Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis

Generic Name: olanzapine (Pronunciation: oh LANZ a peen)

• What is olanzapine (Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis)?
• What are the possible side effects of olanzapine (Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis)?
• What is the most important information I should know about olanzapine (Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking olanzapine (Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis)?
• How should I take olanzapine (Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis)?
• What happens if I overdose (Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis)?
• What should I avoid while taking olanzapine (Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis)?
• What other drugs will affect olanzapine (Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is olanzapine (Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis)?

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.

Zyprexa 10 mg

round, white, imprinted with LILLY 4117

Zyprexa 15 mg

oval, blue, imprinted with LILLY 4415

Zyprexa 2.5 mg

round, white, imprinted with LILLY 4112

Zyprexa 20 mg

oval, pink, imprinted with LILLY 4420

Zyprexa 5 mg

round, white, imprinted with LILLY 4115

Zyprexa 7.5 mg

round, white, imprinted with LILLY 4116

Zyprexa Zydis 10 mg

round, yellow, imprinted with 10

Zyprexa Zydis 5 mg

round, yellow, imprinted with 5

What are the possible side effects of olanzapine (Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis)?

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:

• fever, stiff muscles, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats;
• jerky muscle movements you cannot control;
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
• increased thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, or weakness;
• feeling light-headed, fainting;
• unusual thoughts or behavior, hallucinations, or thoughts about hurting yourself; or
• 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:

• dizziness, drowsiness, or weakness;
• constipation;
• dry mouth;
• swelling in your hands or feet;
• back pain;
• weight gain, increased appetite; or
• 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 (Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis)?

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.