Zyprexa® (Olanzapine) Tablets for Schizophrenia and Bipolar I

What Zyprexa® Is and How It Works

Zyprexa (olanzapine) is an atypical antipsychotic. It treats schizophrenia and acute manic or mixed episodes of Bipolar I disorder. It is available as standard oral tablets and orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs). Typical daily dosing is once per day. Your prescriber sets the dose based on response and tolerability. You can review the zyprexa price by strength before checkout to plan your budget.

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Olanzapine helps balance dopamine and serotonin signaling in the brain. This reduces hallucinations, delusions, agitation, and mood symptoms. For schizophrenia, common maintenance doses range from 10 mg to 20 mg daily. For bipolar mania, the usual starting dose is 10 mg or 15 mg daily, used alone or with lithium or valproate. Orally disintegrating Zyprexa Zydis is bioequivalent to standard tablets and may help if swallowing is difficult.

Olanzapine may also be used with fluoxetine for treatment-resistant depression under specific medical direction. The combination targets mood, sleep, and energy symptoms. Use outside approved indications should be guided by a clinician.

Dosage and Usage

• Schizophrenia (adults): typical start 5–10 mg once daily; common range 10–20 mg daily.
• Bipolar I mania or mixed episodes: start 10–15 mg once daily; may combine with lithium or valproate.
• Adjunct for depression: olanzapine is combined with fluoxetine at prescriber-selected doses.
• Titrate in 5 mg steps at intervals of several days to a week based on response.
• Take tablets once daily, with or without food, at the same time each day.
• Zydis ODT: peel back the foil, do not push tablet through; place on tongue to dissolve, then swallow.
• Missed dose: take when remembered unless it is near the next dose; do not double up.
• Do not stop abruptly unless directed. Stopping suddenly may worsen symptoms.
• Avoid alcohol and cannabis; both increase sedation and impair judgment.
• Smoking can lower olanzapine levels (CYP1A2 induction); prescribers may adjust dose.

• Store tablets at 15–30 °C (59–86 °F) in a dry place away from light.
• Keep ODTs in the blister until use; moisture can damage the wafer.
• Travel with medication in original labeled packaging.
• Carry enough supply for the trip, plus extra for delays.
• Do not freeze or expose to high heat; avoid leaving in a parked car.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits and Savings

Zyprexa helps stabilize mood and improves thought organization. Many people see less agitation, better sleep continuity, and improved daily functioning. Once-daily dosing is simple. The availability of 2.5 mg to 20 mg strengths supports gradual titration for tolerability.

Ordering through YouDrugstore can lower costs compared with typical US pricing. Savings often reach 60–80% depending on strength and brand or generic supply. You can compare zyprexa cost per month by dose, such as a Zyprexa 5 mg tablet for gentle initiation, a Zyprexa 10 mg tablet for common maintenance, or a Zyprexa 15 mg plan when higher potency is needed. We also offer information on the zyprexa 10 mg price and generic zyprexa cost when available.

Multi-month fills may reduce per-month costs compared with single-bottle purchases. You can also set reorder reminders so you do not run short between refills.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common: sleepiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, increased appetite, weight gain.
• Metabolic: increased blood sugar, higher cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Neurologic: tremor, restlessness (akathisia), or muscle stiffness.
• Anticholinergic: blurred vision, urinary hesitation (dose related).
• Orthostatic hypotension: lightheadedness when standing quickly.
• Injection-related effects apply only to IM formulations, not tablets.

Serious but less common risks include neuroleptic malignant syndrome (fever, rigidity), tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movements), severe hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis, seizures, stroke risk in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis, DRESS (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms), and significant neutropenia. Olanzapine is not approved for treating dementia-related psychosis due to increased mortality risk in this population. By itself, olanzapine does not cause hypoglycemia; it may raise blood sugar, so people with diabetes require monitoring.

Onset Time

Initial calming and sleep benefits can appear within several days. For acute mania, improvement often starts within one week, with continued gains across two to four weeks as the dose stabilizes. For schizophrenia, meaningful changes usually build over two to six weeks, with further symptom reduction across several months. Weight and metabolic changes can develop early and should be monitored over time.

Compare With Alternatives

Quetiapine is another atypical antipsychotic with benefits in schizophrenia, bipolar mania, and bipolar depression. It tends to be more sedating at lower doses. You can review dosing and options under Quetiapine Fumarate to discuss with your prescriber.

Risperidone is effective for positive symptoms and irritability, with a different side-effect profile, including more prolactin elevation risk. It can be suitable when weight gain is a concern but may increase extrapyramidal symptoms at higher doses.

If swallowing tablets is difficult, the orally disintegrating option may help. The formulation offered as Zyprexa® Zydis dissolves on the tongue and delivers the same active medicine.

First-generation agents like trifluoperazine can control positive symptoms but usually carry higher risks of stiffness or tremor. They may be considered in specific situations.

Combination Therapy

• With mood stabilizers: lithium or valproate for acute mania or maintenance; monitor for additive sedation and weight gain.
• With antidepressants: fluoxetine combination may help treatment-resistant depression; prescribers adjust doses cautiously.
• With benzodiazepines: short-term anxiety relief may be used sparingly; watch for excessive sedation.
• With sleep agents: low-dose sedative options may be timed at night if needed; avoid overlapping CNS depressants without guidance.
• Medical comorbidities: monitor glucose and lipids in people with diabetes or dyslipidemia; dose adjustments may be needed with CYP1A2 inducers (e.g., smoking).

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Candidates include adults and adolescents diagnosed with schizophrenia or Bipolar I disorder who need symptom control and a once-daily regimen. It may suit those who benefit from stronger sedation at night. People needing an ODT can consider the dissolving formulation.

Those who may not be good candidates include elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis, people with prior neuroleptic malignant syndrome, severe uncontrolled diabetes or hyperlipidemia, significant hepatic impairment, or a history of severe drug rash. Caution is advised in pregnancy and breastfeeding; newborns may experience withdrawal or movement symptoms if exposed late in pregnancy. Alcohol and illicit stimulant use can worsen safety and outcomes.

To manage costs, compare strengths side by side, including zyprexa 5 mg, zyprexa 10 mg tablet, zyprexa 7.5 mg, and zyprexa 15 mg options. Generic olanzapine offers additional savings where appropriate. Multi-month supplies can lower the zyprexa cost per month. You can set reorder reminders to restock ahead of time.

Authoritative Sources

Eli Lilly Zyprexa Prescribing Information (US)

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Olanzapine

FDA Medication Guide and Label for Olanzapine

Order Zyprexa® from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express shipping.

This content is educational and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s directions for diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring.