Generic Name: olanzapine
Brand Name: Zyprexa

Olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic, is commonly used in human medicine to treat psychiatric disorders. There is not an FDA approved use for atypical antipsychotics in veterinary medicine although they have been used to treat dogs with aggression.

It is important to note that other atypical antipsychotics (such as aripiprazole, paliperidone, quetiapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone) carry similar toxicity risks.

As with all medications, it is important to keep these prescriptions out of your pets’ reach.

Signs and symptoms of toxicity: involuntary muscle spasms, weakness, increased heart rate, agitation, decreased blood pressure, tremors, seizures, and sedation

Toxic consumption: There is no established toxic threshold for pet consumption. All incidents of accidental exposure should be reported immediately.

References:
– Ader M, Kim SP, Catalano KJ, et al. Metabolic dysregulation with atypical antipsychotics occurs in the absence of underlying disease: a placebo-controlled study of olanzapine and risperidone in dogs. Diabetes 2005; 54(3):862-871.
– Osweiler, G, et al. (2011). Blackwell’s five-minute veterinary consult clinical companion. Small Animal Toxicology. [Kindle version]. Retrieved from Amazon.com
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