Olanzapine


DNX0769.HTM

Olanzapine (By mouth)
Olanzapine (oh-LAN-za-peen)

Treats psychotic mental disorders, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness).

Brand Name(s):Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to olanzapine.

How to Use This Medicine:
Tablet, Dissolving Tablet

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • You may take this medicine with or without food.
  • If you are using the disintegrating tablet, make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet. Do not open the blister pack that contains the tablet until you are ready to take it. Remove the tablet from the blister pack by peeling back the foil, then taking the tablet out. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet in your mouth. It should melt quickly. After the tablet has melted, swallow or take a drink of water.

If a dose is missed:

  • If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep the disintegrating tablet in the original package until you are ready to take it.
  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
  • Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • You must be careful if you are also using other medicine that might cause similar side effects as olanzapine. This includes medicine that might cause low blood pressure, overheating, or liver problems. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using.
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using carbamazepine (Tegretol®), fluoxetine (Prozac®), fluvoxamine (Luvox®), levodopa (Sinemet®, Stalevo®), omeprazole (Prilosec®), or rifampin (Rifadin®).
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicine to treat high blood pressure (such as atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ], lisinopril, metoprolol, quinapril, Accupril®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Lotrel®, Norvasc®, Toprol®, Zestril®).
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are using medicine to treat anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, Valium®, Xanax®). Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
  • Tell your doctor if you smoke. You might need a different amount of this medicine if you smoke.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes, liver disease, prostate problems, or glaucoma. Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures, breast cancer, or severe constipation.
  • Make sure your doctor knows about any heart or blood problems you have now or have had in the past. This includes heart rhythm problems or a stroke.
  • Tell your doctor if you have ever had neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) caused by any medicine for psychiatric disorders.
  • This medicine may increase your cholesterol and fats in the blood. If this condition occurs, your doctor may give you some medicines that can lower the amount of cholesterol and fats in the blood.
  • This medicine may increase your weight. Your doctor may need to check your weight regularly during treatment with this medicine.
  • This medicine may raise or lower your blood sugar, or it may cover up symptoms of very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
  • Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. Sit or lie down until you no longer feel dizzy. Get up slowly.
  • This medicine might reduce how much you sweat. Your body could get too hot if you do not sweat enough. If your body gets too hot, you might feel dizzy, weak, tired, or confused. You might vomit or have an upset stomach. Do not get too hot while you are exercising. Avoid places that are very hot. Call your doctor if you are too hot and cannot cool down.
  • Some side effects are more likely to happen in elderly people who have memory problems or other reduced mental skills. Make sure the doctor knows if the person who will be using this medicine has Alzheimer's disease or similar problems (often called "dementia").
  • Zyprexa® Zydis® contains phenylalanine (aspartame). This is only a concern if you have a disorder called phenylketonuria (a problem with amino acids). If you have this condition, talk to your doctor before using this medicine.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Blurred or other changes in vision.
  • Change in how much or how often you urinate.
  • Fast or uneven heartbeat.
  • Fever, sweating, confusion, muscle stiffness.
  • Increased restlessness or excessive movements.
  • Jerky muscle movement you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw).
  • Lightheadedness or fainting.
  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
  • Severe sleepiness, slurred speech, trouble breathing.
  • Shakiness, problems with balance or walking.
  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
  • Swollen breasts, or liquid discharge from your nipples (men or women).
  • Trouble swallowing.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Back pain.
  • Constipation, upset stomach.
  • Dry mouth, increased thirst, watering of mouth.
  • Increased appetite.
  • Missed menstrual period.
  • Redness or swelling in your eye.
  • Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness.
  • Stuffy or runny nose.
  • Trouble sleeping.
  • Weakness.
  • Weight gain.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.