Wednesday January 7, 2009


Scenario: 67 year old s/p colectomy patient in ICU, went into acute agitation and psychosis. He pulled all his IVs and not allowing nurses to insert any IV. What could be your option to 'cool him down' before further evaluation, but without any IV access and inability to use enteral route?

Answer: Orally disintegrating olanzapine (Zedis)

Zydis® (olanzapine) is an orally disintegrating tablets of formulation of ZYPREXA - that dissolves in the mouth on contact with saliva. It is available in 5-mg, 10-mg, 15-mg, and 20-mg tablets. Tablets can be taken without water. The mode of action of olanzapine's antipsychotic activity is unknown.