Olanzapine

Medically Reviewed by HaVy Ngo, Pharm.D.

Last Reviewed: Jun 15, 2022

Pros & Cons


What are the pros and cons of olanzapine (Zypreza, Zypraxa Zydis, Zyprexa Relprevv)?

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  • Available as a generic at a lower price
  • Olanzapine is approved to treat depression that has failed other therapies.
  • Can be used in teenagers and children as young as ten years old
  • Orally disintegrating tablets are available for adults and children with problems swallowing.
  • Clinical trials have shown that schizophrenic patients treated with olanzapine start to show improvements sooner than patients treated with other atypical antipsychotics.


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  • Can cause severe drowsiness and sedation
  • Compared to other atypical antipsychotics, olanzapine is more likely to cause metabolic changes such as weight gain, high blood sugar, high blood cholesterol, and triglycerides.