When was Zyprexa approved by FDA? What is it used to treat? What are the adverse side effects of taking Zyprexa?

Zyprexa is an anti-psychotic drug, approved and released on the market in 1996. It is most commonly prescribed to treat schizophrenia and acute bi-polar disorder. While it appears to be effective in treating those problems, the use of Zyprexa does create the potential for other problems.

Patients who use Zyprexa have an increased chance of developing diabetes, hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar levels), and diabetic ketoacidosis (a potentially fatal complication of diabetes). When Eli-Lilly, Zyprexa’s manufacturer, introduced the drug in 1996, these possible complications were already suspected. The original label warned, deep in the adverse reactions section, of the possibility of developing diabetes. However, this warning, in addition to being difficult to locate, did not carry a recommendation that patients who were taking Zyprexa should be monitored for signs of diabetes.

Researchers believe they have found a possible link between the use of Zyprexa and the development of pancreatitis as well. However, this research is still in the early stages.