'May make you feel like eating more food'

The Bonkers Institute for Nearly Genuine Research is the home of The Nearly Genuine and Truly Marvelous Psychoneuropharmacological Mental Medicine Show, an excellent "online gallery of modern and vintage psychiatric drug advertising." Recently the site posted a brochure aimed at kids produced by the British National Health Service, which caught the NHS apparently recommending off label use of an antipsychotic:

And speaking of non-approved uses, how can Britain's National Health Service produce a brochure for kids taking Zyprexa [a trade name for olanzapine] when kids are not supposed to take Zyprexa? "ZYPREXA is not for patients who are under 18 years," says the prescribing information. "Keep out of the reach and sight of children."

Are the healthy, active kids shown in the cartoons "befores" since 30 percent of Zyprexa patients gain 22 pounds or more, 16 percent, 66 pounds or more and some gain over 100 pounds according to Lilly's own published data? Zyprexa "may make you feel like eating more food," says the NHS brochure in what might be considered classic British understatement. "If this happens, try not to eat more than usual and talk to an adult or your doctor about this." Any questions?

And how about Zyprexa's notorious soporific effect or zombie factor? "It is a good [sic] to take olanzapine at bedtime, as it can make some people feel sleepy," says the brochure.

The NHS sent the Bonkers Institute a nasty gram demanding that the brochure be taken down, which the Bonkers Institute politely declined to do; instead, the NHS's letter is now posted for your amusement. Good times!