Symbyax Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide
Key takeaways:
Symbyax is a combination medication that contains two active ingredients: olanzapine and fluoxetine. It’s approved for depression associated with bipolar 1 disorder in adults and children ages 10 and older. It’s also approved for treatment-resistant depression in adults.
The adult Symbyax dosage typically starts at 6 mg olanzapine / 25 mg fluoxetine once daily in the evening. You may start with a lower dose due to your age or other medical conditions. Your provider will adjust your dose from there based on your response.
Symbyax is available as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you save over 70% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
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Table of contents
When two medications work together to treat a condition, they’re often combined into a single pill to make it easier to take. Symbyax, a capsule that contains olanzapine and fluoxetine, is one example. It combines the active ingredients of Zyprexa (an antipsychotic) and Prozac (an antidepressant) into one pill.
Symbyax is prescribed for depression associated with bipolar 1 disorder as well as depression that hasn’t responded to other treatments. Let’s review the recommended Symbyax dosages for adults and children.
Keep in mind that your healthcare provider may have you take Symbyax differently than described below. It’s best to follow their instructions and ask them to explain anything that’s unclear.
What’s the typical Symbyax dosage for adults?
The Symbyax dosage for adults depends on the condition you’re treating. It’s best to take Symbyax once daily in the evening. You can take it with or without food.
Depression associated with bipolar 1 disorder
The recommended Symbyax dosage for depression associated with bipolar 1 is as follows:
Starting dose: 6 mg olanzapine / 25 mg fluoxetine
Average dose: 6 mg to 12 mg of olanzapine and 25 mg to 50 mg of fluoxetine
Maximum dose: 18 mg of olanzapine and 75 mg of fluoxetine
After you start taking Symbyax, your healthcare provider may make changes to your dose based on how you respond to the medication.
Treatment-resistant depression
If you’re living with depression and it hasn’t improved after you’ve tried at least two different medications, it’s considered treatment-resistant.
The typical Symbyax dosage for treatment-resistant depression is:
Starting dose: 6 mg olanzapine / 25 mg fluoxetine
Average dose: 6 mg to 18 mg of olanzapine and 25 mg to 50 mg of fluoxetine
Maximum dose: 18 mg of olanzapine and 75 mg of fluoxetine
Your provider will make adjustments to your Symbyax dosage based on how you respond to the medication.
What’s the typical Symbyax dosage for children?
Symbyax is also approved for depression associated with bipolar 1 in children ages 10 to 17 years old. The recommended Symbyax dosage for children is:
Starting dose: 3 mg olanzapine / 25 mg fluoxetine
Average dose: 6 mg to 12 mg of olanzapine and 25 mg to 50 mg of fluoxetine
Maximum dose: 12 mg olanzapine / 50 mg fluoxetine
It’s best to take Symbyax once daily in the evening, with or without food. Your child’s provider will adjust their dose from the initial starting dose if needed.
Are there any dosage adjustments for health conditions?
A lower starting Symbyax dosage of 3 mg olanzapine / 25 mg fluoxetine is recommended if you:
Have a history of low blood pressure
Have liver problems
Are age 65 years or older
Are female, a non-smoker, or sensitive to olanzapine (or a combination of these)
If any of these situations apply to you, talk to your healthcare provider. They’ll be able to determine if you should start with a lower Symbyax dosage based on your medical history.
What happens if you miss a dose of Symbyax?
If you miss a dose of Symbyax, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Don’t take two doses at once to make up for one you missed.
If you’re having trouble remembering to take Symbyax, try a medication reminder app or phone alarm to help you. You can also place your medication somewhere you’ll see it as part of your evening routine, such as on a bedside table. Just make sure it’s out of reach of children for safety.
What should you do if you take too much Symbyax?
If you take an extra dose of Symbyax by mistake, you may experience more side effects, such as drowsiness or dry mouth. It’s not likely to cause a serious issue if you’re taking a low dose of Symbyax.
But large amounts of Symbyax (over 20 mg olanzapine / 80 mg fluoxetine) could be harmful to your health. Confusion, tremors, or an irregular heartbeat are all possible with an overdose of Symbyax. Coma and psychosis can also happen.
If you or a loved one takes more Symbyax than prescribed, it’s best to contact your healthcare provider or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. They’ll help you decide what your next steps should be. If any symptoms appear that seem serious or life-threatening, seek emergency care right away.
How to save on Symbyax
There are ways to save on Symbyax, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. GoodRx can help you save over 70% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic Symbyax’s price at certain pharmacies is less than $92.30 with a free GoodRx discount.
The bottom line
Symbyax is a combination medication that contains olanzapine and fluoxetine. It’s approved for depression associated with bipolar 1 disorder in adults and children ages 10 and older. And it’s also approved for treatment-resistant depression in adults.
You’ll take Symbyax once daily in the evening, with or without food. The starting Symbyax dosage for adults is 6 mg olanzapine / 25 mg fluoxetine. And the starting Symbyax dose for kids is 3 mg olanzapine / 25 mg fluoxetine. Your healthcare provider will adjust your dosage if needed based on your health condition and how you respond to the medication.
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References
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Depression.
Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. (2022). Olanzapine and fluoxetine - olanzapine and fluoxetine capsule [package insert].
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