Olanzapine — uses, dosing, side effects & the brands that sell it · pharmaranks
Olanzapine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic sold in the U.S. under 4 brand and generic names, for bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders and schizophrenia. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
By the pharmaranks editorial team·Reviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sources·How we research
Key facts
Drug class
Atypical Antipsychotic
Treats
Bipolar Disorder, Psychotic Disorders and Schizophrenia
From the FDA label for Olanzapine (application ANDA090881). Other olanzapine products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Schizophrenia in adults ( 2.1 ) Oral: Start at 5-10 mg once daily; Target: 10 mg/day within several days Schizophrenia in adolescents ( 2.1 ) Oral: Start at 2.5-5 mg once daily; Target: 10 mg/day Bipolar I Disorder (manic or mixed episodes) in adults ( 2.2 ) Oral: Start at 10 or 15 mg once daily Bipolar I Disorder (manic or mixed episodes) in adolescents ( 2.2 ) Oral: Start at 2.5-5 mg once daily; Target: 10 mg/day Bipolar I Disorder (manic or mixed episodes) with lithium or valproate in adults ( 2.2 ) Oral: Start at 10 mg once daily Agitation associated with Schizophrenia and Bipolar I Mania in adults ( 2.4 ) IM: 10 mg (5 mg or 7.5 mg when clinically warranted) Assess for orthostatic hypotension prior to subsequent dosing (max. 3 doses 2-4 hrs apart) Depressive Episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder in adults ( 2.5 ) Oral in combination with fluoxetine: Start at 5 mg of oral olanzapine and 20 mg of fluoxetine once daily Depressive Episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder in children and adolescents ( 2.5 ) Oral in combination with fluoxetine: Start at 2.5 mg of oral olanzapine and 20 mg of fluoxetine once daily Treatment Resistant Depression in adults ( 2.6 ) Oral in combination with fluoxetine: Start at 5 mg of oral olanzapine and 20 mg of fluoxetine once daily Lower starting dose recommended in debilitated or pharmacodynamically sensitive patients or patients with…
Olanzapine side effects
When using ZYPREXA and fluoxetine in combination, also refer to the Adverse Reactions section of the package insert for Symbyax. Most common adverse reactions (≥5% and at least twice that for placebo) associated with: Oral Olanzapine Monotherapy: Schizophrenia (Adults) – postural hypotension, constipation, weight gain, dizziness, personality disorder, akathisia. ( 6.1 ) Schizophrenia (Adolescents) – sedation, weight increased, headache, increased appetite, dizziness, abdominal pain, pain in extremity, fatigue, dry mouth. ( 6.1 ) Manic or Mixed Episodes, Bipolar I Disorder (Adults) – asthenia, dry mouth, constipation, increased appetite, somnolence, dizziness, tremor. ( 6.1 ) Manic or Mixed Episodes, Bipolar I Disorder (Adolescents) – sedation, weight increased, increased appetite, headache, fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, abdominal pain, pain in extremity. ( 6.1 ) Combination of ZYPREXA and Lithium or Valproate: Manic or Mixed Episodes, Bipolar I Disorder (Adults) – dry mouth, weight gain, increased appetite, dizziness, back pain, constipation, speech disorder, increased salivation, amnesia, paresthesia. ( 6.1 ) ZYPREXA and Fluoxetine in Combination: Also refer to the Adverse Reactions section of the package insert for Symbyax. ( 6 ) ZYPREXA IntraMuscular for Injection: Agitation with Schizophrenia and Bipolar I Mania (Adults) – somnolence. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE…
Every olanzapine product we track (4)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
ZYPREXA (olanzapine) is an atypical antipsychotic that belongs to the thienobenzodiazepine class. The chemical designation is 2-methyl-4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-10 H -thieno[2,3- b ] [1,5]benzodiazepine. The molecular formula is C 17 H 20 N 4 S, which corresponds to a molecular weight of 312.44. The chemical structure is: Olanzapine is a yellow crystalline solid, which is practically insoluble in water. ZYPREXA tablets are intended for oral administration only. Each tablet contains olanzapine equivalent to 2.5 mg (8 μmol), 5 mg (16 μmol), 7.5 mg (24 μmol), 10 mg (32 μmol), 15 mg (48 μmol), or 20 mg (64 μmol). Inactive ingredients are carnauba wax, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and other inactive ingredients. The color coating contains Titanium Dioxide (all strengths), FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake (15 mg), or Synthetic Red Iron Oxide (20 mg). The 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 mg tablets are imprinted with edible ink which contains FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake. ZYPREXA ZYDIS (olanzapine orally disintegrating tablets) is intended for oral administration only. Each orally disintegrating tablet contains olanzapine equivalent to 5 mg (16 μmol), 10 mg (32 μmol), 15 mg (48 μmol) or 20 mg (64 μmol). It begins disintegrating in the mouth within seconds, allowing its contents to be subsequently…
What kind of drug is olanzapine?
