Two medicines, side by side
Fluoxetine vs olanzapine
Fluoxetine and olanzapine are both labeled for depression and bipolar disorder. Drugs@FDA records approvals of fluoxetine since 1987 and of olanzapine since 1996. Pharmacies paid $0.0519 per fluoxetine HCl 40 mg capsule and $0.147 per olanzapine 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, fluoxetine is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and olanzapine an atypical antipsychotic.
Check it at the source: the fluoxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 8, 2026); the olanzapine FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 5, 2026).
Highlights of the fluoxetine record
Fluoxetine (Prozac) · label of January 8, 2026
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies. These studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in patients over age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressant use in patients aged 65 and older [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].
Used for
From the label: indicationsPROZAC ® is indicated for the treatment of: Acute and maintenance treatment of Major Depressive Disorder [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. Acute and maintenance treatment of obsessions and compulsions in patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) [see Clinical Studies ( 14.2 )]. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 29, 1987
- Generic labelers
- 58 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0519 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Highlights of the olanzapine record
Olanzapine (Zyprexa) · label of March 5, 2026
INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients.
Used for
From the label: indicationsOlanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic indicated: As oral formulation for the: · Treatment of schizophrenia. ( 1.1 ) · Adults: Efficacy was established in three clinical trials in patients with schizophrenia: two 6-week trials and one maintenance trial. ( 14.1 ) · Adolescents (ages 13-17): Efficacy was established in one 6-week trial in patients with schizophrenia ( 14.1 ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 30, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.147 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 14
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Fluoxetine label of January 8, 2026, Olanzapine label of March 5, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do fluoxetine and olanzapine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, fluoxetine is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and olanzapine an atypical antipsychotic.
How each works, in its label's words: Fluoxetine, “Although the exact mechanism of PROZAC is unknown, it is presumed to be linked to its inhibition of CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin.”; Olanzapine, “The mechanism of action of olanzapine, in the listed indications is unclear.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Fluoxetine, “Its mean terminal half-life after a single dose was 8.6 days and after multiple dosing was 9.3 days.”; Olanzapine, “Its half-life ranges from 21 to 54 hours (5th to 95th percentile; mean of 30 hr), and apparent plasma clearance ranges …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: fluoxetine since 2001; olanzapine since 2011 (Drugs@FDA).
| Fluoxetine | Olanzapine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder | Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Depression |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor | Atypical Antipsychotic |
| How it works (label) | Although the exact mechanism of PROZAC is unknown, it is presumed to be linked to its inhibition of CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin. | The mechanism of action of olanzapine, in the listed indications is unclear. However, the efficacy of olanzapine in schizophrenia could be mediated through a combination of dopamine and serotonin type 2 (5HT 2 ) antagonism. |
| Half-life (label) | Its mean terminal half-life after a single dose was 8.6 days and after multiple dosing was 9.3 days. | Its half-life ranges from 21 to 54 hours (5th to 95th percentile; mean of 30 hr), and apparent plasma clearance ranges from 12 to 47 L/hr (5th to 95th percentile; mean of 25 L/hr). |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 29, 1987 | September 30, 1996 |
| First generic approved | August 2, 2001 | October 24, 2011 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 58 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0519 per capsule (Fluoxetine HCl 40 mg capsule) | $0.147 per tablet (Olanzapine 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -20% | -5% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 9 | 14 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 131,827 | 107,881 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Fluoxetine label, boxed warningWhen using PROZAC and olanzapine in combination, also refer to Boxed Warning section of the package insert for Symbyax.
Fluoxetine label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS When using PROZAC and olanzapine in combination, also refer to the Contraindications section of the package insert for Symbyax.
Olanzapine label, boxed warningOlanzapine is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.5 ), and Patient Counseling Information ( 17 )] When using olanzapine and fluoxetine in combination, also refer to the Boxed Warning section of the package insert for Symbyax.
Olanzapine label, contraindicationsWhen using olanzapine and fluoxetine in combination, also refer to the Contraindications section of the package insert for Symbyax.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Fluoxetine label, warnings and precautionsSerotonin syndrome has been reported with SSRIs and SNRIs, including PROZAC, both when taken alone, but especially when co-administered with other serotonergic agents.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to fluoxetine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions