drug: olanzapine
*
- Clinical class: anti-manic, atypical antipsychotic, psychotropic
- Action: selective monoaminergic antagonist, including dopamine
- Chemical class: thienobenzodiazepine
- Active metabolite: none
- DEA schedule: none
- FDA Medwatch Consumer Advisory
- MEDLINEplus® Drug Information
U.S. Preparations:
- Zyprexa®, Zydis® (Lilly)
FDA approved for treatment of: manifestations of psychotic disorders 9.30.1996;
acute mania
3.17.2000; combination with lithium or
valproate for the treatment of acute
manic episodes associated with
bipolar disorder 7.10.2003;
maintenance treatment of
bipolar disorder 1.14.2004 US Prescribing Information
Combination with fluoxetine
Preparations Outside U.S.:
- Olasek, Ziprexa
Stephen Stahl's Clinical Pearls* (Consult your physician before making any change in your treatment.)
- Well accepted for use in schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, including difficult cases
- Many anecdotal reports of use in children and treatment-refractory cases, and for positive symptoms of psychosis in disorders other than schizophrenia
- Documented efficacy as augmenting agent to SSRIs in non-psychotic, treatment-resistant, major depressive disorders
- Muscarinic antagonist properties theoretically unfavorable for cognition in schizophrenia, and in elderly people, but cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia may improve in some clinical trials.
- Same as placebo does not mean never, although EPS unusual at low to mid doses.
- More weight gain than with other anti-psychotics; this does not mean that every patient gains weight.
- Not necessary to monitor liver function tests except in significant liver disease
| Books and Other Media: Follow the hypertext link to purchase items online. |
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- Wyden, Peter Conquering Schizophrenia - A Father, His Son, and A Medical Breakthrough This book by Peter Wyden (1977) tells of the twenty five years that the author's son struggled with schizophrenia. It documents how he was hospitalized numerous times and of the many, many psychiatrists, clinics and group homes he was involved with. It also tells of the various medications taken, the shock treatments, and even the hypnosis tried. It then explains that he was put on olanzapine and in his father's words, "Jeff was like a civilian!" His mind was opening and even though there is no cure now there is home. It's a good book and full of solid information. - W/AMI
*Reprinted with permission from: Stahl, Stephen M Psychopharmacology of Antipsychotics Paperback 1999 Martin Dunitz, Ltd You cannot fully appreciate this book until you have seen the extraordinary illustrations of every aspect of this area of psychopharmacology and neurochemistry. Loaded with practical clinical "pearls."
*Molecule graphic courtesy of Steve Chapman