Zyprexa
Also known as Olanzapine, Zyprexa is manufactured
by Eli Lilly & Co. The drug is an antipsychotic
used to treat bi-polar disorders, schizophrenia,
and other mental disorders. In 1996 it was approved by the Food & Drug
Administration (FDA) for use as a schizophrenia treatment and in 2000 for
bi-polar disorder. Since its release, Zyprexa has been prescribed to over 6
million people worldwide. Recently Zyprexa has recently been increasingly
prescribed for related conditions that it was never intended to treat, such as
non-severe depression and sedation of the elderly in nursing homes. These "off
label" uses have helped Zyprexa become one of Eli Lilly's most popular drugs.
Great Britain's Medicines Control Agency warned
in 2002 that several patients taking Zyprexa for
schizophrenia had developed diabetes-related complications.
The agency warned that the antipsychotic drug "can
adversely affect blood glucose."
Although England and other countries have issued
warnings about the link between Zyprexa and diabetes,
only recently has the FDA forced Eli Lilly to add
warning labels informing patients of the potential
side effects. Unfortunately, this comes too late
for thousands of Zyprexa users who are only now discovering
that their medication has been affecting them adversely.
The FDA now recommends that patients taking Zyprexa
be monitored for side effects such as blood-sugar
variances, particularly if they have diabetes risk
factors like obesity or a family history of diabetes.
Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable
to produce insulin needed to process sugar. It is
one of the leading causes of death and disability
in the United States today.
Early signs of diabetes include:
- Chronic thirst and a dry mouth
- Frequent urination
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rapid breathing
- Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
- Constant hunger
- Slow-healing wounds
- Recurrent infections
- Blurred vision
Zyprexa may also be linked to other conditions such
as:
- Hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar levels)
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
- Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Syndrome
(HHNS)
- Diabetic Coma
- Pancreatitis
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome.
If you believe you may have a Zyprexa side effect
case, contact us today for more information.
|
