Zyprexa

Zyprexa (olanzapine) is an anti-psychotic drug manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company.

Zyprexa has been prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and a myriad of other mental illnesses and conditions.

Since being approved for sale in the United States by the FDA in 1996, Zyprexa has been prescribed to more than 12 million people worldwide.

Zyprexa is a class of anti-psychotic drugs that also includes Clozaril, Risperdal, Seroquel, Geodon, and Abilify.

In September 2003, as a result of hundreds of adverse reactions and reported complaints of HYPERGLYCEMIA (abnormal increase of blood sugar levels) DIABETES, KETOACIDOSIS, PANCREATITIS and other related conditions in patients taking Zyprexa, the FDA ordered Eli Lilly to change the Zyprexa label to warn of such complications.

In February 2004 The American Diabetes Association published a Consensus Statement in its journal, Diabetes Care. In that statement, the American Diabetes Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the North American Association for the Study of Obesity, stated that "the data consistently show an increased risk for diabetes in patients treated with ... olanzapine [aka Zyprexa] ..." This finding was based on input from drug companies, including Eli Lilly, and after consultation with various experts and reviewing the medical literature.