The FDA has approved ZYPREXA RELPREVV (olanzapine) For ExtendedRelease Injectable Suspension for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults,Eli Lilly and Company announced today. ZYPREXA RELPREVV, along-acting intramuscular injection, sustains the delivery of olanzapine forup to four weeks.
Different from both oral and injected short-acting formulations,long-acting formulations of antipsychotics allow for stable concentrations ofthe active drug to remain at a therapeutic range for an extended period oftime.
"Patients, families and communities often needlessly suffer theconsequences of relapse when daily schizophrenia medications are not taken asprescribed," said John Kane, M.D., chairman, Department of Psychiatry, TheZucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, N.Y. "ZYPREXA RELPREVV gives patients anadditional treatment option that can help them maintain therapeutic druglevels for up to four weeks at a time."