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Compare Lamictal vs. Zyprexa

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Lamotrigine (Lamictal) and Olanzapine (Zyprexa) are both prescription medications, but they are used for different conditions and belong to different drug classes. Lamotrigine is an antiepileptic used to treat seizures and bipolar disorder, while Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and certain types of depression when combined with fluoxetine (Prozac). Lamotrigine is available in various forms, including chewable tablets and extended-release tablets, and it requires a gradual dose increase to avoid serious skin reactions. On the other hand, Olanzapine is typically taken once daily and can cause dose -ependent weight gain and sleepiness. Both medications can cause serious side effects, but they differ in their specific risks and the conditions they treat. Both medications are available as generics.

Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Summary of Lamictal vs. Zyprexa
Summary for Antiepileptic
Prescription only
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) can be used alone or together with other medications to treat seizures. It's available in immediate-release and extended-release formulations. The immediate-release formulation can also be used for bipolar disorder. Lamotrigine (Lamictal) can cause serious skin reactions like rash.
Summary for Atypical antipsychotic
Prescription only
Olanzapine (Zyprexa) is an atypical antipsychotic used treat schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. It can also treat depression, in combination with fluoxetine (Prozac), when other treatments haven't worked well. This medication is thought to work by balancing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) is taken by mouth, typically once daily, by adults and children. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) is also available as an injection that's usually given in a hospital or clinic setting. Some of the more common side effects of olanzapine (Zyprexa) include sleep problems, dizziness, and weight gain.
Indications of Lamictal vs. Zyprexa
Indications for

•Seizures (partial seizures, tonic-clonic seizures)

•Seizures of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome - immediate-release only

•Bipolar disorder - immediate-release only

Indications for

•Schizophrenia in adults and children age 13 years and older

•Bipolar I disorder in adults and children age 13 years and older

When taken with fluoxetine (Prozac):

•Bipolar depression in adults and children age 10 years and older

•Depression that hasn't responded well to other treatments
Pros and Cons of Lamictal vs. Zyprexa
Pros and Const for Antiepileptic
Pros

•Starter kits are available to help with dosing when you first start the medication.

•Dose can be adjusted based on your response

•Available in various forms: chewable tablets, quick-dissolving tablets, and extended-release tablets

•Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

•Can cause dizziness

•Dose has to be slowly raised due to risk of serious rash

•Interacts with many medications such as birth control pills, divalproex (Depakote), and dofetilide (Tikosyn)

•Unknown if safe or works well in children under 2 years old (immediate release) or children under 13 years old (extended release)

Pros and Const for Atypical antipsychotic
Pros

•Taken by mouth

•Taken once daily

•Might notice an improvement in your symptoms in as early as a week of starting olanzapine (Zyprexa)

•Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

•Can cause anticholinergic side effects, such as constipation and dry mouth

•Can affect your sleep

•More likely to cause weight gain, high blood cholesterol, and high blood sugar levels compared to some other atypical antipsychotics
Common Side Effects of Lamictal vs. Zyprexa
Common Side Effects for
Below are common side effects reported by adults who took this medication along with other treatments. Percentages can differ depending on your condition (e.g., bipolar) and your age.

Immediate release

•Dizziness (38%)

•Headache (29%)

•Double vision (28%)

•Loss of coordination (22%)

•Nausea (19%)

•Blurry vision (16%)

•Sleepiness (14%)

•Stuffy nose (14%)

•Sore throat (10%)

•Rash (10%)

Extended release

•Dizziness (14%)

•Nausea (7%)

•Vomiting (6%)

•Tremor (6%)

•Feeling tired (6%)

•Double vision (5%)

•Diarrhea (5%)

Common Side Effects for

•Sleepiness (29%)

•Trouble sleeping (12%)

•Accidental injury (12%)

•Dizziness (11%)

•Weakness (10%)

•Dry mouth (9%)

•Constipation (9%)

•Upset stomach (7%)

•Runny nose (7%)
Warnings of Lamictal vs. Zyprexa
Common Side Effects for

•Severe skin reactions and allergic reactions

•Overactive immune system

•Irregular heartbeat

•Suicidal behavior and thoughts

•Meningitis (brain inflammation)

•Withdrawal seizures

•Possible eye problems

•Interaction with other medications

Common Side Effects for

•Higher risk of death in older people with dementia-related psychosis

•Worsening depression, suicidal thoughts and behavior

•Severe allergic skin reactions

•Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

•Weight gain, higher blood sugar, and higher cholesterol levels

•Difficulty controlling body movements

•Changes in blood pressure and higher risk of falls

•Risk of infection (from low white blood cell count)

•Seizures

•High prolactin levels

•Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness

•Anticholinergic side effects
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Compare Lamictal vs. Zyprexa

Key takeaways

Summary of Lamictal vs. Zyprexa

Indications of Lamictal vs. Zyprexa

Pros and Cons of Lamictal vs. Zyprexa

Common Side Effects of Lamictal vs. Zyprexa

Warnings of Lamictal vs. Zyprexa

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