Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Its most common formulation, marketed under the trade name Zyprexa, is produced and sold by the Eli Lilly pharmaceutical company. The expiration of the original patent will occur in late 2011, opening Zyprexa and other olanzapine formulations to genericization.
In addition to its antipsychotic applications, Zyprexa is commonly prescribed to help treat major depressive disorder, anxiety spectrum disorders like generalized anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa. It has even been used to combat Tourette syndrome and stuttering. None of these uses, with the exception of depression, have been test under controlled conditions, but the low likelihood for abuse and inherently non-addictive qualities enable doctors to prescribe the drug in innovative, off-label ways.
Zyprexa was also briefly considered for a trial of a schizophrenia "vaccine". Led by the National Institute of Mental Health, the Prevention through Risk Identification, Management, and Education project administered Zyprexa to individuals considered to be at very high risk of developing schizophrenia in the near future. Despite its success in combatting pre-onset symptoms, Zyprexa showed no particular ability to prevent or delay the onset of full-blown schizophrenia better than a placebo.
Use of Zyprexa can cause hyperglycemia in some patients and has shown the potential to cause or exacerbate stroke in the elderly. These are in addition to a long list of side effects Zyprexa shares with other typical and atypical antipsychotics.
Eli Lilly Zyprexa can cause
Eli Lilly Zyprexa can cause diabetes.
I took Zyprexa Olanzapine a powerful Lilly schizophrenic drug for 4 years it was prescribed to me off-label for post traumatic stress disorder was ineffective costly and gave me diabetes.
*FIVE at FIVE*
The Zyprexa antipsychotic drug,whose side effects can include weight gain and diabetes, was sold for "children in foster care, people who have trouble sleeping, elderly in nursing homes.
*Five at Five* was the Zyprexa sales rep slogan, meaning *5mg dispensed at 5pm would keep patients quiet*.
-- Daniel Haszard Zyprexa victim activist
FMI zyprexa-victims(dot)com