Zyprexa is an atypical antipsychotic medicine whose active agent is called olanzapine. Its working mechanisms are not precisely known to the modern science, although the most common opinion is that it changes the actions of certain chemicals within the human brain. This medication is usually used for symptomatic schizophrenia and bipolar disorder treatment in adults and children starting from the age of ten. Sometimes Zyprexa is prescribed together with Prozac, Sarafem or other fluoxetine drugs. Especially often this combination is used in cases of depression if at least two other drugs have been tried and discarded without success.
It is common for the patient's blood sugar levels to increase dramatically during a Zyprexa treatment regimen, which is why it is prescribed with causion to diabetics. Watch out for symptoms such as increased thirst and urination, loss of appetite, nausea and/or vomiting, dry skin and unsual drowsiness. Those may be the signs of developing hyperglycemia. Please avoid drinking alcohol, staying in the heat too much and becoming dehydrated when taking Zyprexa. If you are forced to live in hot climate or are committed to any exercise routine, drink plenty of fluids.
The usual time of the patient's condition beginning to improve will be about four weeks after the beginning of Zyprexa treatment. If this term has passed and you still do not see any significant effect, talk to your healthcare provider about this situation.
