Journal Top Ten- COLUMNS-Drugs & Supplements, June 2004

1 Related Drug: Zyprexa

Article: Fatal Olanzapine-Induced Hyperglycemic Ketoacidosis

Summary: Researchers report three patients who died suddenly and unexpectedly with hyperglycemic ketoacidosis after using olanzapine (Zyprexa, Eli Lilly). Although olanzapine has been linked to the development or exacerbation of type 2 diabetes mellitus, the authors noted that none of the patients had a history or family history of diabetes and no predisposing factors for olanzapine-induced diabetes were identified. The olanzapine concentration levels in the patients were found to be within the therapeutic range. The authors recommended that patients who die suddenly while being treated with atypical antipsychotics …