Olanzapine



Zyprexa®; Zyprexa® Zydis®







Olanzapine

(oh LAN za peen)

U.S. Brand Names
Zyprexa®; Zyprexa® Zydis®
Canadian Brand Names
Zyprexa®; Zyprexa® Zydis®
Pharmacologic Category
Antipsychotic Agent, Atypical
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to olanzapine or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat mania.
  • This medicine is used to treat psychosis. It may take 6 weeks to see the full effect.
How does it work?
  • Olanzapine helps clear your thinking.
  • It works on improving social interactions, mood, expression of mood, as well as, delusions, paranoia, and appearance.
  • It is a mood stabilizer.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.
  • Oral-disintegrating tablet: Place on tongue and let dissolve. Water is not needed. Do not swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
  • This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle.
  • Follow diet and exercise plan as recommended by healthcare provider.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.
  • If you have PKU, talk with healthcare provider. Some products do contain phenylalanine.
  • If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider. This medicine can increase blood sugar.
  • If you have a family history of diabetes, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you are overweight, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain medicine.
  • You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
  • Be careful in hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.
  • Nervous and excitable.
  • Hostility.
  • Headache.
  • Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
  • Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Weight gain.
  • High blood sugar. Usually reverses when stopped.
  • Inability to sleep.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood sugar as directed by healthcare provider.
  • Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Severe dizziness or passing out.
  • Significant change in balance.
  • Shakiness, difficulty moving around, or stiffness.
  • Very nervous and excitable.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Increased trips to the bathroom, increased thirst, or weight loss.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from light.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
  • Injection:
  • The injection will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: