlement for you, you don’t pay. Get started today by filling out our free case evaluation form.
Zyprexa Breast Cancer Lawsuit Update 2025
August 4, 2025: Zyprexa attorney Monique Alarcon noted in a press release that Eli Lilly allegedly “used the Big Pharma playbook” to deceptively market Zyprexa. According to ongoing litigation, Eli Lilly transformed a narrow-use schizophrenia drug into a multi-billion-dollar per year blockbuster by targeting extremely vulnerable segments of our population, all while hiding a breast cancer risk the company knew about for decades.
Read our recent press release here.
May 12, 2025: Wisner Baum Zyprexa lawyers filed an amended complaint in the case of Brown v. Johnson & Johnson, expanding the allegations against Eli Lilly regarding Zyprexa (olanzapine) breast cancer risks. The amended filing alleges Eli Lilly transformed Zyprexa from a limited schizophrenia medication into a billion-dollar blockbuster by targeting vulnerable populations, including children and elderly patients, despite internal knowledge of breast cancer risks associated with the drug.
The filing details how the company allegedly concealed clinical trial data and continued aggressive marketing while downplaying established scientific connections between hyperprolactinemia and breast cancer.
Read the amended complaint here.
April 23, 2025: Our Zyprexa attorneys filed a lawsuit in California alleging Eli Lilly knowingly concealed evidence that Zyprexa (olanzapine) causes breast cancer. This is the first case specifically alleging that Zyprexa causes breast cancer, and that Eli Lilly knowingly concealed the cancer link from consumers.
The complaint was filed on behalf of Bridgett Brown, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024 after taking brand-name and generic Zyprexa. Recent studies cited in the lawsuit show a significant increase in breast cancer risks:
Atypical antipsychotic drugs like Zyprexa were initially approved to treat severe schizophrenia. However, the lawsuit alleges antipsychotic drug manufacturers, including Eli Lilly, broadened their customer bases by gaining approval for milder indications and promoting off-label use, including attention deficit disorder in children and dementia in the elderly, profiting billions in the process.
“Eli Lilly took a narrow-use schizophrenia drug and transformed it into a multi-billion-dollar per year blockbuster by targeting extremely vulnerable segments of our population, all while hiding a cancer risk they’ve known about for years,” said Zyprexa attorney and Wisner Baum partner, Pedram Esfandiary.
“The science on prolactin-elevating antipsychotics like olanzapine has been clear for decades,” said Monique Alarcon, Zyprexa lawyer and Wisner Baum partner. “Eli Lilly had a duty to inform; the company failed, and now people across the country are suffering the consequences. We intend to hold them accountable.”
What is Zyprexa (Olanzapine)?
Developed by Eli Lilly and approved by the FDA in 1996, Zyprexa (olanzapine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication that works by altering dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain. The drug has been prescribed to over 20 million patients worldwide and generated $4.2 billion in annual sales for Eli Lilly at its peak.
Zyprexa (olanzapine) is approved to treat:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Treatment-resistant depression (in combination with antidepressants)
In addition to the approved indications listed above, Zyprexa may be prescribed in the following ways:
- Off-label for anxiety, insomnia, or PTSD
- Dementia-related agitation
- Long-term mental health management
Key Facts About Zyprexa
- Generic name: Olanzapine
- Drug class: Second-generation antipsychotic (SGA)
- Prolactin impact: Moderate elevation (Category 2 drug)
Can Zyprexa Cause Breast Cancer?
Several peer-reviewed studies link antipsychotics like Zyprexa to elevated breast cancer risk. Below are some of the key studies demonstrating the olanzapine breast cancer link:
Rahman et al. (2022)
This large, observational cohort study of 540,737 women found that women taking any antipsychotic drug had a 35% higher risk of developing breast cancer when compared to women not taking these drugs.
Crucially, the study also compared breast cancer risk across three different groups of antipsychotics: high, medium, and low propensity to increase prolactin. For drugs like Zyprexa (olanzapine), the breast cancer risk increased by 54%.
