Introduction
Zyprexa® Velotab are fusion tablets containing the active ingredient olanzapine. The drug belongs to the group of neuroleptics, which are often also called antipsychotics. Olanzapine acts in the central nervous system on the messenger substances dopamine and serotonin. Zyprexa® Velotab is mainly used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Fields of application
Zyprexa® Velotab is used for the treatment of schizophrenia. In this process, the patients hear, see or feel things that are not really there. Also a distorted perception or conviction, as well as an increased distrust of the environment characterize the clinical picture of schizophrenia.
The tablets are also used in patients with manic episodes, e.g. in the context of a bipolar disorder. A mania is characterized by an absolute “mood high”. It is a persistent euphoric mood, accompanied by behaviours such as a lack of awareness of danger, increased consumer behaviour, megalomania, inventiveness and hallucinations, and thus has a high incidence of disease.
In the treatment of mania with Zyprexa® Velotab, it has been shown that when the symptoms are relieved in the acute state, there is also an improvement in the symptoms in the further course of the disease under therapy with Zyprexa® Velotab. Zyprexa® Velotab is usually taken in tablet form. The melting tablet is kept in the mouth until it has completely dissolved.
It can also be dissolved in water and then drunk as a solution. If oral intake of Zyprexa® Velotab should not be possible, it can also be injected intramuscularly (into the muscle). After the first intake of the medication it can take several days to weeks until an improvement of the symptoms occurs.
Mode of action
The active ingredient olanzapine blocks certain receptors in the brain and spinal cord. These are the receptors for the messenger substances dopamine and serotonin, which are referred to as neurotransmitters in medical terminology. It is assumed that both neurotransmitters play a central role in psychotic diseases.
An imbalance of the messenger substances is held responsible for the symptoms of psychoses. By blocking the receptors, the symptoms that characterize schizophrenia and mania are relieved. However, Zyprexa® Velotab also blocks other receptors in the brain, which is why taking it is often associated with side effects.