The FDA classifies olanzapine as an atypical antipsychotic. Atypical antipsychotics block dopamine D2 receptors and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in the brain, rebalancing these signaling chemicals to reduce hallucinations, delusions, and mood symptoms in conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take olanzapine with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run olanzapine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is olanzapine sold under?
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Who shouldn’t take olanzapine
None with ZYPREXA monotherapy. When using ZYPREXA and fluoxetine in combination, also refer to the Contraindications section of the package insert for Symbyax. For specific information about the contraindications of lithium or valproate, refer to the Contraindications section of the package inserts for these other products. None with ZYPREXA monotherapy. ( 4 ) When using ZYPREXA and fluoxetine in combination, also refer to the Contraindications section of the package insert for Symbyax ® . ( 4 ) When using ZYPREXA in combination with lithium or valproate, refer to the Contraindications section of the package inserts for those products. ( 4 )
Olanzapine drug interactions
The risks of using olanzapine in combination with other drugs have not been extensively evaluated in systematic studies. Diazepam: May potentiate orthostatic hypotension. ( 7.1 , 7.2 ) Alcohol: May potentiate orthostatic hypotension. ( 7.1 ) Carbamazepine: Increased clearance of olanzapine. ( 7.1 ) Fluvoxamine: May increase olanzapine levels. ( 7.1 ) ZYPREXA and Fluoxetine in Combination: Also refer to the Drug Interactions section of the package insert for Symbyax. ( 7.1 ) CNS Acting Drugs: Caution should be used when taken in combination with other centrally acting drugs and alcohol. ( 7.2 ) Antihypertensive Agents: Enhanced antihypertensive effect. ( 7.2 ) Levodopa and Dopamine Agonists: May antagonize levodopa/dopamine agonists. ( 7.2 ) Lorazepam (IM): Increased somnolence with IM olanzapine. ( 7.2 ) Other Concomitant Drug Therapy: When using olanzapine in combination with lithium or valproate, refer to the Drug Interactions sections of the package insert for those products. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Potential for Other Drugs to Affect Olanzapine Diazepam — The co-administration of diazepam with olanzapine potentiated the orthostatic hypotension observed with olanzapine [see Drug Interactions ( 7.2 )] . Cimetidine and Antacids — Single doses of cimetidine (800 mg) or aluminum- and magnesium-containing antacids did not affect the oral bioavailability of olanzapine. Inducers of CYP1A2 —…
We track 4 olanzapine-containing products in the U.S.: Olanzapine, Zyprexa, Zyprexa Relprevv and Zyprexa Zydis. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does olanzapine come in?
Across the brands we track, olanzapine is currently marketed as injectable, powder, tablet, tablet, orally disintegrating and kit, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic olanzapine?
Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic olanzapine product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.
Has olanzapine been recalled?
The FDA's Enforcement database lists 1 recall record whose product description mentions olanzapine. The most recent: Olanzapine Tablets (Nov 25, 2024). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.