Posted by ed_uk2010 on December 11, 2011, at 8:46:06
In reply to Re: Lou's response-kmunteavdhth » Lou Pilder, posted by Phillipa on December 10, 2011, at 21:39:57
> Lou zyprexa is not a benzo it is an atypical antipsycotic. Phillipa
Olanzapine (Zyprexa) is indeed an atypical antipsychotic.
Confusion arises because of the chemical structure of the drug. Chemically, olanzapine is classed as a thieno-benzodiazepine. This is because the structure of the olanzapine molecule resembles the benzodiazepines such as diazepam.
Importantly, olanzapine is not clinically similar to the benzodiazepines, it's chemical structure is sufficiently different so that it does not bind to the same receptors in the brain. If you look at structure alone, you would be misled. For example, Narcan has a similar structure to the strong opiates but has exactly the opposite effect.
I therefore do not think it is relevant in this situation to note the structural similarity between olazapine and benzos. Clinically, they are very different drugs.
poster:ed_uk2010
thread:1004359
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20111208/msgs/1004650.html