Adults with schizophrenia who take olanzapine, one of the most widely prescribed antipsychotics, now have a once-a-month injection option that does not require hours of observation after each shot. The FDA approved Weltruza, an extended-release olanzapine given under the skin, Teva Pharmaceuticals announced on Oct. 9.
Teva says the drug requires no loading doses, no oral pills alongside the injection and no post-injection monitoring. The company expects it to reach the U.S. market in the coming weeks in three strengths, 318, 425 and 531 milligrams, which correspond to daily oral doses of 10, 15 and 20 milligrams.
