title: A case of teeth discoloration upon transition from zyprexa to generic olanzapine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although crucial to the success of the US healthcare system, generic medication is not without some risks, especially when a transition is made midtreatment from a brand-name formulation to its generic counterpart. Thankfully, such a transition is usually orderly and unnoticed, without disruption to the treatment; however, this is not always the case.
  
  
  METHODS
  This case study details an example of 1 such unfortunate disruption to treatment. A stable patient with schizophrenia was switched from brand-name Zyprexa to generic olanzapine. Within several months of the switch, the patient suffered a marked grayish discoloration of his teeth. His medication regimen was then transitioned from generic olanzapine to a new but different brand-name medication (Abilify). The transition was a success, with resolution of the adverse effect and continued stability of his mental state.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Generic olanzapine was introduced to the market in fall 2011. It remains to be seen whether this adverse effect was simply an anomaly or the beginning of a more ominous trend.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, and The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Ochsner Clinical School, New Orleans, LA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Galarneau
keywords: Drug toxicity; drugs—generic; psychotropic drugs