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Zyprexa vs. Clozaril

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

Key takeaways

Olanzapine (Zyprexa) and Clozapine (Clozaril) are both atypical antipsychotics, but they have some key differences. Olanzapine is used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and certain types of depression when combined with fluoxetine (Prozac). It can be taken by mouth or as an injection, and it is available as a generic. Common side effects include sleepiness, dizziness, and weight gain. Clozapine, on the other hand, is mainly used for schizophrenia that hasn't responded to other treatments and for reducing suicidal behavior in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. It is only available in oral form and also has a generic version. Clozapine requires regular blood tests due to the risk of dangerously low white blood cell counts, which can lead to serious infections. Both medications can cause weight gain and drowsiness, but clozapine has a higher risk of severe side effects like seizures and heart problems. Additionally, clozapine is prescribed under a special program called REMS due to its risks.

Olanzapine

(Zyprexa)

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Clozapine

(Clozaril)

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Summary for Zyprexa

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 for Zyprexa

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 for Zyprexa

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 for Zyprexa

  • Sleepiness (29%)
  • Trouble sleeping (12%)
  • Accidental injury (12%)
  • Dizziness (11%)
  • Weakness (10%)
  • Dry mouth (9%)
  • Constipation (9%)
  • Upset stomach (7%)
  • Runny nose (7%)

Warnings for Zyprexa

  • 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

Summary for Clozaril

Prescription only

Clozapine (Clozaril) is used to treat schizophrenia. It's an atypical antipsychotic, but it's not a first-choice medication for schizophrenia because it can cause many bothersome side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness. It can also cause your white blood cell (WBC) count to drop dangerously low and raise your risk for serious infections. As a result, clozapine (Clozaril) is prescribed under a special program called Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS). In order to pick up your medication at the pharmacy, your provider will ask you to get blood work regularly (weekly to monthly) to make sure your WBC count is at a healthy level.

Indications for Clozaril

  • Schizophrenia that hasn't responded to other treatments
  • Suicidal behavior in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

Pros and Cons for Clozaril

Pros

  • Works well to treat schizophrenia when other medications haven't worked well
  • Taken by mouth
  • Comes as both a regular tablet (that you swallow by mouth) and as a dissolvable tablet that you place on the tongue
  • Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

  • Need to get blood work done every time you get a prescription filled (weekly to monthly)
  • Can cause dizziness and drowsiness
  • Can cause high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and weight gain
  • Not a good option for people with a history of seizures

Common Side Effects for Clozaril

  • Increased salivation (Up to 48%)
  • Drowsiness (up to 46%)
  • Dizziness (up to 27%)
  • Fast heart rate (up to 25%)
  • Constipation (up to 25%)
  • Trouble sleeping (up to 20%)
  • Nausea/vomiting (17%)
  • High or low blood pressure (up to 13%)
  • Fever (up to 13%)
  • Headache (10%)
  • Heartburn (up to 14%)

Warnings for Clozaril

  • Risk of serious infection (from low white blood cells)
  • Low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, and fainting
  • Seizures
  • Heart problems
  • Higher risk of death in older people with dementia-related psychosis
  • High blood sugar, high cholesterol, and weight gain
  • Severe constipation
  • Serious allergic reactions or inflammation problems
  • Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
  • Driving impairment
  • Liver problems
  • Difficulty controlling body movements
  • Not for people with phenylketonuria (dissolvable tablets only)

Prices with our coupons for Zyprexa vs. Clozaril

Price Card Drug Icon
Olanzapine30 tablets / 5mg
$12.26$81.17
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Clozapine90 tablets / 100mg
$64.59$177.40
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