Indications: LYBALVI® is indicated for the treatment of adults with schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder for acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes as monotherapy and as an adjunct to lithium or valproate, or as a maintenance monotherapy treatment.

Dosing

Dosing recommendations

Review recommended dosing by indication, including dosage adjustments where appropriate, and additional considerations.

Opioid use warning

Review opioid use warning

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Bipolar I disorder in adults (manic or mixed episodes)1

Monotherapy

Recommended starting dose

(olanzapine and samidorphan)

(olanzapine and samidorphan)

(olanzapine and samidorphan)

Monotherapy

10 mg/

10 mg

or

15 mg/

10 mg

Adjunct to lithium or valproate

10 mg/

10 mg

(olanzapine and samidorphan)

5 mg/

10 mg*

*Only for bipolar I disorder
maintenance monotherapy.

or

10 mg/

10 mg

or

15 mg/

10 mg

or

20 mg/

10 mg

*Only for bipolar I disorder maintenance monotherapy.

Bipolar I disorder in adults (manic or mixed episodes)1

Adjunct to lithium or valproate

(olanzapine and samidorphan)

10 mg/

10 mg

(olanzapine and samidorphan)

10 mg/

10 mg

or

15 mg/

10 mg

or

20 mg/

10 mg

Tablets not shown at actual size.

  • The dosage of samidorphan is fixed at 10 mg across all dosage forms1
  • The maximum recommended dosage is 20 mg/10 mg once daily1
  • Do not divide tablets or combine strengths1

Additional dosage considerations

Adjusting dosage1

  • Dosage may be adjusted at weekly intervals of 5 mg (olanzapine component) depending upon clinical response and tolerability
    • For bipolar I disorder monotherapy, dosage adjustments should occur at intervals of not less than 24 hours
  • No dosage adjustment is needed for hepatic impairment or patients with mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment1
    • Not recommended for end-stage renal disease

Dosage recommendations in specific populations1

The recommended starting dosage is 5 mg/10 mg once daily in patients who have a higher risk of hypotensive reactions, are at risk of slower olanzapine metabolism, or may be more pharmacodynamically sensitive to olanzapine; if dose escalation is necessary, increase the dosage slowly in these patients.

Please see LYBALVI Prescribing Information for additional dosing details.

Download Dosing Guide
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Opioid use warning

LYBALVI is contraindicated in patients using opioids or those undergoing acute opioid withdrawal1

Precipitation of severe opioid withdrawal in patients who are physiologically dependent on opioids1

  • Prior to initiating LYBALVI, there should be at least a 7-day opioid-free interval from last use of short‑acting opioids, and at least a 14-day opioid-free interval from the last use of long-acting opioids
    • Explain the risks associated with precipitated withdrawal and the importance of giving an accurate account of last opioid use to patients and caregivers

Samidorphan, a component of LYBALVI, can precipitate severe opioid withdrawal in patients who are physiologically dependent on opioids1

  • Administration may result in withdrawal syndrome severe enough to require hospitalization

Vulnerability to life-threatening opioid overdose1

  • Patients attempting to overcome LYBALVI’s opioid blockade with high or repeated doses of exogenous opioids could lead to life-threatening or fatal opioid intoxication (eg, respiratory arrest, circulatory collapse)
    • Inform patients of the potential consequences of trying to overcome the opioid blockade and the serious risks of taking opioids concurrently with LYBALVI or while transitioning off LYBALVI
  • Patients with a history of chronic opioid use prior to treatment with LYBALVI may have decreased tolerance to opioids if LYBALVI therapy is interrupted or discontinued
    • Advise patients that this decreased tolerance may increase the risk of opioid overdose if opioids are resumed at previously tolerated dosages

In emergency situations, if a LYBALVI-treated patient requires opioid treatment as part of anesthesia or analgesia1:

  • Discontinue LYBALVI,
  • Opioids should be administered by individual(s) trained in the use of anesthetic drugs and the management of the respiratory effects of opioids, specifically the establishment and maintenance of a patent airway and assisted ventilation, and
  • Appropriately trained personnel should continuously monitor the patient in a setting equipped and staffed for cardiopulmonary resuscitation

In non-emergency situations, if a LYBALVI-treated patient is expected to require opioid treatment (eg, for analgesia during or after an elective surgical procedure)1:

  • Discontinue LYBALVI at least 5 days before opioid treatment and
  • Start olanzapine or another antipsychotic, if needed

Please see LYBALVI Prescribing Information for additional details on LYBALVI use and opioids.

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LYBALVI® Patient Counseling Tool

This resource is intended for use by healthcare providers to support counseling patients about opioid-related safety information for LYBALVI.

LYBALVI Patient Counseling Tool

Please review the Medication Guide with your patients.

Reference: 1. LYBALVI [prescribing information]. Alkermes, Inc.; 2021.