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) in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.
Olanzapine is sometimes used together with another medication called fluoxetine (Prozac,
Sarafem). This combination is also used to treat depression after at least 2 other medications have
been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
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 related to dementia. Olanzapine may
cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely use this medication:
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liver disease;
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kidney disease;
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heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems;
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high cholesterol or triglycerides;
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a history of heart attack or stroke;
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a history of breast cancer;
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seizures or epilepsy;
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a personal or family history of diabetes;
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an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating;
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glaucoma; or
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trouble swallowing.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether olanzapine is
harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, 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).
How should I take olanzapine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Olanzapine can be taken with or without food.
Olanzapine is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
To take olanzapine orally disintegrating tablets (Zyprexa Zydis):
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Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the
medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet
through the foil or you may damage the tablet.
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Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your
mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.
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Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in
your mouth without chewing.
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Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired,
you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.
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 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.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to check your
progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Store olanzapine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of olanzapine?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about olanzapine?
Your pharmacist has information about olanzapine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of olanzapine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using olanzapine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
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fever, stiff muscles, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats;
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jerky muscle movements you cannot control;
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sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the
body;
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sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech,
or balance;
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increased thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, or
weakness;
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feeling light-headed, fainting;
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unusual thoughts or behavior, hallucinations, or thoughts
about hurting yourself; or
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nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
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dizziness, drowsiness, or weakness;
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constipation;
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dry mouth;
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swelling in your hands or feet;
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back pain;
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weight gain, increased appetite; or
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upset stomach.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about olanzapine?
Olanzapine is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Olanzapine may
cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia 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.
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 should I avoid while taking olanzapine?
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.
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 other drugs will affect olanzapine?
Before using olanzapine, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you
sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and
medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by olanzapine.
The following drugs can interact with olanzapine. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:
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a medication to treat high blood pressure or a heart condition;
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carbamazepine (Tegretol);
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fluvoxamine (Luvox); or
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a medication to treat Parkinson's disease including
levodopa (Sinemet, Larodopa, Atamet), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), pramipexole (Mirapex),
ropinirole (Requip), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
olanzapine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of olanzapine?
