Zyprexa

Zyprexa (Olanzapine) is approved for long-term therapy in schizophrenia. It is different from the older generation of antipsychotic medications in the way that it helps control both the positive (hallucinations, delusions) and the negative (apathy, social withdrawal) symptoms. This medication acts to balance two nerve impulses and, by doing so, helps restore more normal thinking and mood. In general, this medication has fewer side effects than standard antipsychotic medications. Zyprexa (Olanzapine) also seems to help improve the negative symptoms of schizophrenia better than the other classes of antipsychotic medications.

Zyprexa (Olanzapine) should be administered once daily with or without food, generally beginning with 5 to 10 mg initially.

Common side effects that may occur while using Zyprexa (Olanzapine) are drowsiness, agitation, insomnia, dizziness. Serious side effects are skin rash, headache, depression, fast heart rate, constipation, or weight gain. Rare side effects include abnormal movements, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), orthostatic hypotension (low heart rate upon standing).