Olanzapine

Olanzapine (Zyprexa^®, Symbyax^®) is one of the atypical antipsychotic medications. Olanzapine has been FDA approved for treatment of schizophrenia and mania in bipolar disorder. The anti-psychiatry website Prozac Spotlight argues that a 1999 study demonstrated that the drug was ineffective in treatment of Parkinson's disease.

In December 2003 the FDA approved Symbyax^® to treat bipolar depression. Symbyax^® is a combination of fluoxetine and olanzapine.

Side Effects

Common side effects include muscle-rigidity, muscle-stiffness, muscle-twitches, restlesness, sedation, and weight-gain. Olanzapine is reported to cause tardive dyskinesia and neurological malignant syndrome.

Olanzapine is manufactured by Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY).