Zyprexa Oral

Warnings  

There may be a slightly increased risk of serious, possibly fatal side effects (e.g., stroke, heart failure) when this medication is used in elderly patients with dementia. Discuss the risks and benefits of this medication, as well as other effective and possibly safer treatments for dementia-related behavior problems, with your doctor.

Uses 
This medication is used to treat certain mental/mood conditions (schizophrenia, bipolar mania). It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters).

Some of the benefits of continued use of this medication include feeling less nervous, better concentration, and reduced episodes of hallucinations.

OTHER USES:
This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This drug has been used to treat dementia-related behavior problems (e.g., agitation, aggression) when standard treatments (e.g., behavioral therapy, cholinesterase inhibitors) have not been successful.

This drug should only be used for the condition for which it was prescribed.

How to use Zyprexa Oral

Take as directed, usually once a day by mouth with or without food. Stand up slowly, especially when starting this medication, to avoid dizziness.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Before taking olanzapine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have a history of the following: neuroleptic malignant syndrome (see also Side Effects section).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver problems, low blood pressure, breast cancer, stroke, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, seizures, prostate problems, glaucoma (narrow angle type), intestinal disease, difficulty swallowing, tardive dyskinesia (see also Side Effects section), smoking.

Also tell your doctor or pharmacist if either you or a family member has a history of the following: diabetes, heart disease, high blood cholesterol/triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, obesity.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

This medication can make you prone to heat stroke. Avoid activities that might cause you to overheat (e.g., doing strenuous work, exercising in hot weather, or using hot tubs).

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness, drowsiness, or seizures.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe drowsiness, slurred speech, slowed breathing, or seizures.

NOTES:

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., fasting blood sugar-FBS, weight, blood pressure, blood cholesterol/triglyceride levels, liver function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Go for regular eye exams as part of your regular health care, and to check for any unlikely, but possible, eye problems.

MISSED DOSE:

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE:

Store at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from moisture and light. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Dizziness, stomach pain, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain, drowsiness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To minimize dizziness or fainting, stand up slowly when arising from a seated or lying position; especially when you first start using this medication.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: fast heartbeat, ankle/leg swelling, agitation, confusion, restlessness, weakness, difficulty speaking, numbness or tingling of hands or feet, trouble walking (abnormal gait), painful menstrual periods, pink urine, tremor.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: yellowing of the eyes or skin, painful urination, other eye problems, seizures, difficulty swallowing.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, sudden vision changes, headache.

This drug may infrequently make your blood sugar level rise, which can cause or worsen diabetes. High blood sugar can rarely cause serious conditions such as diabetic coma. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of high blood sugar, such as unusual increased thirst and urination. If you already have diabetes, be sure to check your blood sugars regularly.

This drug may also cause significant weight gain and a rise in your blood cholesterol (or triglyceride) levels. These effects, along with diabetes, may increase your risk for developing heart disease. Discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor. (See also Notes section.)

This medication may rarely cause a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Seek immediate medical attention if you develop the following: fever, muscle stiffness, severe confusion, sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat.

Olanzapine may rarely cause a condition known as tardive dyskinesia. In some cases, this condition may be permanent. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any unusual/uncontrolled movements (especially of the face or tongue).

In rare instances, this medication may increase your blood level of a certain hormone (prolactin). For females, this rare increase in prolactin levels may result in unwanted breast milk, the menstrual period stopping, or difficulty becoming pregnant. For males, it may result in decreased sexual ability, inability to produce sperm, or enlarged breasts. If you develop any of these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately.

For males, in the very unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could occur.

A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

The following medication should not be used with olanzapine because a very serious interaction may occur: sibutramine.

If you are currently using the medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting olanzapine.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: carbamazepine, fluvoxamine, drugs for high blood pressure, omeprazole, drugs for Parkinson's disease, rifampin.

Report drugs that cause drowsiness such as medicine for sleep (e.g., sedatives), tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, or tricyclics such as amitriptyline), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., phenytoin), muscle relaxants, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine).

Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.