Olanzapine is the generic equivalent of Zyprexa®. Olanzapine also comes in an oral disintegrating tablet and is the generic equivalent of Zyprexa® Zydis.

By law, a generic drug must be the same as its brand name counterpart in terms of active ingredient, dosage, safety, effectiveness, strength, stability, and quality. A generic may, however, differ in its inactive ingredients (i.e. flavoring, fillers, and preservatives).

Olanzapine is FDA approved for:

• Schizophrenia

• Acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder

• Maintenance of bipolar I disorder

Olanzapine can be used in combination with fluoxetine for:

• Treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder

• Treatment-resistant depression

Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic. How olanzapine works remains unclear, but it’s thought to work on certain neurotransmitters (dopamine and serotonin) in the brain to improve behaviors and mood.

The most common side effects of olanzapine include:

• Constipation

• Weight gain

• Dizziness, headache

• Drowsiness

• Abnormal physical weakness or fatigue (asthenia)

• Increased appetite

• Low blood pressure when standing after sitting or lying down (postural hypotension)

• Abdominal pain

Side effects may improve over time as your body adjusts to the medicine.

This list doesn’t represent all possible side effects (or serious side effects) of olanzapine. If you’re experiencing any ongoing, bothersome side effect(s), tell your healthcare provider right away.

If you’d like to learn more, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also has a helpful medication guide for olanzapine here.

Olanzapine (Zyprexa®) does come with serious warnings. These include:

• Increased risk of death and cerebrovascular events (i.e. stroke, transient ischemic attack) in older adults with dementia-related psychosis*

• Worsening depression; increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in young adults

• Increased fall risk

• Infection risk due to decreased white blood cell count (WBC)

• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

• Metabolic changes, including high blood sugar, increased cholesterol and triglycerides, and weight gain

• Tardive dyskinesia—a movement disorder featuring uncontrollable, strange, repetitive movements of the face and/or other body parts

• Low blood pressure (hypotension)

• High prolactin levels

• Seizures

• Decreased thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)

• Prolongation of QT interval—a potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disorder that can cause fast, irregular heartbeats

• Cognitive and motor impairment

If any of the above concern you, speak with your doctor or pharmacist about your perceived risk and other treatment options that exist.

*This warning is a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious type of medication warning assigned by the FDA.