Is Olanzapine the most expensive drug?

185329 · Dec 13, 2023 at 12:39 AM

I own a copy of the book, Surviving Schizophrenia 5th Edition by E. Fuller Torrey MD. In the book, it says that in 1998 olanzapine was the most expensive drug (as a 30-day supply). I wonder why.

I am on this drug; I have been for more than thirteen years. But it was only until about six years ago that I became fully compliant with treatment. Before then, I was compliant, but I was fixated on reducing my olanzapine or going off of it. In my own personal experience, I cannot say if olanzapine was the most effective drug for me, because I have not tried all of the antipsychotics. The only antipsychotics I have been on are: olanzapine (Zyprexa), paliperidone (Invega), Rexulti, Abilify, and Risperdal. And there were only three other non-antipsychotic medications that I have been on: Depakote, paroxetine (Paxil) and escitalopram (Lexapro).

HALLIEBETH87 · Dec 13, 2023 at 06:14 PM

I would argue lybalvi is very expensive

185329 · Dec 14, 2023 at 12:58 AM

Yeah, I haven't tried that drug. I think I am a pretty median weight person. If anything, the olanzapine helped me reach a more normal BMI; before the Zyprexa, I was borderline underweight. Now I'm about 185-190lbs at about 6'3", which puts my BMI right around 25.

Anyway, it would seem to me that Lybalvi would be rather expensive. I'm not too sure how much samidorphan would cost on its own, however. But $324.09 for a thirty-day supply (and this was back in the late nineties) seems to be very lucrative for Eli Lilly. I was surprised that it was more expensive than Clozaril.

I surmise the reason for this is that in retrospect, besides Seroquel, olanzapine was the newest antipsychotic.

Tart Cherry Jam · Dec 14, 2023 at 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

I would argue lybalvi is very expensive

Yes, about $1800 a month in the US per my pharmacist at Safeway.

Tart Cherry Jam · Dec 14, 2023 at 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 185329

Yeah, I haven't tried that drug. I think I am a pretty median weight person. If anything, the olanzapine helped me reach a more normal BMI; before the Zyprexa, I was borderline underweight. Now I'm about 185-190lbs at about 6'3", which puts my BMI right around 25.

Anyway, it would seem to me that Lybalvi would be rather expensive. I'm not too sure how much samidorphan would cost on its own, however. But $324.09 for a thirty-day supply (and this was back in the late nineties) seems to be very lucrative for Eli Lilly. I was surprised that it was more expensive than Clozaril.

I surmise the reason for this is that in retrospect, besides Seroquel, olanzapine was the newest antipsychotic.

You need to read up on patents, expiration of patents, and generics. Then you will understand why new drugs are expensive and why later they become cheap. Clozaril, the first atypical antipsychotic historicalaly, is much, much older than Zyprexa. Clozaril is older by decades. So of course when Zyprexa was the new kid on the block, Clozapine was probably alreaydy off patent and generics are cheap. Now you can buy generic olanzapine but there is no generic for Lybalvi which was approved, if my memory does not fail me, in 2021.

185329 · Dec 14, 2023 at 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tart Cherry Jam

You need to read up on patents, expiration of patents, and generics. Then you will understand why new drugs are expensive and why later they become cheap. Clozaril, the first atypical antipsychotic historicalaly, is much, much older than Zyprexa. Clozaril is older by decades. So of course when Zyprexa was the new kid on the block, Clozapine was probably alreaydy off patent and generics are cheap. Now you can buy generic olanzapine but there is no generic for Lybalvi which was approved, if my memory does not fail me, in 2021.

Thanks for the info.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Why is DBT so expensive?	angelicgoldfish05	Psychotherapy	5	Aug 30, 2015 05:56 PM
pdoc as drug supplier--the hidden stressors of drug dependency	roads	Bipolar	12	Jan 13, 2015 09:04 PM
It's So Expensive	skysblue	Psychotherapy	23	Jul 14, 2011 07:23 PM
Are they expensive?	reina29	Psychiatric Medications	3	Apr 29, 2009 12:25 PM

Menu

My Support Forums - Mental Health Support Groups

Get emotional support and friendship from others like you!

Our community offers: No spam. No trolls. No social media connections.

Is Olanzapine the most expensive drug?

My Support Forums

HALLIEBETH87 Legendary Member Since Oct 2004 Location: usa Posts: 11,583 20 2,808 hugs given	Dec 13, 2023 at 06:14 PM #2 I would argue lybalvi is very expensive __________________ schizoaffective bipolar type PTSD generalized anxiety d/o haldol, prazosin, risperdal and prn klonopin and helpful cogentin
	Reply With Quote