Consumer advocates claim that Zyprexa side-effect warnings referencing diabetes, heart attack, coma, and hyperglycemia are buried deep within adverse reactions section of drug’s labeling. Patients are less likely to notice warning when it’s buried in smallest of fine print than if it were more prominently displayed. The failure to give adequate warnings is one of core allegations in Zyprexa litigation.

Researchers have also found preliminary evidence that linked Zyprexa side-effect and pancreatitis, a dangerous inflammation of pancreas. Studies looked at patients using four antipsychotic drugs and examined all pancreatitis cases reported to FDA or written up in medical journals between January 1981 and February 2002. Researchers found more instances of pancreatitis in Clozaril, Zyprexa, and Risperdal patients.

Of 192 Zyprexa side-effect cases, people using Zyprexa alone had 62 instances within four antipsychotic drugs. The pancreatitis occurrences resulted in 22 deaths. A definitive link between Zyprexa side-effect and pancreatitis has not yet been established though findings have raised concern.

Adding to complexity surrounding potential Zyprexa side-effect of drug is strong connection between diabetes and schizophrenia, noted by scientists since 1920s. Sufferers of debilitating brain disorder develop diabetes at a rate up to four times higher than general population, whether they use antipsychotic drugs or not. People with schizophrenia often lead a sedentary lifestyle, lack good medical care, have poor diets, and high rates of obesity -- all which are risk factors for diabetes.

Eli Lilly has argued that Zyprexa's safety is supported by two Eli Lilly sponsored studies. According to manufacturer, two studies demonstrate that Zyprexa has no diabetes-inducing effects. According to doctors at diabetes care center at University of North Carolina, too few patients were studied to detect a less common Zyprexa side effect.