Zyprexa
(olanzapine)
●●●●●
3.7/ 5 average rating with 68 reviewsforZyprexa
Skip to: drug prices sectionSkip to: what to expect sectionSkip to: side effects sectionSkip to: risks and warnings sectionSkip to: common concerns from users and pharmacists
Helps control your thoughts and mood.
Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.
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Our bottom line
Zyprexa (olanzapine) is good for treating psychosis, mania, and agitation, but it's more likely to cause weight gain and sleepiness than other antipsychotics.
Quick facts about Zyprexa
- Drug class: Mental health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (olanzapine)
Upsides
- Effective at relieving psychotic symptoms, manic episodes, and agitation in people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
- Less likely to cause heart problems than other antipsychotics.
- Less likely to cause movement problems compared to older antipsychotics.
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What to expect from Zyprexa, on one page
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68Downsides
- More likely to cause weight gain and increase cholesterol or blood sugar compared to other antipsychotics.
- Might make you more sleepy than some antipsychotics.
- Mild risk of Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS): Movement disorders that include stiffness, tremor, restlessness, and slow, repetitive movements you can't control.
- You may need routine blood tests to check how the medicine is affecting your body..
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What to expect from Zyprexa, on one page
Download Fact SheetHow it works
Zyprexa (olanzapine) is an atypical antipsychotic. Researchers don't know exactly how it works. It seems to change chemical activity (like dopamine and serotonin) in your brain, which affects thoughts and mood.
Quick facts about Zyprexa
- Drug class: Mental health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (olanzapine)
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
- Injection
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.Prices and coupons for 30 (5mg) orally-disintegrating-tabs of olanzapine near
Pay as low as$459.83Retail priceRetail priceLearn more- CostcoGet free coupon$453.01
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See more prices and coupons in your areaWhat to expect when you take Zyprexa (olanzapine) for Schizophrenia
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonthsLong term
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonthsLong term
- Possible side effects
- Stomach problems
- Weight gain
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
Side effect rates for Zyprexa (olanzapine)
From 161 clinical trials of Zyprexa when taken for adolescent bipolar i disorder (13 to 17 years old) (≥ 2.5 mg per day)
- Drowsiness48%48%9%9%
- Weight gain28%28%4%4%
- Increased appetite28%28%4%4%
- Headache17%17%17%17%
- Fatigue14%14%6%6%
- Dizziness7%7%2%2%
- Dry Mouth7%7%
- Abdominal pain6%6%7%7%
- Pain in extremity5%5%
0%
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Where we got our data »
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Zyprexa.
Zyprexa (olanzapine)
Placebo
People taking Zyprexa felt side effect more
People taking Zyprexa felt side effect less
No difference
Risks and Warnings for Zyprexa (olanzapine)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Elderly patients with dementia
Older patients with dementia-related psychosis have a higher risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medications. Zyprexa (olanzapine) is not approved to treat dementia-related psychosis.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect
Pharmacist Q&A
Zyprexa (olanzapine) questions for
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this drug for?
This medication treats manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder.Common concerns from people taking Zyprexa (olanzapine)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?Interactions
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Zyprexaon 9/21/2017Antibiotic interaction. I also got a rash all over but it didn't itch.77WomanA couple weeks
Food
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed Zyprexaon 3/30/2017Portion control your food because your body will no longer tell you when to stop eating. Exercise a lot it might help with the weight gain. Get your doctor to monitor your weight gain. My side effects: Major Weight gain ( gained 30lbs in a month), Dizziness, Depth perception messed up, Visual disturbance (objects look different from the corner of your eye), No sensation telling you that you are full, Lots of energy and motivation, Very happy and positive.35WomanA few monthsDepression
Sleep
- Can cause dizziness and drowsiness.
- Might make you more sleepy than some antipsychotics.
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed Zyprexaon 8/13/2016I love sleep and I found out this med makes you sleep but then I got addicted to it the withdrawals are debilitating pysical and mental36ManBipolar I disorder (manic)
Weight
- Zyprexa (olanzapine) is more likely to raise your blood sugar and cholesterol compared to other antipsychotic medications. Zyprexa (olanzapine) can also cause you to gain weight. Exercise and eat healthy food to lower your risk.
- May cause weight gain and increased cholesterol or blood sugar.
- More likely to cause weight gain and increase cholesterol or blood sugar compared to other antipsychotics.
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed Zyprexaon 1/31/2017Huge huge huge weight gain. Uncontrollable and absolutely ridiculous. Also, terrible tremors and the withdrawls are terrible, sweating a lot, lot of body odor. Terrible, not worth it because of the serious side effects.21ManBipolar I disorder (manic)
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed Zyprexadefinitely weight gain59ManA few monthsBipolar I disorder (manic)
- Not worth itLow hassleReviewed Zyprexaon 7/23/2016it causes too much weight gain!!!!!!!26WomanDepression