Treating of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

Olanzapine is a novel anti-psychotic agent. It is one of the second generation anti-psychotic (SGA). It got approval for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

How do Olanzapine work?

Olanzapine belongs to the class of drugs use to manage psychosis. It works in the brain in order to treat the symptoms of above discussed disorder. It is beloved to work as an antagonist at D2 and 5HT2A receptors. The mechanism of action is to induce neuroleptic action. Olanzapine rebalances serotonin and dopamine to improve mood, thinking & behaviors.

What are the uses of Olanzapine?

Olanzapine is useful in the treatment of the following disease.

• Treats both negative and positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
• It is combined with lithium or valproate for treatment of actual mania with bipolar disorder.
• Psychotic symptoms of dementia.
• Decrease hallucinations.
• It may be used useful in combination with other medication for the treatment of depression.
• It may also be used for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and severe behavioral disorder in the autism.
• Balance certain natural chemicals in the brain.
• It may be used for another purpose not listed in medication guide.

How to take Olanzapine?

It is available in the form of tablets of 2.5mg, 5mg, and 10mg. you should take it one time in a day. Doses of the Olanzapine depends on the reason for its use.

The elimination of Olanzapine is faster in,

1. Younger than in older people (over 60years)
2. In men than in women.
3. In smokers than in non-smokers.

So Doctor can adjust the dose according to the above criteria. You can take it with or without food.

Dosage

Starting dose is 5-10mg. The dose is adjusted as per the need. The doctor may increases 5mg increments one time in a week. Maximum does recommend is 20mg per day.

What are the Precautions in taking Olanzapine?

It is important to take precautions in certain cases with Olanzapine.

• People with seizure disorders & enlarged prostate.
• Patient with liver disease should monitor your liver function. Olanzapine can effect liver functioning in these patients.
• Pregnant & Breast-feeding women shouldn’t take Olanzapine.
• Inform your doctor if you put on weight.
• Avoid some work which needs alertness until you feel fresh.e.g. Driving, use of machines etc.
• Tell your doctor regarding any other medicine you take. This may avoid the risk of interaction or side effects.
• Inform your doctor conditions like glaucoma, diabetes and epilepsy.
• Heart patients should be cautious. It may lead to falling in blood pressure. This results in dizziness & rapid Heartbeats.

Cost of Olanzapine (Generic & Brand)

Both of them contain same active ingredient as Olanzapine. Generic drugs is cheaper than brand ones. Generic medicines don’t include the cost spend on research or development. It isn’t associated with a brand name of a company. All the above measure reduces the cost of generic drug.

Generic Olanzapine

Zyprexa