Pottegård et al. (2018)
This population-based cohort study reviewed first-time diagnoses of breast cancer cases in the Danish Cancer Registry over 15 years. The study found that long-term use, 1000 days or more, of second-generation antipsychotics like Zyprexa, was associated with a 52% increased risk of developing breast cancer.
Taipale et al. (2018)
This case-control study of over 30,000 women diagnosed with schizophrenia between 2000 and 2017 compared prolonged periods of antipsychotic drug use to those exposed for less than a year. Patients with at least five years of use had a 56% increased risk of developing breast cancer. Additionally, at least five years of use was associated with a 42% increase in lobular adenocarcinoma and a 136% increase in ductal adenocarcinoma.
In their discussion of previous literature, the study authors also noted that where previous cohort studies found no substantial increase in breast cancer risk associated with prolactin-inducing antipsychotics, their flaws were “self-evident,” including that the follow-up period in those studies was so short that the most exposed cohort in any of these studies had roughly one year’s usage cumulatively.
How Zyprexa Increases Cancer Risk
Zyprexa Messes with Hormones
Zyprexa is believed to work by blocking dopamine, a brain chemical that helps control mood. Dopamine also keeps a hormone called prolactin in check, so when Zyprexa lowers dopamine, prolactin levels shoot up.
Too Much Prolactin Can Cause Harm
Chronic prolactin elevation over time can cause the following:
- Breast cells multiply faster than usual, which can cause rapid and uncontrolled division.
- Old, damaged, and/or abnormal cells don’t die off.
- This creates an ideal environment for lumps or tumors, which may become cancerous.
Long-Term Use Makes It Worse
Studies show that using Zyprexa long-term gives prolactin more time to damage breast tissue. The longer someone uses the drug, the greater the risk becomes.
Eligibility for Zyprexa Lawsuit
If you took Zyprexa (or generic, olanzapine) and developed breast cancer, you may qualify for this lawsuit.
The fastest way to find out if you qualify to join the Zyprexa breast cancer lawsuit is to fill out a free case evaluation form and schedule a consultation with Wisner Baum’s legal team.
The evaluation questionnaire should only take a few minutes to complete. Once our Zyprexa lawyers receive your information, our legal team will promptly review the material and respond with the next steps.
Zyprexa Cancer Lawsuit – Potential Compensation
Your compensation in a Zyprexa lawsuit depends on your damages claims. These lawsuits may include economic damages, non-economic damages (pain and suffering), and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover any financial losses caused by the alleged harm. These are out-of-pocket expenses (like medical bills or lost wages) that can be proven with receipts, pay stubs, or other evidence.
Health Care Expenses
Zyprexa lawsuits cover past and future medical treatment costs, including:
- Hospitalizations
- Chemotherapy/radiation
- Surgeries
- Prescription medications
- Diagnostic imaging
- Home healthcare
Lost Income
Claimants may have to miss work due to the harm suffered as an alleged result of taking Zyprexa. Damages for lost income may cover:
- Wages lost while in treatment or recovering: If you took paid or unpaid leave.
- Reduced earning capacity: If you had to take a lower-paying job or work fewer hours due to your diagnosis.
- Future lost income: If your diagnosis prevents you from working in the future.
Other Costs
Many other expenses related to your diagnosis and treatment can add up over time:
- Gas or public transit fares to cover expenses for trips to and from hospitals, pharmacies, or other care facilities.
- Parking fees at treatment facilities.
- Family caregiver expenses if a loved one takes time off work to care for you.
- Childcare expenses if your children need care you can no longer provide.
Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)
Non-economic damages address intangible harms, like pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and more.
Physical Pain
- Chronic pain from surgeries/radiation burns
- Lymphedema and mobility limitations
- Chemotherapy side effects (nausea, neuropathy)
Emotional Trauma
- Anxiety about recurrence/metastasis
- Depression from body image changes
- Loss of intimacy/relationships
Reduced Quality of Life
- Inability to breastfeed after mastectomy
- Limiting hobbies/social activities
- Scaring and disfigurement
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be awarded to the plaintiffs in addition to the compensatory damages listed above. They are monetary penalties designed to:
- Punish the defendant(s) who engage in malicious, reckless disregard for safety.
- Deter similar harmful conduct from happening in the future.
