Zyprexa Side Effects, Zyprexa and Diabetes

Zyprexa is a popular type of antipsychotic medication that is developed and distributed by Eli Lilly and Co. Zyprexa is the brand name for olanzapine, the second atypical antipsychotic drug to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Zyprexa was approved in 1996 following several years of clinical trial testing.

Although the Zyprexa clinical trials were able to establish a causative link between the use of Zyprexa and diabetes, the antipsychotic benefits of the drug were believed to outweigh the side effect risks.

Zyprexa Side Effects

There are a number of side effects associated with the use of Zyprexa, some of which are more serious than others. One such serious side effect involves elderly patients using Zyprexa for the treatment of Alzheimer's or dementia. Studies have now shown that the death rate for elderly Zyprexa users is approximately 1.6- to 1.7-times higher than it is for patients of a similar age using a different type of medication. Elderly Zyprexa users are warned to avoid the antipsychotic drug or face the risk of heart disease, heart failure or the development of a potentially fatal infection.

Zyprexa and Diabetes – Zyprexa Coma

The most serious Zyprexa side effect is the development of diabetes and insulin resistance. Zyprexa patients are often unaware of the development of diabetes, something that can lead to a condition known as ketoacidosis. Prolonged ketoacidosis can potentially lead to Zyprexa coma and Zyprexa death if untreated.

Although a link between Zyprexa and diabetes had been established prior to the drug's approval in 1996, it was not until 2001 that such an announcement was made publicly; the FDA, in conjunction with a Duke University psychiatrist, reported that patients taking Zyprexa were 10 times more likely to develop diabetes than the general population.

As a result of the 2001 Duke report, the FDA continued to monitor Zyprexa users to determine the risk factor in terms of developing diabetes. In September of 2003, the FDA felt compelled to advise Eli Lilly and Co to amend their Zyprexa warning so as to include information about the increased risk of developing diabetes and insulin resistance. It wasn't until March of 2004 that Eli Lilly and Co finally decided to heed the FDA's advice by issuing a "Dear Doctor" letter that warned of the relationship between Zyprexa and diabetes.

Zyprexa Lawsuits

If you or a loved one has taken Zyprexa and developed diabetes, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. It was not until March of 2004 that Eli Lilly and Co finally warned doctors and patients of the explicit risks associated with Zyprexa and diabetes. If you were taking the medication prior to March 2004, contact the Law Offices of Armstrong & Guy at 877 893 3797 to get information about Zyprexa victims' rights and to receive a free consultation.

Zyprexa Overview

Zyprexa treats schizophrenics and bipolar disorder sufferers by altering their brain chemistry to correct the chemical imbalances responsible for the perpetuation of the mental illness. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are believed to be tied to certain imbalances of serotonin and dopamine, two of the brain's neurotransmitters that are responsible for the regulation of emotions and motivations in addition to the activation of nerve impulses.

Zyprexa acts by blocking serotonin and dopamine receptors, effectively lowering their activity and helping to stabilize a patient's thinking and behavioral patterns.

Areas of Legal Interest