Zyprexa's Side Effects

Zyprexa has been linked to a large number of dangerous, even life-threatening, side effects. Zyprexa seems to prevent the body from correctly processing sugar, leading to conditions like diabetes and pancreatitis. In 2003, the FDA required Eli Lilly, the makers of Zyprexa, to change package labels to accurately reflect the drug's dangers. In January of 2004, prominent groups like the American Diabetes Association and the American Psychiatric Association warned that atypical anti-psychotic drugs like Zyprexa increase the risk of diabetes. Ironically, Eli Lilly and Company also manufacturers America's top selling diabetes medications.

Zyprexa has been linked to the following side effects:

Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus)
Diabetes occurs when the body cannot process sugar (glucose) correctly. The body converts glucose into energy by using another body chemical, insulin, which is produced by the pancreas.

Zyprexa has been found to cause type 2, or adult onset diabetes, meaning that the diabetes occurs later in life. This form of diabetes causes a dangerous build-up of glucose in the body. This excess sugar can go on to damage the body's cells and organs and cause even more serious complications, such as Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Hyperglycemia and Diabetic Coma.

The symptoms of diabetes include weight loss, frequent urination, unusual irritability, fatigue, an inability to fight off infections, blurry vision and listlessness. Diabetes can also increase one's chances of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and kidney failure.

Hyperglycemia
Diabetes is a direct cause of Hyperglycemia or high blood glucose levels. This condition occurs when there is too much sugar in the blood. Hyperglycemia can lead to more serious complications including Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Syndrome and Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

The symptoms of Hyperglycemia include weight loss, frequent urination, unusual irritability, fatigue, an inability to fight off infections, blurry vision and listlessness.

If not properly treated, Hyperglycemia can lead to infections, slow-healing cuts and sores, decreased vision, nerve damage and intestinal problems.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Ketoacidosis is an emergency condition caused by untreated Hyperglycemia. When there is a severe shortage of insulin, glucose will build to dangerous levels in the bloodstream. The body cannot generate enough energy from this sugar so it switches to starvation mode and releases fat to use for energy. This fat is converted to an overabundance of ketones, which works its way into the urine. Large amounts of glucose that are also leaking into the body's urine will then pull water out of the body causing dehydration. Ketoacidosis can be a life-threatening situation.

Symptoms of Ketoacidosis include dehydration and excess thirst, excess urination, vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness and difficulty breathing.

Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS)
Excessively high glucose levels can cause blood to thicken and sugar to pass into one's kidneys. The kidneys then divert excess fluid from the body causing dehydration. Excess urination and extreme elevations of glucose levels in the blood lead to severe levels of dehydration in the body. The severe loss of water can lead to shock, coma and death (with fatality rates as high as 80%).

Symptoms of HHNS include increased thirst, increased urination, weakness, drowsiness, altered mental state, headache, restlessness and paralysis.

Diabetic Coma
Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Syndrome can both lead to a diabetic coma. Elevated glucose levels in the body can lead to a loss of consciousness which can progress into a coma.

Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas that is painful and potentially fatal. When the pancreas is inflamed, it can no longer produce effective amounts of insulin. This can lead to diabetes and hyperglycemia.

Symptoms of pancreatitis include severe abdominal pain, nausea, fever, vomiting and jaundice. The mortality rate of acute pancreatitis is about 10%.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome is not related to diabetes. It is a potentially fatal reaction to any of a group of antipsychotic drugs including Zyprexa. Symptoms include muscle rigidity, elevated temperature, changes in mental state, unstable blood pressure, tremors/shaking and drooling.

If you or a loved one have taken Zyprexa and have experienced side effects including diabetes, hyperglycemia or pancreatitis, contact us immediately at 800-966-4999 and see why our law firm has recovered over $100 million on behalf of our clients.

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