Olanzapine
= Prescription Required 
= Generic Equvalent
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Zyprexa 2.5mg Tablets
Olanzapine
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Zyprexa 5mg Tablets
Olanzapine
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Zyprexa 7.5mg Tablets
Olanzapine
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Zyprexa 10mg Tablets
Olanzapine
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Zyprexa 15mg Tablets
Olanzapine
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Olanzapine Prescription Drug Information
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 Olanzapine.
When Olanzapine Should Not Be Used:
You should not use Olanzapine if you have had an allergic reaction to olanzapine.
How to Use Olanzapine:
Tablet, Dissolving Tablet
- Your doctor will tell you how much of Olanzapine 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 Olanzapine 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.
- Olanzapine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.
If a dose of Olanzapine 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 Olanzapine:
- 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 While Taking Olanzapine:
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 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®, or Zestril®).
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are using medicine to treat anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, Valium®, or 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 Olanzapine.
- Tell your doctor if you smoke tobacco. You might need a different amount of Olanzapine if you smoke.
Warnings While Using Olanzapine:
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, or if you have diabetes, liver disease, prostate problems, narrow-angle glaucoma, or a history of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), breast cancer, seizures, or severe constipation. Tell your doctor if you have any kind of heart or circulation problems, including low blood pressure, heart failure, heart rhythm problems, or a history of a heart attack or stroke.
- Some side effects are more likely to happen in elderly people with dementia or other memory problems. Make sure the doctor knows if the person who will be using Olanzapine has forgetfulness or confusion related to aging (such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia).
- Do not breastfeed while you are using Olanzapine.
- For some patients, Olanzapine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel more depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you, especially if they are new or are getting worse quickly. Make sure the doctor knows if you have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell the doctor if you have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. Let the doctor know if you or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) or has tried to commit suicide.
- Olanzapine 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.
- Olanzapine may increase your weight. Your doctor may need to check your weight regularly during treatment with Olanzapine.
- Olanzapine may increase the amount of sugar in your blood. Check with your doctor right away if you have increased thirst or increased urination. If you have diabetes, you may notice a change in the results of your urine or blood sugar tests. If you have any questions, check with your doctor.
- Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using Olanzapine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
- Olanzapine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. You may also feel lightheaded when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, so stand up slowly.
- Tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder) may occur and may not go away after you stop using the medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while taking Olanzapine: lip smacking or puckering, puffing of the cheeks, rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue, uncontrolled chewing movements, or uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs.
- Stop taking Olanzapine and check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while using Olanzapine: convulsions (seizures), difficulty with breathing, a fast heartbeat, a high fever, high or low blood pressure, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, severe muscle stiffness, unusually pale skin, or tiredness. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
- You might get overheated while using Olanzapine. Drink plenty of water during hot weather, while exercising, or while using a hot tub or sauna. If your body gets too hot, you might feel dizzy, weak, tired, or confused. You might have an upset stomach or vomit. Call your doctor if drinking cool water and moving away from the heat does not cool you down.
- Zyprexa® Zydis® tablets contain 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 Olanzapine.
Possible Side Effects While Using Olanzapine:
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, or 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, or trouble with 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 with swallowing.
If you notice these less serious side effects while taking Olanzapine, talk with your doctor:
- Back pain.
- Constipation, upset stomach.
- Dry mouth, increased thirst, or watering of the mouth.
- Increased appetite.
- Missed menstrual period.
- Redness or swelling in your eye.
- Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness.
- Stuffy or runny nose.
- Trouble with sleeping.
- Weakness.
- Weight gain.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by Olanzapine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088
