The FDA approved Zyprexa (olanzapine) for the treatment of schizophrenia and manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adolescents aged 13 years to 17 years of age, Eli Lilly announced.

The drugmaker stated that the product's updated label will state that physicians should consider "the increased potential for weight gain and hyperlipidaemia in adolescents compared to adults and the potential for long-term risks, which in many cases, may lead them to consider prescribing other drugs first" in the younger age group.

An advisory panel voted in June that Zyprexa appeared "acceptably safe" in treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in adolescents who did not improve after taking other therapies. The drug had sales of $4.7 billion in 2008.

Reference Articles

Lilly’s Zyprexa cleared for US teens after 3 years - (Bloomberg)

Lilly: FDA OKs Zyprexa for schizophrenia in teens; new label - (CNN Money)

FDA approves Lilly's Zyprexa for two adolescent indications - (Eli Lilly)

FDA approves Lilly antipsychotic for teens - (Yahoo!Finance)