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Zyprexa (Olanzapine)- Oral ZYPREXA, manufactured by Eli Lilly, is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia. It has also been indicated for the treatment of acute mixed or manic episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder. On March 29, 2004, Zyprexa for injection was approved by the FDA for the control of acute agitation associated with schizophrenia and bipolar mania.

Since its introduction in 1996, Zyprexa has been prescribed to more than 16 million people worldwide. However, Zyprexa has been linked to hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus. Cerebrovascular adverse events (e.g., stroke, transient ischemic attack), including fatalities, were reported in patients in trials of olanzapine in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. In placebo-controlled trials, there was a significantly higher incidence of cerebrovascular adverse events in patients treated with olanzapine compared to patients treated with placebo. Olanzapine is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis. A potentially fatal symptom complex sometimes referred to as Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) has been reported in association with administration of antipsychotic drugs, including Zyprexa. This drug has also been linked to Tardive Dyskinesia as well.

In July 2002 Duke University revealed in a press release the link between early onset diabetes and Zyprexa. The study was an analysis of the FDA’s MedWatch adverse event reporting database. This analysis revealed 289 cases of diabetes linked to the use of Zyprexa. Of these 289, 225 cases were newly diagnosed cases. 100 patients developed ketosis, a complication of diabetes and 22 patients developed pancreatitis which is a life-threatening condition. There were 23 deaths, including a 15 year old adolescent who died of necrotizing pancreatitis, a condition where the pancreas breaks down and dies. Seventy-one percent (71%) of these cases occurred within six months of starting the medication. These findings appear in the July 2, 2002 issue of Pharmacotherapy.

Hyperglycemia also called low blood sugar, occurs when your blood glucose (blood sugar) level drops too low to provide enough energy for your body's activities.


Diabetes MellitusDiabetes-accumulating evidence surrounding Zyprexa and other atypical antipsychotic drugs shows a connection between weight gain, elevated glucose and triglyceride levels and the use of these drugs. This family of antipsychotic family of drugs is linked to exacerbation of existing Type1 and 2 diabetes and new onset type 2 diabetes mellitus and the severe often fatal metabolic complications, diabetic ketoacidosis.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) this condition refers to the combination of hyperthermia, rigidity, and autonomic dysregulation that can occur as a serious complication of the use of antipsychotic drugs. Delay first used the term in 1960, after observing patients treated with high-potency antipsychotics. Clinical manifestations of NMS are hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and evidence of autonomic instability (irregular pulse or blood pressure, tachycardia, diaphoresis, and cardiac dysrhythmia). Additional signs may include elevated creatine phosphokinase, myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis), and acute renal failure

Tardive Dyskinesia is a neurological syndrome which can be caused by the long-term use of neuroleptic drugs such as Zyprexal, Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by repetitive, involuntary, purposeless movements. Features of the disorder may include grimacing, tongue protrusion, lip smacking, puckering and pursing, and rapid eye blinking. Rapid movements of the arms, legs, and trunk may also occur. This syndrome can be disabling and disfiguring. When used in higher doses, atypical antipsychotics such as Risperdol can cause this syndrome