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Zyprexa (Olanzapine) is called an atypical antipsychotic medication. The scientific
or generic name is olanzapine. According to manufacturer Eli Lilly,
Zyprexa (Olanzapine) was the first atypical antipsychotic medication to be approved
for short-term treatment of bipolar mania. Zyprexa acts as a mood
stabilizer. For long-term schizophrenia treatment, it helps to control
hallucinations, delusions, apathy, and withdrawal.
In 1996 the FDA approved Olanzapine (Zyprexa) for sale in the United States; since
then Zyprexa has been prescribed to more than 12 million people
worldwide. The class of anti-psychotic drugs also includes Clozaril,
Risperdal, Seroquel, Geodon, and Abilify.
In September 2003, as a result of hundreds of adverse reactions and
reported complaints of hyperglycemia, diabetes, ketoacidosis,
pancreatitis, and other related conditions, the FDA ordered Eli Lilly to
change the Zyprexa (Olanzapine) label warning patients of the dire complications.
The manufacturer recommends that Olanzapine patients take the medication at
the same time every day. If you miss a dose by more than half a day, do
not take the missed dose, just start again at your regular time. It is
not necessary to take Zyprexa (Olanzapine) with food. Drinking alcohol while taking
Zyprexa (Olanzapine) is not recommended. Most patients feel the effects of Zyprexa (Olanzapine)
within a week of beginning treatment, but various factors can reduce or
extend this time period.
Zyprexa (Olanzapine) is available as tablets that can be taken once a day, in
strengths including 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg and 20 mg.
Zyprexa (Olanzapine) has been prescribed as being easily tolerated for most people
and that no routine blood monitoring is required. Unfortunately, the
last statement has been proved very wrong.
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