Zyprexa information (Olanzapine)
Olanzapine(Zyprexa)Information
From Leonard Holmes, Ph.D.,
Your Guide to Mental Health Resources.
Zyprexa, like the other atypical antipsychotics, appears to work by by blocking certain serotonin and dopamine receptors. Unlike some other medications it blocks the serotonin receptors more potently than the dopamine receptors. Zyprexa appears to be better at blocking serotonin and dopamine than Clozaril, but it also appears to have a greater risk of causing extrapyramidal side effects than Clozaril. These side effects were common in older antipsychotic medications, and include restlessness, slowing of some movements, decreased facial expressions, tremor or rigidity of arms and head, and muscle tissue toxicity. Zyprexia was originally used to treat schizophrenia, but Eli Lilly received FDA approval in March 2000 to market Zyprexa for the treatment of bipolar disorder in the United States.