olanzapine Health Article

Generic name(s):

olanzapine

Brand name(s):

Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis

What is the most important information I should know about olanzapine?

Olanzapine is not for use in psychotic conditions that are related to dementia. Olanzapine has caused fatal heart attack and stroke in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

Olanzapine may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Symptoms include increased thirst, loss of appetite, increased urination, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dry skin, and dry mouth. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking olanzapine.

It may take up to 4 weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks of treatment. Olanzapine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of olanzapine. Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by olanzapine. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines. Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking olanzapine.

What is olanzapine?

Olanzapine is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

Olanzapine is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression).

Olanzapine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking olanzapine?

Olanzapine is not for use in psychotic conditions that are related to dementia. Olanzapine has caused fatal heart attack and stroke in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

Before taking olanzapine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• liver disease;

• kidney disease;

• heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems;

• high cholesterol or triglycerides;

• a history of heart attack or stroke;

• a history of breast cancer;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• a personal or family history of diabetes;

• an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating;

• glaucoma; or

• trouble swallowing.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use olanzapine, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Olanzapine may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Symptoms include increased thirst, loss of appetite, increased urination, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dry skin, and dry mouth. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking olanzapine.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Olanzapine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

The olanzapine orally disintegrating tablet (Zyprexa Zydis) may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of olanzapine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).