Zyprexa (sometimes called olanzapine) is a popular antipsychotic drug administered for treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.  Manyfactured by Eli Lilly, Zyprexa has been prescribed to more than 12 million people worldwide since its introduction. 

The side effects linked to Zyprexa involve drastic changes in patient’s blood sugar levels.  In studies in Europe and Japan, researchers have discovered dozens of cases in which patients suffered injuries from changes in their blood glucose and several patients reportedly died of complications from Zyprexa-induced blood sugar elevation.  Patients with diabetes or high blood sugar are at the greatest risk as Zyprexa seems to aggravate their disease.  However, Zyprexa may also cause serious side effects in otherwise healthy patients being treated for mental disorders. 
 
A study at Duke University in July of 2002 further showed a connection between Zyprexa and diabetes.  The study documented nearly 300 cases of diabetes in people using Zyprexa, with many of the cases developing within 6 months of Zyprexa use.  The company resisted efforts to advise Zyprexa users to monitor blood glucose levels and only recently added labeling language about a possible link between Zyprexa and diabetes following the request by the Food and Drug Administration in September 2006.

The FDA recommends that patients using Zyprexa and antipsychotic drugs be monitored for blood-sugar abnormalities, especially when they have risk factors including obesity and a family history of diabetes. 

If you or a loved one have taken Zyprexa and are concerned with your legal rights, please contact the National Justice Coalition to be connected with a Zyprexa attorney in your area immediately, for a confidential consultation.