Olanzapine

Pronounced oh-LAN-zah-peen

Brand names: Zyprexa

Type: Atypical antipsychotic · All Mental Health Medicines

What Olanzapine is used for

  • Schizophrenia
  • Bipolar mania and maintenance
  • Severe agitation (injection)

Common side effects

  • Weight gain
  • Drowsiness
  • Increased appetite
  • Dry mouth
  • Constipation

Important cautions

  • Among the antipsychotics most likely to cause major weight gain and diabetes — metabolic monitoring is essential
  • Antipsychotics carry a warning of increased death risk when used for dementia-related psychosis in older adults

How it comes

Tablets, dissolving tablets, injection. This guide lists forms only — it never lists strengths or doses.

Please note: This page is a patient-education summary, not medical advice, and it deliberately contains no doses. Medicines affect everyone differently — always follow your own prescription and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.