Schizophrenia

The usual starting dose for adults is 5 to 10 milligrams once a day. If you start at the lower dose, after a few days the doctor will increase it to 10. After that, the dosage will be increased no more than once a week, 5 milligrams at a time, up to a maximum of 20 milligrams a day.

Those most likely to start at 5 milligrams are people who are weak, people prone to low blood pressure, and nonsmoking women over 65 (because they tend to have a slow metabolism).

Manic Episodes in Bipolar Disorder

The usual starting dose for adults is 10 to 15 milligrams once a day. If needed, the dose can be increased every 24 hours by 5 milligrams a day, up to a maximum daily dose of 20 milligrams. After the person is stabilized, the doctor may continue maintenance therapy at a dosage range of 5 to 20 milligrams a day. If Zyprexa is being combined with lithium or valproate, the usual starting dose is 10 milligrams once a day.

Overdosage

An overdose of Zyprexa is usually not life-threatening, but fatalities have been reported. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

Symptoms of Zyprexa overdose may include: Agitation, drowsiness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, slurred or disrupted speech, stupor. Overdoses of Zyprexa have also led to breathing difficulties, changes in blood pressure, excessive perspiration, fever, muscle rigidity, cardiac arrest, coma, and convulsions.