Understanding The Controversy Regarding Zyprexa

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Zyprexa (olanzepine) is a potent anti-psychotic drug that has been approved to treat both schizophrenia and acute bipolar disorder. It is one of the newer class of atypical anti-psychotics and is widely used because of its ability to control both the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Zyprexa works by balancing the neurotransmitters in the brain and thus altering mood and eliminating psychoses. It usually comes in pill form and is taken once daily, at bedtime, without regard to meals. Zyprexa is available by prescription only and is considered a dangerous drug by many.

Zyprexa is a very controversial drug, primarily because of its numerous and serious side effects. The most common of these include dizziness, weakness, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, tremors, and an increase in appetite. However, these side effects of Zyprexa are not the ones that have the medical profession concerned. Some very serious side effects of Zyprexa that have stolen the spotlight include diabetes, seizures, strokes, a shorter life-span, difficulty swallowing, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and tardive dyskinesia.

Zyprexa is not recommended for older patients suffering from dementia as it tends to cause mini-strokes. Because it is such a powerful drug, Zyprexa must always be taken exactly as directed and should never be ceased abruptly. Another problem with Zyprexa is that it cannot be taken while pregnant or nursing because of the risk of birth defects. It is also restricted in patients who already have a previous history of diabetes or heart disease, because it magnifies the problems. Zyprexa is estimated to increase the risk of getting diabetes as much as tenfold. Although Zyprexa has been heralded as a very effective breakthrough in the treatment of schizophrenia, its safety remains in doubt.

Zyprexa was first approved by the FDA in 1996 and since then has been prescribed for more than 18 million people in 84 countries. Because it is easy to use and more effective than the older anti-psychotics, Zyprexa quickly rose to the top in the treatment of schizophrenia. It is manufactured by Eli Lilly and stands out as the company's best-selling drug, generating over $4 billion in sales, accounting for 1/3 of Lilly's profits. However, in 2004 Zyprexa came under investigation after a study was done on its side effects.

Zyprexa hit the news and became the forefront of a raging controversy after it was reported that almost 300 patients who took the drug developed diabetes. Some of them progressed to serious illness and death. In 2003, the FDA required Eli Lilly to include labeling that points out the dangers of taking Zyprexa and possible link with diabetes. The company became swamped with lawsuits and agreed to pay $690 million in a settlement fund. Sales of Zyprexa dropped as the drug steadily lost ground to its newer rivals, Geodon and Abilify. These drugs also cause high blood sugar, but Zyprexa has been shown to pose the greatest risk.

Research on Zyprexa continues, but currently there is no recommendation to stop prescribing it. Instead, physicians are asked to prescribe lower dosages and avoid giving it to high-risk patients. The patients are also informed about the dangers of taking Zyprexa and then monitored for blood sugar abnormalities throughout therapy. Hopefully, this will catch potential problems before they happen and prevent needless Zyprexa-related fatalities.

Disclaimer - The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to a qualified professional for more information about Zyprexa.

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