What is the Deadline for Filing Zyprexa Breast Cancer Lawsuits?
The deadline to file a Zyprexa breast cancer claim varies depending on several factors, like the state you live in, where you were prescribed the drug, and more. To avoid being time-barred from filing a claim, our attorneys recommend that anyone who believes they may have a case start the legal process as soon as possible.
Previous Zyprexa Settlements
Eli Lilly and Company previously faced legal challenges, including multiple high-profile Zyprexa settlements spanning product liability claims, off-label marketing allegations, and deceptive marketing practices. These resolutions collectively exceeded $2.6 billion and reshaped regulatory oversight of pharmaceutical marketing and safety disclosures.
Zyprexa Product Liability Master Settlement (2005)
Eli Lilly resolved approximately 8,000 product liability claims in the United States through a $700 million master settlement agreement. The plaintiffs alleged that Zyprexa caused severe side effects, including weight gain, hyperglycemia, and diabetes, which were not adequately disclosed to patients or healthcare providers. The average Zyprexa settlement came to roughly $87,500 per claimant. Allegations were tied to inadequate warning labels and failure to communicate risks associated with long-term use.
Expanded Zyprexa Product Liability Resolutions (2007)
Eli Lilly settled an additional 18,000 claims for $500 million, covering federal and state lawsuits as well as unfiled claims. This resolution expanded upon the 2005 agreement and focused on lingering litigation alleging that Zyprexa side effects led to diabetes and cardiovascular complications. The company maintained that the drug’s benefits outweighed risks for FDA-approved uses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but acknowledged the need to resolve mounting legal liabilities.
Multi-State Marketing Practices Settlement (2008)
A coalition of 32 states and the District of Columbia reached a $62 million Zyprexa settlement with Eli Lilly over allegations of off-label marketing and deceptive practices. State attorneys general argued that Lilly promoted Zyprexa for unapproved uses, including dementia and generalized agitation in elderly patients, while downplaying health risks. The settlement required Lilly to reform its marketing practices, including prohibitions on promoting drugs for off-label use and a mandate to disclose clinical trial results transparently.
Federal Criminal and Civil Off-Label Marketing Resolution (2009)
Eli Lilly pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor violation of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and agreed to a $1.415 billion Zyprexa settlement, then the largest healthcare-related resolution in U.S. history. The U.S. Department of Justice alleged systemic off-label promotion for uses such as adolescent schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s-related agitation, leading to improper Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements. The resolution included $515 million in criminal fines, $100 million in asset forfeiture, and $800 million in civil payments to resolve False Claims Act violations. Whistleblowers, including former sales representatives, received $78 million for exposing the company’s marketing tactics.
Why Choose Our Zyprexa Breast Cancer Lawyers
The attorneys at Wisner Baum have won some of the nation’s most highly publicized prescription drug cases. Some of our results in litigation against major pharmaceutical companies include:
- $105 Million Pharmaceutical Settlement
- $63 Million Pharmaceutical Class Action Settlement
- $40 Million Pharmaceutical Class Action Settlement
- $28 Million Pharmaceutical Class Action Settlement
- $10 Million Pharmaceutical Class Action Settlement
We represent women diagnosed with breast cancer after taking the following antipsychotic medications:
Our lawsuits allege Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals (Risperdal and Invega manufacturer) and Eli Lilly knew about breast cancer risks linked to elevated prolactin levels, yet they:
- Omitted breast cancer warnings from labels
- Downplayed the drug's prolactin-increasing effects and associated cancer risk
- Continued marketing the drugs despite known dangers
- Prioritized profits over patient safety
We are fighting to hold these companies accountable for their wrongdoing. By joining the lawsuit, you can:
- Advocate for patient rights and safety
- Promote pharmaceutical industry accountability
- Seek compensation for medical care, recovery, and more
- Unite with others demanding justice
Our Zyprexa attorneys litigate your case on a contingency fee basis, which means if we don’t win, you don’t pay. We offer free and confidential case evaluations, so you have nothing to lose by contacting us to discuss your claim.
Let us fight for justice and compensation so you can focus on what matters most: healing.
