Zyprexa® Intramuscular (Olanzapine) for Acute Agitation

What Zyprexa® Is and How It Works

Zyprexa® Intramuscular contains olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic used for short-term control of acute agitation in adults with Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder. It is given as a fast-acting intramuscular (IM) injection by a healthcare professional. If looking for Zyprexa Intramuscular without insurance, YouDrugstore can help with transparent pricing and guidance on available pack sizes.

Olanzapine blocks dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. This balance helps reduce agitation, hostility, and psychotic symptoms. The IM form reaches active blood levels quickly and is intended for rapid calming. It is not a maintenance treatment and is often followed by oral therapy once the patient is stable.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy based in Manitoba. Orders are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing. We offer brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices, with online ordering and friendly customer-service chat during posted hours.

We source through licensed, vetted partner pharmacies and wholesalers, so you receive authentic brands and a broad selection at fair international prices.

Dosage and Usage

Dosing is individualized by the prescriber and administered by qualified staff in clinical settings. The information below is for general reference.

• Typical adult starting dose: 10 mg IM as a single dose for agitation due to schizophrenia or bipolar I mania.
• Follow-up dosing: 5–10 mg may be repeated based on response and clinical judgment. Space doses by at least 2 hours. Do not exceed 30 mg total in 24 hours or more than 3 injections.
• Transition: switch to oral antipsychotic therapy as soon as feasible for ongoing control.
• Preparation: reconstitute the vial with Sterile Water for Injection to the labeled concentration per the package directions. Gently agitate until the solution is uniform.
• Administration: inject deep IM into the gluteal or deltoid muscle. Do not give IV or subcutaneous.
• Concomitant benzodiazepines: avoid parenteral benzodiazepines within 1 hour of IM olanzapine due to risk of excessive sedation and cardiorespiratory depression.

Missed dose

• IM olanzapine is generally used as needed in supervised settings. If a planned dose is missed, clinical teams determine timing for any subsequent dose.

Storage and travel

• Store unopened vials at controlled room temperature (about 15–30°C) in the original carton to protect from light.
• Use reconstituted solution promptly per local policy. Do not freeze solutions.
• If you are arranging supply for a facility, keep vials secure and upright during transport.
• Check your order upon arrival and keep the package insert for reference.

Benefits and Savings

Zyprexa® Intramuscular acts quickly to reduce agitation and aggression. Many patients experience calming within the first hour, which supports safer assessments and care. The IM route avoids swallowing issues and allows consistent delivery in acute settings.

Ordering through YouDrugstore can lower costs by 60–80% compared with typical US prices. This can be helpful for clinics paying without insurance, community programs, and caregivers coordinating care across settings. We carry both brand and generic options when available.

Side Effects and Safety

Most reactions are dose-related and often transient. Clinical monitoring is standard in the setting where IM olanzapine is used.

• Common: sleepiness, dizziness, injection-site pain, dry mouth, constipation, increased appetite, restlessness, or mild tremor.
• Metabolic: weight gain, increases in blood sugar or cholesterol over time (more relevant to ongoing oral use).
• Cardiovascular/CNS: orthostatic hypotension, slow or fast heartbeat, fainting, confusion, or excessive sedation.
• Extrapyramidal symptoms: akathisia or rigidity can occur but are usually less frequent than with older antipsychotics.
• Serious: severe allergic reaction, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (fever, rigidity, confusion), seizures, marked hypotension, or severe neutropenia.
• Black box and special populations: increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis; IM olanzapine is not approved for this use.

Risk increases with concomitant CNS depressants, recent alcohol use, dehydration, or antihypertensive drugs. Avoid IV administration. Do not combine with parenteral benzodiazepines within 1 hour of the injection. Report concerning reactions to a clinician promptly.

Onset Time

Clinical calming often appears within 15–45 minutes after an IM dose, with peak effect around 1–2 hours. Duration can extend several hours, depending on dose and patient factors. Ongoing stabilization usually involves transition to oral antipsychotic therapy.

Compare With Alternatives

Other short-acting IM antipsychotics for agitation include haloperidol and ziprasidone. Haloperidol has a longer use history but more extrapyramidal effects. Ziprasidone offers an atypical option but may affect the QT interval. Aripiprazole IM is another atypical choice with a different side-effect profile.

When oral or rapidly dissolving formulations are suitable, options such as Zyprexa® Zydis may help transition care. Some patients later move to other agents like Abilify® based on response, metabolic profile, or long-term goals.

Combination Therapy

Short-acting IM olanzapine is often one component of a broader plan. After initial control of agitation, teams commonly convert to oral olanzapine or another maintenance antipsychotic. For bipolar I mania, mood stabilizers such as lithium or valproate may be used in the long term. Avoid parenteral benzodiazepines near the time of IM olanzapine dosing due to additive sedation. Tobacco smoking can increase olanzapine clearance, and certain enzyme inducers or inhibitors may alter exposure. Clinicians adjust therapy based on comorbidities, labs, and treatment response.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

IM olanzapine is intended for agitated adults with schizophrenia or bipolar I mania who need rapid symptom control. It is administered by trained healthcare professionals. It is not for elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. Caution is used in patients with cardiovascular disease, severe liver impairment, seizure history, or those at risk for hypotension.

You can lower expenses by choosing generic olanzapine vials where available, using larger pack sizes when practical, and coordinating fewer shipments. Reorder reminders can help clinics maintain stock and avoid urgent purchases. If you are comparing prices for Zyprexa Intramuscular without insurance, our team can outline current options and pack sizes offered on the product page.

For current promotions and bulk options, see our Zyprexa Intramuscular coupon page for available deals. Prices can vary by strength, manufacturer, and supply conditions.

For background on antipsychotic safety and alcohol interactions, you may find these articles helpful: Abilify And Alcohol Risks And Safety Tips and Abilify Side Effects What To Watch For And How To Manage. Explore our condition pages on Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder for more educational context.

Authoritative Sources

Review detailed prescribing information from reliable sources before use:

• Eli Lilly Zyprexa Prescribing Information (includes IM formulation)
• FDA Drugs@FDA entry for olanzapine
• Health Canada Drug Product Database

Order from YouDrugstore for caring support from a licensed Canadian pharmacy. Our team reviews prescriptions, and our pharmacists can address medication questions. We offer prompt, express, cold-chain shipping to the US where appropriate.

This content is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always follow the directions and precautions provided by a healthcare professional and the product manufacturer.