Health Risks of Zyprexa

Contact: Michael Monheit, Esquire, Monheit Law, PC
Zyprexa: Lawyer: Side Effects: Diabetes

Zyprexa, made by Eli Lilly, is commonly prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia. It is one of the most frequently prescribed drugs for this condition and the most frequently associated with serious side effects.

There are many health risks associated with Zyprexa that involve glucose abnormalities. These include diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar coma, and hyperglycemia. Other health risks include white blood cell disorders and neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Since they arrived on the market in the 1990s, the so-called 'atypicial' antipsychotic drugs have been wrapped in controversy and promotional hype by drug companies and their paid professional spin masters who made bald claims about their "favorable side effect profile" referring to them as "breakthrough" "miracle" drugs that "balance the chemistry" in the brain.

Symptoms of Diabetes: The symptoms that are most commonly associated with diabetes include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, frequent urination, unusual irritability, increased appetite, blurred vision and listlessness. Many of these symptoms are secondary to your body's inability to process glucose adequately. Diabetes can also compromise the body's ability to resist infection giving rise to urinary tract infections, bladder infections, and other disorders.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) is life-threatening reaction that can occur as a result of taking anti-psychotic medications such as Zyprexa?. The incidence of NMS is extremely low and believed to be an idiosyncratic response.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, is a complication that can result when diabetes is uncontrolled. Diabetes is a condition in which the body is not able to process glucose to produce energy.

Hyperglycemia is usually evidenced by some classic symptoms including:

• Polydipsia (excessive thirst)
• Blurred vision
• Polyuria (frequent urination)
• Fatigue
• Polyphagia (excessive hunger)
• Unplanned weight loss
• Delayed wound healing

Diabetic Hyperosmolar Syndrome:Symptoms of DHS include increased or excessive thirst, dry mouth, frequent urination, muscle cramps, insomnia, restlessness, confusion and fever. Any one experiencing these symptoms should seek medical treatment immediately.

Diabetic coma can occur when blood sugar levels become too low. When blood sugars become too low - a condition known as hypoglycemia - a loss of consciousness can result. This too can advance to coma.