Antidepressant Zyprexa

Zyprexa is a popular antipsychotic drug that is also referred as Olanzapine. It alters some of the neurotransmitters in the brain that result in significant changes in moods and cognition. It belongs to the group of medications called atypical antipsychotics. It is used for treating symptoms related to bipolar disorder (also called manic depression) and schizophrenia. Sometimes, this medication can also be combined with other antidepressants or antipsychotic drugs to treat certain other psychological disorders. It helps in reducing the severity of hallucinations in patients. This drug was introduced by Eli Lilly in the year 1982.

Uses of Zyprexa

There are many uses associated to Zyprexa. The most common ones are mentioned below:

• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder (manic depression)

Other investigational uses are:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Delusional parasitosis
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Panic disorder
• Stuttering
• Tourette syndrome

Side effects of Zyprexa

If a patient is prescribed Zyprexa by a psychiatrist, he/she must look out for certain side effects that are unnecessary and can cause harm. Some of the general ones are mentioned below:

Major side effects:

• Unusual weight loss or gain
• Movements that cannot be controlled of the back, face, and neck
• Rapid gain of weight
• Restlessness
• Mask-like face
• Impaired vision
• Drooling
• Difficulty in swallowing food items
• Cannot sit still in one place
• Shuffling walk
• Arms and legs become stiff
• Jerky or tic-like movements experienced
• Slowed movements
• Slurred speech
• Impaired vision
• Losing balance
• Muscle stiffness, jerking, or trembling
• Blurred vision
• Changes observed in vision
• Swelling or bloating of the feet, lower legs, arms, face, or hands
• Unsteadiness or clumsiness
• Changes observed in balance and walking
• Shuffling walk
• Losing memory
• Nervousness
• Dizziness
• Chest pain
• Bruising
• Cloudy or bloody urine
• Laboured or difficult breathing
• Frequent need to urinate
• Pain experienced during intercourse
• Muscle tightness or tension
• Losing bladder control
• Purplish, blue, flat, and large patched observed on the skin
• Cannot move eyes
• Headache
• Twitching
• Chest tightening
• Legs and arms weaken
• Unusual facial or body movements
• Tongue sticking out

Minor side effects:

• Trouble sleeping
• Losing appetite
• Sneezing
• Thirst
• Trouble in sleeping
• Trouble in concentrating
• Runny nose
• Fever
• Feeling empty or sad
• Discouragement
• Changes observed in personality
• Heartburn
• Increased cough
• Stuffy nose

Contraindications

Certain conditions are there when this medication is strictly not allowed to patients. Both the doctor and patient must be aware of them. They are:

• Allergic to Olanzapine
• Suicidal thoughts
• Liver disease (severe)
• High cholesterol
• Decrease in blood volume
• Parkinson symptoms
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• Smoking tobacco
• Closed angle glaucoma

Zyprexa and Pregnancy

The FDA assigned this drug to the category C. This means that the foetus may suffer significant harm if taken when expecting.

Mode of Ingestion

It is either injected intramuscularly or taken through the mouth.