Olanzapine is dosed at which range?

• A. 5-10 mg daily
• B. 10-15 mg daily
• C. 20-30 mg daily
• D. 15-20 mg daily

Answer: (B)

Olanzapine dosing is chosen to hit symptom control without excessive sedation or metabolic side effects. For most patients, the usual maintenance dose sits in the 10-15 mg daily range, which provides effective control with a tolerable side-effect profile. In practice, you often start at a lower dose, such as 5-10 mg daily, and gradually increase to reach an effective level while monitoring for weight gain, glucose, lipids, and sedation. Some individuals may be adequately managed on 5-10 mg, and others may require up to about 20 mg daily if symptoms persist, but higher doses carry greater risk of adverse effects, so 10-15 mg daily remains the commonly targeted range. In HIV care, be mindful that drug interactions and patient factors like smoking can influence olanzapine levels, sometimes necessitating dose adjustments.