Zyprexa® (olanzapine) tablets for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

What Zyprexa® Is and How It Works

Zyprexa® (olanzapine) is an atypical antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. It is taken by mouth once daily. Strengths include 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, and 20 mg. Many shoppers compare Zyprexa price and Zyprexa cost per month before choosing brand or generic.

At YouDrugstore, a licensed Canadian pharmacy in Manitoba, prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing. We offer brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices with caring customer support online and by phone.

Olanzapine blocks serotonin 5-HT2A and dopamine D2 receptors. This balance helps reduce hallucinations, delusions, agitation, and manic symptoms. It also improves sleep and appetite in some patients. Zyprexa® is indicated for schizophrenia, acute manic or mixed episodes, and maintenance treatment in bipolar I disorder. For bipolar depression, olanzapine is combined with fluoxetine in a fixed-dose product in some markets. Zyprexa disintegrating tablets are also available for those with swallowing issues.

We partner with licensed, carefully vetted international pharmacies to supply authentic brands and a broad range of generics at affordable pricing.

Common tablet options include a Zyprexa 5 mg tablet, Zyprexa 7.5 mg, and a Zyprexa 10 mg tablet. Some patients search for a Zyprexa 10 mg pill or the Zyprexa 10mg tablet by name; the active ingredient is the same olanzapine.

Dosage and Usage

Dosing is individualized by the prescriber. Typical oral regimens include once-daily evening dosing due to sedation.

• Schizophrenia: start 5–10 mg daily; usual target 10 mg; range 5–20 mg.
• Acute mania or mixed episodes: start 10–15 mg daily; adjust based on response.
• Maintenance in bipolar I disorder: continue the effective acute dose; range 5–20 mg.
• Titration: increase or decrease in 5 mg steps at intervals of several days.
• Co-therapy: with lithium or valproate for mania; with fluoxetine for bipolar depression (fixed combo in some regions).
• Missed dose: take when remembered unless close to the next dose; do not double.
• Stopping: prescribers often taper to reduce relapse risk and withdrawal symptoms.

Zyprexa generic (olanzapine) is clinically equivalent to brand. Zyprexa zydis 5 mg and other strengths are orally disintegrating tablets that dissolve on the tongue without water.

• Storage: store tablets in a dry place at 20–25°C (68–77°F). Short excursions 15–30°C are acceptable. Keep in original packaging.
• Travel: keep medication in your carry‑on. Bring your prescription label. Use a pill organizer with a backup supply. Avoid heat and moisture.

Benefits and Savings

Zyprexa® helps reduce positive symptoms of schizophrenia like hallucinations and delusions. It also supports mood stabilization and sleep during manic episodes. Patients often see improved social functioning, less agitation, and better overall stability with consistent use.

Convenience matters. Once-daily dosing supports adherence. The availability of Zyprexa disintegrating tablets helps those with swallowing difficulties or inconsistent access to water.

Ordering through YouDrugstore can lower costs compared to typical US prices. Savings of 60–80% are common on brand and generic. Generic Zyprexa cost is usually the lowest. The Zyprexa 10 mg price and other strengths vary by brand selection and quantity. Choosing a multi‑month supply can lower the Zyprexa cost per month. You can turn on reorder reminders at checkout to avoid running out.

Side Effects and Safety

Olanzapine is generally well tolerated, but side effects can occur. Many lessen with time or dose adjustments. Seek urgent care for severe symptoms.

• Common: drowsiness, dizziness, increased appetite, weight gain, dry mouth, constipation.
• Metabolic: increased blood sugar, elevated cholesterol or triglycerides.
• Neurologic: restlessness, tremor, stiffness, akathisia.
• Cardiovascular: orthostatic hypotension (lightheadedness when standing).
• Other: edema, mild increases in liver enzymes, rash.
• Serious: high blood sugar or ketoacidosis, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, seizures, severe neutropenia.
• Elderly warning: increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia‑related psychosis.
• Interactions: alcohol and benzodiazepines can increase sedation; smoking can increase olanzapine clearance.

Report new or worsening mood symptoms, fever, severe muscle rigidity, signs of infection, or sudden weakness. Clinicians monitor weight, glucose, and lipids during ongoing therapy.

Onset Time

Sedation and reduced agitation may appear within the first few doses. Improvement in manic symptoms often begins within several days. Antipsychotic benefits in schizophrenia usually build over 1–2 weeks, with further gains across 4–6 weeks. Maintenance therapy helps sustain remission and reduce relapse risk.

Compare With Alternatives

Zyprexa® is one option among atypical antipsychotics. Another olanzapine form is an orally disintegrating tablet. If swallowing is a challenge or reliable water is not available, consider Zyprexa® Zydis. The active ingredient and dosing are the same, but the tablet dissolves on the tongue.

Some patients respond better to different agents or side‑effect profiles. Quetiapine tends to be more sedating at low doses and is used in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Compare features and prescriber guidance alongside Quetiapine Fumarate when considering options.

Older typical antipsychotics, such as trifluoperazine, may be effective but can carry a higher risk of extrapyramidal symptoms. Choice depends on diagnosis, past response, tolerability, and co‑existing conditions.

Combination Therapy

For acute mania, olanzapine is often combined with lithium or valproate when monotherapy is not enough. For bipolar depression, the olanzapine/fluoxetine fixed combination is an evidence‑based option in some regions. This aligns with the keyword themes Zyprexa for bipolar, Zyprexa for depression, and Zyprexa bipolar depression. For schizophrenia, olanzapine may be paired with psychosocial interventions and therapy to enhance outcomes.

Off‑label use such as Zyprexa for sleep or Zyprexa for insomnia appears in practice due to sedative effects. This approach needs prescriber oversight because risk of weight gain and metabolic changes may outweigh benefits for primary insomnia.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Zyprexa® suits many adults with schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder who need once‑daily dosing. It may not be suitable in dementia‑related psychosis because of increased mortality risk. Caution is needed with diabetes, severe obesity, uncontrolled lipids, hepatic impairment, or a history of tardive dyskinesia. Smoking status matters because tobacco smoke induces CYP1A2 and can lower olanzapine levels.

Dose adjustments may be considered with interacting drugs. Fluvoxamine can raise levels, while carbamazepine can lower them. Co‑administration with CNS depressants increases sedation. Care teams often monitor weight, fasting glucose, and lipids. Discussion of family planning is important, as metabolic changes and weight gain may affect pregnancy planning.

Brand or generic both contain olanzapine. Choosing Zyprexa generic can lower costs. Eli Lilly Zyprexa is the originator brand. The Zyprexa 10 mg price or the cost of Zyprexa 15 mg will vary by pack size and selection of brand or generic. Multi‑month supplies often reduce per‑month costs. You can set simple email reminders to reorder before traveling or holidays.

Learn more about symptoms and treatment paths in our condition pages for Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. For background on medicines used in psychosis, see our article Psychosis And Antipsychotics A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste. If olanzapine is paired with fluoxetine, you may also find Fluoxetine Side Effects Patient Guide To Safe Use helpful.

Authoritative Sources

Review official details and safety information in these resources:

• Eli Lilly Zyprexa Prescribing Information (US)
• FDA Label for Olanzapine
• Health Canada Drug Product Database: Olanzapine

Ready to order? YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy offering brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices. Our team supports secure checkout, pharmacist review, and prompt, express, cold-chain shipping to the US.

This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always speak with a qualified healthcare provider about diagnosis, treatment choices, and personal risks before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.