Olanzapine (oh-LAN-za-peen)

Treats an episode of agitation (being overexcited, tense, hostile, or anxious) in a person who has schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder.

Brand Name(s):

Zyprexa IntraMuscular

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• If your doctor wants you to keep using this medicine, you will need to change to the oral (tablet) form.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

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 also 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®, Zestril®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using medicine to treat anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, Valium®, 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 this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you smoke. You might need a different amount of this medicine if you smoke.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes, liver disease, prostate problems, or glaucoma. Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures, breast cancer, or severe constipation.
• Make sure your doctor knows about any heart or blood problems you have now or have had in the past. This includes heart rhythm problems or a stroke.
• Tell your doctor if you have ever had neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) caused by any medicine for psychiatric disorders.
• This medicine 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.
• This medicine may increase your weight. Your doctor may need to check your weight regularly during treatment with this medicine.
• This medicine may raise or lower your blood sugar, or it may cover up symptoms of very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. Sit or lie down until you no longer feel dizzy. Get up slowly.
• This medicine might reduce how much you sweat. Your body could get too hot if you do not sweat enough. If your body gets too hot, you might feel dizzy, weak, tired, or confused. You might vomit or have an upset stomach. Do not get too hot while you are exercising. Avoid places that are very hot. Call your doctor if you are too hot and cannot cool down.
• Some side effects are more likely to happen in elderly people who have memory problems or other reduced mental skills. Make sure the doctor knows if the person who will be using this medicine has Alzheimer's disease or similar problems (often called "dementia").

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

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, 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, trouble 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 swallowing.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Back pain.
• Constipation, upset stomach.
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, watering of mouth.
• Increased appetite.
• Missed menstrual period.
• Pain where the shot is given.
• Redness or swelling in your eye.
• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness.
• Stuffy or runny nose.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Weakness.
• Weight gain.