Olanzapine and Fluoxetine



Symbyax™







Olanzapine and Fluoxetine

(oh LAN za peen & floo OKS e teen)

U.S. Brand Names
Symbyax™
Pharmacologic Category
Antidepressant, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor; Antipsychotic Agent, Atypical
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
  • The desire to harm yourself is a serious symptom of depression. It may last until your depression is completely treated. If you are planning on harming yourself, dial 911 right away.
  • Please read the medication guide given to you.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to olanzapine, fluoxetine, 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 taking thioridazine or mesoridazine.
  • If you have taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days before this medicine is started. Taking the two together could cause dangerously high blood pressure.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat manic depression.
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.
  • Fluoxetine increases chemicals in the brain.
  • In depression, sleep and appetite may improve quickly. Other depressive symptoms may take up to 4-6 weeks to improve.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this medicine in the evening.
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • 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.
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 have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider. This medicine can increase blood sugar.
  • If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.
  • 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?
  • High blood sugar. Usually reverses when stopped.
  • 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.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Weight gain.
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.
  • If you are planning to harm yourself or the desire to harm yourself increases.
  • 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 moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
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.
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