How to use Olanzapine? (Zyprexa, zydis, zypadhera) - Doctor Explains

In this video we will cover everything you need to know about Olanzapine, also known as Zyprexa. This video is part of a video series on mental health problems. So for more mental health related videos check out this playlist:

Generic name: Olanzapine.
Brand names: Zyprexa, zydis and zypadhera.
Available as a tablet and injection.

How to use it?
Swallow the tablet completely with half a glass of water. Do not break them and don’t chew on them.
When using injections: These will be administered by your doctor or nurse into your buttock muscle.

Duration of treatment:
The duration of treatment depends on the indication of use and the severity of your symptoms. If your symptoms improve with the use of Olanzapine you usually have to keep using it for 12-24 more months. And sometimes multiple years.

When to use it?
Olanzapine is part of a group of drugs called antipsychotics. It can be used to treat several mental health conditions:
- Schizophrenia.
- Manic episodes in bipolar disorder.

What is the correct dosage?
Unfortunately I can’t provide you with guidelines for the correct dosages, as these differ a lot depending on the specific indication, the side effects you experience and the severity of your complaints.
Usually your doctor starts with a low dose and quickly builds it up over a few days. Afterwards your maintenance dose will be adapted throughout your treatment based on the blood levels of Olanzapine you will be having.
Therefore always use the prescribed dose and frequency your doctor gave you.

What are the side-effects?
Very common (10+%): sleepiness, low blood pressure, weight gain and sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction, decreased libido).
Common (1-10%): increased appetite, changes in your blood values, constipation, dry mouth, dizziness, tiredness, fever, joint pain, rash and visual hallucinations.
Uncommon (0.1-1%): allergic reaction, stuttering and thrombosis.

Safety:
- You should be careful to combine Olanzapine with alcohol. As this might increase the dazing effect of Olanzapine.
- In addition it is usually safe to drive while using this drug, however it can cause you to become drowsy, sleepy and/or dizzy. If you experiencing any of these side effects then please do not drive.
- Lastly, Olanzapine can have interactions with several drugs. Therefore always discuss this with your treating physician.

Pregnancy and Lactation:
Olanzapine can often be used safely in both cases, however always discuss this with your doctor, as there are some exceptions.

- Disclaimer: this video and the comments are meant purely informational! This is not medical advice! If you are looking for medical advice always contact your own doctor. -

I want to give special thanks to my sponsors on Patreon:
- Sebastian Houwing: Investor
- Roel: Supporter

Literature:
1: Farmacotherapeutisch Kompas. (2020). Olanzapine

Music:
1. Verified Picasso, Fish Room
2. Patrick Patrikos, Good Times
3: Patrick Patrikios. Rockville

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[dodgdurango]

It slowed my thinking to a point where I couldn’t really concentrate on a conversation. I’d rather have that than the latter. I love it, it helps me sleep at night.

[sammywilliam]

You're the only person I look up You are The Only person that I actually can trust to give me the Honest information and not any of the fluff or filler

[cariesmith]

I am thankful for the educational video regarding Olanzapine.
My Dr has prescribed the medication for me and I have been experiencing side effects.
I appreciate your time. Have a great day!!

[Wizard_Sony]

dont take this. It ruined my life. Feelin like a zombie, no joy and no thoughts. Wish my mom could understand and stop forcing me to take it

[eddieinthebed]

Olanzapine gave me such a nice manic high when I first started. I miss it, but I'm glad to say that I'm much happy now.

[Prometheushighaf]

I took it for years and all it did was make me obese and brain dead. But hey I'm not psychotic anymore and my body in the mirror disgusts me :D

[chrishorv]

I've been prescribed this. Everyone whom knows me, says the doctors prescribed it to me because I'm too smart for my own good!, I think there right& I'm not dummying down for no one

[Sagelystables]

I got put on Abilify and hated it because it made my anxiety worse and I was way too tired and had loss of appetite I Switched to Olanzapine and so far its good for me I have my energy back. And I can live with more appetite, I’ll just watch how much I eat.

[mammon]

While it hasn't ruined my life, I actually like the memory loss, most of my days are not worth remembering anyway. Main side effects for me is dry mouth and migraines.

[ag]

This drug immediately caused me erectile dysfunction, which I didn’t mind at first because one of my worst symptoms of bipolar was hyper sexuality, but after I quit taking the drug for over a month, I still have ED. I may just continue using it as it did help with my mood and behaviour. Not sure what to do

[theowink]

It saved my life
(Not sleeping for 3 months)
But i want to live again having emotions
Not like a plant
It’s hard to balance
If I sleep bad 1 mg is all it takes to work
Being bipolar and sexual feelings are gone and is not coming back
Watch out!

[dmtdreamz]

You trip so hard you don't even know that you took Zyprexa. You forget because your memories are imaginary. You could have conversations with friends that you knew from high school and you can sit there for two hours having a conversation with this good friend of yours from high school, only to realize two hours later that you never even knew this person and that this person never even was in your room. You were just talking to the wall but you were hallucinating an entire human being with whom you had an intelligent conversation.

[Smackbox]

How to use Olanzapine: Take the tablet out of the box. Put it in your hand. Move your hand over the garbage bin. Drop the tablet. Done. Unless you've been on it for a few weeks then you need to taper.

[JohnWick-vygf]

Olanzapine helped me i dont hear voices in my head after 18 years smoking weed

[TAYLORmm]

I was prescribed this for anxiety disorder? It helps, I dont feel weird on it and nothing like that. I also take Paxil 30mg and Mirtazapine! I had a severe case of panic a while back so yeah, not fun

[KidBassMusic]

Just started taking this I hope it helps. Noted the side effects for later I’ll update.

[greenmachine_keviv]

My psychiatrist has prescribed me this medication as I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. Now been almost 6 months on this and me being a chain cigarette smoker. I think I have lost my fluency to speak properly, I keep stammering and my mouth opening has been short...

[ishadow]

Shakiness I think is a side effect that I didn’t know was from Zyprexa

[stalebreadzz]

I’ve gained so much weight, partly due to this medication I think...

[koalafromtomorrow]

I wish this medication was made illegal