Zyprexa

Zyprexa Medication

What Is Zyprexa?

Zyprexa^® (olanzapine) is a prescription medication that is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. When used in combination with fluoxetine (Prozac^®), it is also approved for treating the following conditions:

Bipolar depression
Treatment-resistant depression (depression that has not responded to treatment with at least two different antidepressants).

Who Makes Zyprexa?

Zyprexa is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company.

(Click Zyprexa Uses for more information on what the drug is used for, including possible off-label uses.)

How Does It Work?

Zyprexa belongs to a group of medications called atypical (or second-generation) antipsychotic medications. It is not entirely known how it works for the treatment of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. However, it is known that it blocks or lessens the effects of several chemicals in the brain. These brain chemicals (such as dopamine and serotonin) may be elevated in people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression).

Zyprexa is not a cure for bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. It only helps to control symptoms (see Symptoms of Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder Symptoms).

Effects of Zyprexa

In previous clinical studies of this drug for the treatment of schizophrenia, people taking it experienced improvements in their schizophrenia symptoms (including hallucinations and suspiciousness), compared to those not taking it. Longer studies also showed that Zyprexa can help people from needing to be hospitalized and can help symptoms from returning.

Previous clinical studies have also shown the drug to be effective for bipolar disorder treatment. In these studies, the medication was effective when used alone or with other bipolar disorder medications.

When and How to Take It

Following are some general considerations for when and how to take this medicine:

Zyprexa comes in tablet form. It is usually taken by mouth once a day.
You can take it with or without food. If it bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
It is also available in tablets that are meant to dissolve rapidly in the mouth. These tablets are called Zyprexa Zydis^® tablets. They do not need to be taken with water.
Your dosage should be taken at the same time each day to maintain even levels of the drug in your blood.
For the drug to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.

Your Zyprexa Dosage

The dose of Zyprexa your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:

The medical condition being treated
Your age
The severity of your condition
Other medical conditions you may have
Other medications you may be currently taking.

As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

(Click Zyprexa Dosage for more information about dosing.)

What Are the Side Effects?

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with Zyprexa. However, not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. When side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.

Common side effects include but are not limited to:

Dizziness
Drowsiness
Constipation
Dry mouth (see Zyprexa and Dry Mouth)
Weight gain (see Zyprexa and Weight Gain)
Difficulty sleeping (insomnia) (see Zyprexa and Insomnia).

(Click Zyprexa Side Effects to learn about specific side effects of this drug, including some of the more serious side effects that you should report to your healthcare provider. You can also read about other possible side effects by going to:

Drug Interactions With Zyprexa

This drug can potentially interact with a number of other medicines.

(Click Zyprexa Drug Interactions for more information about Zyprexa and other medicines.)

Zyprexa: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Zyprexa if you have:

Glaucoma
An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH)
A history of bowel blockage or obstruction
Liver, kidney, or heart problems
Diabetes
Seizures
Epilepsy
Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia
Phenylketonuria
Low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension)
Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.

Also let your healthcare provider know if you are:

Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant (see Zyprexa and Pregnancy)
Breastfeeding (see Zyprexa and Breastfeeding)
Drink alcohol regularly (see Alcohol and Zyprexa).

You should also make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

(Click Zyprexa Warnings and Precautions for more information on this topic, including information on who should not take the drug.)

Overdose With Zyprexa

People who take too much of the medication may have overdose symptoms that could include:

Agitation or aggressiveness
Changes in speech or language
A fast heart rate (tachycardia)
Shakiness, abnormal body movements, or increased muscle tension
Sleepiness or passing out.

If you happen to overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

(Click Zyprexa Overdose for more information.)

How Should I Store It?

Zyprexa should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. It should be stored in an airtight container.

Keep it and all other medications out of the reach of children.

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you do not take your Zyprexa as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.

Strengths of Zyprexa

Zyprexa tablets are available in the following strengths:

2.5 mg
5 mg
7.5 mg
10 mg
15 mg
20 mg.

Zyprexa Zydis orally disintegrating tablets are available the following strengths:

5 mg
10 mg
15 mg
20 mg.

An injectable form of Zyprexa is also available and is approved to treat agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar mania.

Alternatives to Zyprexa

There are several alternatives to Zyprexa for the treatment of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Other atypical antipsychotic medications for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder include:

Older, "typical" antipsychotics are also approved to treat schizophrenia. Haloperidol (Haldol^®) and thioridazine (Mellaril^®) are examples of typical antipsychotics.

Mood stabilizer bipolar medications (which are alternatives to Zyprexa for treating bipolar disorder) can include:

Carbamazepine (Carbatrol^®, Epitol^®, Equetro™, Tegretol^®, Tegretol XR^®)
Divalproex sodium (Depakote^®, Depakote ER^®)
Lamotrigine (Lamictal^®)
Lithium (Eskalith^®, Lithobid^®)
Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal^®)
Topiramate (Topamax^®)
Valproic acid (Depakene^®).

Not all of the medications listed above are approved to treat schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. However, they are commonly used "off-label" for the treatment of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

(Click Zyprexa Alternatives for more information, including non-medication alternatives.)

Generic Zyprexa

There is currently no generic Zyprexa licensed for sale.

(Click Generic Zyprexa for more information.)