What Members Say

These insights are based on 163 comments about Zyprexa from MyDepressionTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of individuals and are not meant to be medical advice.

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How Zyprexa Works and How It’s Taken

Zyprexa is a type of antipsychotic medicine that affects certain brain chemical signals, including dopamine and serotonin. The exact way it works is not fully known. In people with bipolar 1 disorder, this may help manage manic or mixed episodes.

Doctors prescribe Zyprexa to treat manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder in adults and adolescents ages 13 to 17 years, and for maintenance treatment of bipolar 1 disorder in adults.

Zyprexa is taken as a tablet by mouth, typically once daily. It can be taken with or without food.

Zyprexa is also available as orally disintegrating tablets and as an intramuscular injection.

The recommended starting dose of Zyprexa for adults with manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder is 10 milligrams or 15 milligrams once daily.

The recommended starting dose of Zyprexa for adolescents ages 13 to 17 years is 2.5 milligrams or 5 milligrams once daily, with a target dose of 10 milligrams daily.

In some cases, Zyprexa may also be used together with fluoxetine for depressive episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder in adults.

This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

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Top Advice From Members on Zyprexa

These insights are based on 163 comments about Zyprexa from MyDepressionTeam members.

Members who use Zyprexa often say it helps to stay in close contact with a psychiatrist, especially when side effects, mood changes, or dose timing become concerns. Many also mention monitoring weight and blood sugar, watching for sedation and injection-related effects, and giving the medication some time to settle in.

1. 1

   Talk to your doctor about side effects that feel hard to manage.
   “I’m on Zyprexa, though, and it has given me swollen legs, hands, and feet, loss of sleep, and restless legs.”

2. 2

   Keep track of weight, appetite, and blood sugar changes.
   “I have taken it in the past and I gained a TON of weight very quickly. I am hoping that doesn’t happen with it this go-around.”

3. 3

   Be aware that sedation and tiredness can affect daily activities.
   “I take Zyprexa daily and it doesn’t have any other major side effects, but it makes me feel drowsy all day.”

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Zyprexa Side Effects

In clinical studies of adults and adolescents taking Zyprexa for manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder, side effects reported with Zyprexa included the following:

• Somnolence (sleepiness)
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Asthenia (feeling weak or lacking energy)
• Constipation
• Dyspepsia (upset stomach or indigestion)
• Increased appetite
• Tremor
• Sedation
• Pain in extremity

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Zyprexa can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:

• Increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis — Zyprexa is not approved for this use.
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors — The risk can be higher in people with bipolar 1 disorder.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) — This is a rare, life-threatening reaction that can cause high fever, severe muscle stiffness, confusion, sweating, and unstable blood pressure or heart rate.
• Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) — This severe drug reaction can include rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and organ problems such as hepatitis or kidney inflammation.
• High blood sugar and diabetes — These can be severe and may lead to diabetic ketoacidosis or coma.
• High cholesterol or triglycerides — Unhealthy changes in blood fats can occur.
• Weight gain — This can be significant.
• Tardive dyskinesia — Possibly irreversible, uncontrolled movements can occur, often of the face or tongue.
• Orthostatic hypotension — A drop in blood pressure when standing can cause dizziness, fainting, or changes in heart rate.
• Falls — These can occur due to sleepiness, low blood pressure, or problems with balance.
• Low white blood cell counts, including neutropenia or agranulocytosis — These can raise the risk of serious infections.
• Trouble swallowing — This can raise the risk of choking or breathing food or liquid into the lungs.
• Seizures — Seizures can occur.
• Cognitive and motor impairment — Slower thinking or reactions can affect driving or using machinery.
• Problems with body temperature regulation — Overheating or dehydration can occur.
• Anticholinergic effects — These can include severe constipation, trouble urinating, or fast heart rate.
• Hyperprolactinemia — High prolactin levels can cause missed periods, breast milk production, sexual side effects, and, over time, bone loss.
• Severe allergic reactions — These can include swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or hives.
• Liver injury — This can include hepatitis or jaundice, which can cause yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• Pancreatitis — Inflammation of the pancreas can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.
• Blood clots in veins — Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism can cause leg swelling or pain, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
• Rhabdomyolysis — Serious muscle breakdown can cause muscle pain, weakness, and kidney problems.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

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How To Save on Zyprexa

Zyprexa is available in a generic form called olanzapine, which may cost less than the brand-name version.

If cost is a concern, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether a lower-cost generic option may be appropriate for you.

You can also check with your insurance provider or pharmacy about coverage, copays, or savings programs that may apply to your prescription.

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What To Know Before Taking Zyprexa

Before starting Zyprexa, your doctor should test your fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to olanzapine or any ingredients in Zyprexa.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Do not take Zyprexa if you have had a serious allergic reaction to olanzapine or any of its ingredients.

Zyprexa is also FDA-approved to treat schizophrenia and manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder, including maintenance treatment of bipolar 1 disorder in adults. In some cases, olanzapine may also be used together with fluoxetine for depressive episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder and treatment-resistant depression.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Zyprexa, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.

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Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

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Learn More

On MyDepressionTeam, people share their experiences with bipolar depression, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

• Prescribing Information — Zyprexa
• 6 Treatments for Bipolar 1: Anti-Seizure Medications, Antipsychotics, and More — MyDepressionTeam
• How Long Does Bipolar Psychosis Last? Symptoms, Treatment, and Facts — MyDepressionTeam
• How Is Bipolar Disorder Treated? — MyDepressionTeam
• Bipolar Disorder — National Alliance on Mental Illness

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