What Is Olanzapine Used For? (Cont.)

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a serious brain disease that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, and functioning. Currently, it is thought that bipolar disorder may be at least partially genetic (see Bipolar Causes). Bipolar disorder is different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through -- the symptoms of bipolar disorder are more severe. Episodes of mania and depression typically recur throughout the affected person's lifespan. Between episodes, most people with bipolar disorder are free of symptoms (see Bipolar Disorder Symptoms). Effective bipolar disorder treatment usually involves a combination of psychotherapy (see Bipolar Psychosocial Treatments) and bipolar medications.
 
Olanzapine is approved to treat acute episodes of mania or mixed episodes (which involve symptoms of both mania and depression). Olanzapine is also approved for continued use once the acute episode has improved. It can be used by itself or with other bipolar disorder medications, such as lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®) or valproate products (Depakene®, Depakote®, Depakote ER®).
 

Olanzapine Use in Children

Olanzapine has not been approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder in children or for the treatment of childhood schizophrenia. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of using olanzapine for children.
 

Off-Label Olanzapine Uses

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend olanzapine for something other than the conditions discussed above. This is called an "off-label" use. Some examples of off-label olanzapine uses include:
 
  • Treatment of behavior problems in elderly people with dementia
  • Treatment of other behavior problems
  • Treating cluster headaches.

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;