Zyprexa (Olanzapine) for Alzheimer's

Overview
Zyprexa is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of schizophrenia. Zyprexa is also known by its drug name, Olanzapine. Zyprexa is sometimes prescribed to treat sleep problems, hallucinations, agitation, aggression, lack of cooperativeness, delusions, and hostility in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Zyprexa may be considered in cases where non-drug approaches have failed to address these symptoms. Since the FDA has not approved Zyprexa specifically for this usage, it is considered “off-label.”

Zyprexa is an antipsychotic, a drug that is used to manage psychiatric problems such as delusions and disordered thoughts. Zyprexa is believed to work by blocking dopamine in certain pathways of the brain.

How do I take it?
Zyprexa is taken once a day.

Zyprexa is available in tablet form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Zyprexa lists common side effects including drowsiness, headache, memory problems, stomach pain, constipation, difficulty sitting still, missed menstrual periods, increased appetite, weight gain, restlessness, loss of bladder control, pain in the arms, legs, or back, and sensations of tingling or numbness.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Zyprexa can include increased risk of death in older adults with dementia.