What it means
An atypical antipsychotic that blocks dopamine and serotonin receptors. It treats schizophreniaskit-suh-FREE-nee-uhA long-term mental illness that changes a person's thinking, feelings and behavior, often with a loss of contact with reality.schizo- splitphren/o mind-ia conditionFull entry , mania in bipolar disorderby-POH-ler dis-OR-derA mental health condition with periods of very high mood and energy (mania) and, often, periods of depression.bi- twopol/o pole-ar having to do withFull entry and acute agitation. It comes as tablets, dissolving tablets and short- and long-acting injections. Common side effects are drowsiness, increased appetite and weight gain, and raised blood sugar and lipids.
For the nurse
Check weight, blood glucose and lipids. Watch for dizziness on standing and movement side effects. Its boxed warning notes higher death rates in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. After the long-acting Relprevv injection, the client is watched for at least 3 hours for heavy sedation or delirium.
At a glance
| Drug class | antipsychotic (second generation, atypical) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis, Zyprexa Relprevv |
| Spanish | olanzapina |
| Also written | Zyprexa |
Easy to confuse with
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quetiapine
A second-generation antipsychotic drug used for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and, with other drugs, depression.
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Related terms
bipolar disorder
A mental health condition with periods of very high mood and energy (mania) and, often, periods of depression.
schizophrenia
A long-term mental illness that changes a person's thinking, feelings and behavior, often with a loss of contact with reality.
psychosis
A mental state in which a person loses contact with reality.
quetiapine
A second-generation antipsychotic drug used for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and, with other drugs, depression.