Worst Pills, Best Pills

An expert, independent second opinion on more than 1,800 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements

olanzapine (SYMBYAX, ZYPREXA, ZYPREXA RELPREVV, ZYPREXA ZYDIS)


DRUG AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PROFILES

A comprehensive review of the safety and effectiveness of this drug. If the drug is not a Do Not Use product, information on adverse effects, drug interactions and how to use the medication are included.
Search results below include Drug and Dietary Supplement Profiles where your selected drug is a secondary subject of discussion.

ziprasidone (GEODON, ZELDOX)
  • We list this drug as a Do Not Use drug because it is no more effective than older drugs for schizophrenia and causes irregular heartbeat.

WORST PILLS, BEST PILLS NEWSLETTER ARTICLES

Search results below include Worst Pills, Best Pills Newsletter Articles where your selected drug is a secondary subject of discussion.

Lithium Treatment for Bipolar Disorder May Protect Bones from Osteoporosis
March 2023
A recently published study provided evidence that lithium treatment in persons with bipolar disorder may decrease the risk of osteoporosis.
The Antidepressant Mirtazapine Ineffective for Agitation in Dementia Patients, Study Shows
April 2022
A new well-designed study conducted by U.K. researchers found that mirtazapine is not beneficial for treating agitated behaviors in dementia patients and is potentially linked to an increased risk of death.
Clozapine for Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: Use With Great Caution
February 2018
No other schizophrenia medicine is more dangerous than clozapine. Learn about the drug’s serious unique risks and why it should be used only by severely ill schizophrenia patients who have failed to respond adequately to other antipsychotic medications.
Inappropriate Prescribing of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs in the Elderly: Inexcusable Deaths and Medicare Dollars Wasted
August 2011
Most prescriptions for antipsychotic drugs to people in nursing homes are inappropriate and quite dangerous. Find out what you can do to protect your family or friends.
Drug Mix-Ups
June 2011
This article lists 355 drugs with names that are often confused with similar-sounding drug names. Find out what you can do to prevent getting the wrong drug.
Drug-Induced Cognitive Impairment: Part One
March 2009
The article lists 57 different drugs that can cause dementia if used. This can be even more problematic if more than one of these drugs is being taken. These drugs are only one class of drugs that can cause mental deterioration and next month's issue will discuss additional drugs that can also impair thinking.
SSRIs Can Have Dangerous Interactions With Other Drugs
January 2008
More than 70 million prescriptions a year are filled for these popular antidepressants, including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox, Celexa and Lexapro. This article gives details about more than 60 other widely prescribed prescription drugs that can have harmful interactions if used with these antidepressants. The two different kinds of interactions are also discussed.
The Serotonin Syndrome: A Potentially Life-Threatening Adverse Drug Reaction — Fluoxetine (PROZAC), Escitalopram (LEXAPRO), Sibutramine (MERIDIA) And Other Drugs
September 2003
Canadian drug regulatory authorities reviewed reported cases of serotonin syndrome in the July 2003 issue of the Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter. The serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening adverse drug reaction involving an excess of serotonin, a naturally occurring nerve transmitter.
Oxybutynin Patches (OXYTROL): A Grossly Overpriced Product For Overactive Bladder
July 2003
You should check the list of drugs that can cause loss of bladder control before starting drug treatment for this condition. You may be able to change from a drug that causes loss of bladder control to a drug that does not or alter the dose. This may be enough to solve the problem.
NEW WARNING! Risk Of Stroke When The Antipsychotic Risperidone (RISPERDAL) Is Prescribed For Dementia
June 2003
The manufacturer of the antipsychotic drug risperidone (RISPERDAL), announced on April 16, 2003, that an important new warning had been added to the professional product labeling, or package insert, for the drug concerning cerebrovascular adverse effects, including stroke and transient ischemic attack (temporary reduction of blood flow to the head), when the drug is used to treat elderly patients for dementia. In some of these cases the result was death.
Do Not Use Until December 2009 The New Antipsychotic Drug Aripiprazole (ABILIFY)
June 2003
You should follow the Health Research Group’s Seven Year Rule with aripiprazole. There is no evidence to suggest that aripiprazole is a “breakthrough” drug.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC CITIZEN

Search results below include Additional Information from Public Citizen where your selected drug is a secondary subject of discussion.

Letter to FDA Opposing Approval of Loxapine Inhalation Powder (Adasuve) (HRG Publication #1997)
Public Citizen’s Health Research Group strongly opposes FDA approval of loxapine (Adasuve) inhalation powder for treatment of schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder in adults due to no evidence from clinical trials that it offers any benefits over currently-available treatments and that it can cause life-threatening pulmonary toxicity.
FDA Should Give Oral Presentations at All Advisory Committee Meetings, Public Citizen Tells Agency
Agency experts should be required to give presentations at all future Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee meetings discussing specific products, Public Citizen said in a petition filed today.