What Is Zyprexa? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Zyprexa is a brand-name prescription medication that has been used to treat serious mental health conditions since 1996. Whether you've just been prescribed it or want to better understand what you're taking, this guide covers the essentials — what Zyprexa is, what it treats, how to take it, and what you should discuss with your prescriber.

What Is Zyprexa?

Zyprexa is the brand name for olanzapine, a medication in the class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics (also called second-generation antipsychotics). It was FDA-approved in 1996 and manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. Today, generic olanzapine is widely available from multiple manufacturers.

Olanzapine belongs to the thienobenzodiazepine chemical class and works primarily by affecting dopamine and serotonin activity in the brain — two neurotransmitters that play key roles in mood, behavior, and perception.

What Is Zyprexa Used For?

The FDA has approved olanzapine for the following conditions:

Schizophrenia — in adults and adolescents aged 13 and older

Bipolar I disorder — manic or mixed episodes, in adults and adolescents aged 13+

Bipolar I depressive episodes — when combined with fluoxetine (sold as Symbyax), for adults and ages 10+

Treatment-resistant depression — in combination with fluoxetine (Symbyax)

Acute agitation — associated with schizophrenia or bipolar I mania (IM injection formulation)

Off-label, olanzapine is sometimes used for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), and has been studied for anorexia nervosa and PTSD augmentation.

What Formulations Are Available?

Zyprexa comes in several formulations:

Oral tablets: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, and 20 mg strengths (taken by mouth once daily)

Orally disintegrating tablets (Zyprexa Zydis): 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg — dissolve on the tongue without water, useful for patients who have trouble swallowing pills

Intramuscular injection (Zyprexa IntraMuscular): 10 mg vial — used in hospital and emergency settings for acute agitation

Long-acting injection (Zyprexa Relprevv): 150–300 mg given every 2–4 weeks by deep gluteal injection at a REMS-certified facility

What Is the Typical Zyprexa Dosage?

Dosing varies depending on the condition being treated. Your prescriber will set your specific dose. Here are the general ranges approved by the FDA:

Schizophrenia (adults): Start 5–10 mg once daily; target 10 mg/day; range 10–20 mg/day

Schizophrenia (adolescents 13-17): Start 2.5–5 mg once daily; target 10 mg/day; max 20 mg/day

Bipolar mania (adults, monotherapy): Start 10–15 mg once daily; range 5–20 mg/day

Bipolar mania with lithium/valproate: Start 10 mg once daily; range 5–20 mg/day

Olanzapine is taken once daily with or without food. It is usually taken at bedtime to minimize daytime sedation.

Is Zyprexa a Controlled Substance?

No. Zyprexa (olanzapine) is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance. This means it can be prescribed by any licensed provider, including through telehealth, and 90-day supplies can be written on a single prescription.

Important Safety Information

Zyprexa carries a boxed warning (the FDA's most serious warning level): elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis who are treated with antipsychotics have an increased risk of death. Zyprexa is not approved for this population.

Key monitoring considerations include weight, blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure — all of which olanzapine can affect. Work closely with your prescriber to stay on top of these.

For a deeper dive into how olanzapine works in the brain, see our article on how Zyprexa works. If your pharmacy is out of stock, medfinder can help you locate a pharmacy with Zyprexa in stock near you.