Type of medicine: antipsychotic
Generic and brand names: olanzapine, oral; Zyprexa; Zyprexa Zydis; Zyprexa IntraMuscular; Zyprexa Relprevv
This medicine is taken by mouth or given by injection to treat the symptoms of mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar mania.
It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking or planning to take any other prescription or nonprescription medicines during treatment with this medicine.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking this medicine. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine. Taking this medicine during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems for the baby. Symptoms the baby may have include agitation, tight muscles, floppy muscles, shaking, trouble breathing, or trouble feeding. Talk with your provider about this.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill or injection.
Shots of this medicine will be given by a healthcare provider.
If you have the tablets, take them with a glass of water, with or without food. Usually your healthcare provider will start you with a small dosage and increase it gradually after several days. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not increase the dosage on your own.
If you have the disintegrating tablets, 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. Peel back the foil, then take the tablet out. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet in your mouth and let it melt quickly.
Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Your dosage may need to be reduced gradually.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose the next day. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: drowsiness, restlessness, aggressiveness, slurred speech, confusion, increased heartbeat, uncontrolled muscle movements, trouble breathing, fainting, coma.
Older adults with dementia are at greater risk for side effects, including death. Talk with your provider about this.
If you are receiving the long-acting injection form of this medicine, you will be watched closely for at least 3 hours after your injection. Someone must be with you after you leave the clinic. You should not drive or use heavy machinery for the rest of the day after you receive an injection. Symptoms to watch for include:
If you have any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away.
Newborn babies may have trouble breathing or feeding, or other symptoms, if the mother takes this medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy. This medicine should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit is greater than the possible risk to your baby. Talk with your provider about this.
This medicine can cause low blood pressure, especially when you start taking it, or if you take it with alcohol or sedatives. Low blood pressure may make you feel lightheaded or dizzy. Getting up slowly when sitting or lying down may help. Take care to avoid falling.
This medicine can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and problems with judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are fully alert.
While taking this medicine, be careful when you exercise, especially when it is hot. This medicine affects your body's ability to cool down, and you may get too hot. If you get too hot, you might vomit, feel dizzy, have a fast heartbeat, get very stiff muscles, or be confused. Contact your provider right away if you have these symptoms.
Using this medicine for a long time may cause muscle spasms, twitching in the face and body, and uncontrolled tongue or jaw movement. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
This medicine may increase the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood. This is especially true for teens 13 to 17 years old. You will need tests to check these levels regularly. Keep all appointments for tests.
This medicine may also cause you to gain weight. Talk with your provider about this.
This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine. Do not take other medicines unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may increase the risk of diabetes, especially if you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes. If you have diabetes, this medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Thoughts of suicide; behavior changes; seizures; increased thirst; increased urination; trouble urinating; vision problems; extreme hunger; uncontrolled muscle movements; slurred speech; fever; sweating; confusion; weakness or numbness on one side of your body; swelling in the feet or legs; trouble standing or walking; severe dizziness or fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; unexplained fever, sore throat, or cough.
Other: Drowsiness, tiredness, dizziness, restlessness, runny nose, headache, constipation, dry mouth, cough, stomach pain, tremors or shaking, weight gain, increased appetite, trouble sleeping, back pain, breast swelling, erectile dysfunction.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
