How Effective Is Olanzapine for Schizophrenia?

Many mental health physicians prescribe olanzapine for schizophrenia. The drug is often used for mental disorders that include some degree of psychosis, including schizophrenia. Evidence suggests that the drug is more effective in treating certain schizophrenia symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations than in preventing the onset of schizophrenia. Although the drug has medical validation and scientifically tested success, it might prove harmful for certain individuals such as dementia patients.

Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental disorder that affects an individual's perceptions and modes of thinking. Symptoms vary depending on the specific type of schizophrenia in question. Some schizophrenic indicators include seeing things that are not present, hearing imaginary voices and talking in incoherent speech patterns. One main cause of the disease is brain and brain neurotransmitter abnormalities, so medication is a prominent treatment approach.

Olanzapine is one drug treatment that has received some backing from professional organizations. The United States Federal Drug Administration, for example, issued approval of olanzapine for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorder treatments in 1996. This drug also has been validated for the treatment of other psychological disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder.

The exact role of olanzapine in alleviating schizophrenia symptoms is somewhat of a mystery. One theory is that the substance hinders activity at receptors for the neurotransmitter serotonin. This brain messenger has influence over several important areas, especially in regard to human thought and emotions. If serotonin levels are too low or too high in individuals, these functions can be greatly affected. Both abnormalities in serotonin and another neurotransmitter called dopamine have long been believed to contribute to a wide range of mental disorders, including schizophrenia.

The uses of olanzapine for schizophrenia might depend on the specific schizophrenia manifestation. This drug has a better record of treating symptoms such as delusions and auditory hallucinations, which are primary symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia. Symptoms that are more prominent in disorganized schizophrenia — such as chaotic communication methods and unstable emotions — seem to have a lower rate of diminishment. The effectiveness of the drug in improving learning and memory is also debatable.

Although olanzapine has effectively curbed some schizophrenia symptoms, researchers have questioned the use of the drug for schizophrenia prevention. The theory that effective symptom treatments could include prevention of those symptoms altogether has not been validated. In fact, research has shown that individuals who took olanzapine do not demonstrate a lower rate of schizophrenia manifestation than groups that do not take the drug.

Weight gain, dehydration and overheating are some potentially negative side effects of olanzapine for schizophrenia, particularly for patients who have a history of heart or liver disease, diabetes or seizures. In the elderly, however, potential effects are even more harmful. Many organizations warn that olanzapine might worsen symptoms in patients who have dementia. In addition, warning labels routinely state that one of the greatest risks of olanzapine is the overall increased chance of death in elderly patients.