The Associated Press (AP) is reporting that Minnesota has joined many states seeking compensation from Lilly over the way it has marketed its popular anti-psychotic drug, Zyprexa.

Minnesota has joined several other states insurers, pension funds and unions accusing Lilly of concealing Zyprexa’s tendency to cause weight gain and diabetes and of marketing the drug for off-label uses.

The AP report notes Minnesota spent over $175 million through public health programs on Zyprexa prescriptions between 2000 and 2007.  The lawsuit helps the state learn more about the drug’s impact on Minnesota through the discovery process.  Lilly just recorded a third-quarter loss largely due to a $1.4 billion charge related to the investigation of Zyprexa marketing practices.

Zyprexa is a potent brain tranquilizer that calms hallucinations related to schizophrenia and bipolar mania; however, internal Lilly documents and e-mail messages indicate Lilly marketed Zyprexa off-label.  Zyprexa can cause severe weight gain and an increase in blood sugar in many patients.  According to the American Diabetes Association, Zyprexa is likelier to cause diabetes than most other medicines for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

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