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Serious Side Effects of Zyprexa
some of the most serious side effects of taking Zyprexa are diabetes, hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, pancreatitis, diabetic coma and in some cases sudden death.
Diabetes
Zyprexa side effects include an increase in blood sugar level which can cause or worsen diabetes to develop in some users. Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism - the body either produces too much or too little insulin or it does not respond well to the amount of insulin that is produced. This causes a buildup of glucose in the blood and ends up being passed from the body through urine. Zyprexa users are at an increased risk for diabetes especially if they have a family history of it.
Diabetic Coma
Zyprexa can cause an increase in blood sugar level. If the blood sugar level reaches a level that is too high, a diabetic coma can occur. A diabetic coma is a loss of consciousness due to an extremely high or low level of blood sugar. The condition can be life-threatening if left untreated for too long. Zyprexa users are at an increased risk for diabetic coma especially if they have been diagnosed with diabetes or have a family history of diabetes.
Hyperglycemia
Zyprexa has known to cause hyperglycemia, high blood sugar. In 2003, a study at VA Connecticut Healthcare System, New Haven, Connecticut found that patients those taking drugs for schizophrenia and related symptoms, including Zyprexa, may be at risk of developing hyperglycemia. From the study it was shown that 25% of patients taking these kinds of drugs had higher blood sugar levels and 5% of patients had extremely high blood sugar levels. Symptoms of hyperglycemia include dehydration and thirst, excess urination, nausea and vomiting.
Ketoacidosis
In cases where Zyprexa has caused hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis can occur. Ketoacidosis can be a life-threatening situation when left untreated. When your body does not have enough insulin, it releases fat that gets converted to ketones. These ketones are not used up as quickly as they are released and end up spilling over into the blood and urine. This can cause dehydration and unusually high acidic levels in the body. The symptoms of ketoacidosis are the same as those for hyperglycemia and include dehydration and thirst, excess urination, vomiting, abdominal pain, and ketones in the urine.
Pancreatitis
Zyprexa has been linked to pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, the organ responsible for making insulin and glucose. When enzymes leak from the tube that connects the pancreas to the intestines, the pancreas can become inflamed. Symptoms of pancreatitis include pain in the upper or lower back, yellowing skin, nausea and vomiting, fever, rapid heartbeat, and bloated or swollen belly.
