Olanzapine – abuse and misuse

Over the past few decades, drug abuse has become a significant health problem. The reason for this situation is multifaceted; one should take into account both the greater health awareness in the society and faster pace of life associated with increased stress, but also the increasingly common tendency to medicalise everyday problems. This phenomenon, so far associated mainly with analgesics, sedatives and hypnotics, has begun to affect also other groups of drugs in recent years. The article addresses the phenomenon of abuse and misuse of olanzapine – an increasingly popular drug with a well-established clinical status, used primarily in the treatment of psychotic, affective and behavioural disorders. The epidemiology, pathophysiological background and clinical picture of the abuse and misuse of this drug are described. Moreover, the issues of insufficient social awareness of this problem and the lack of guidelines both for the diagnosis and treatment are highlighted. Undoubtedly, the phenomenon requires further study, with a particular focus on its specific clinical presentations characteristic for the populations of different countries and groups of patients with specific medical diagnoses.