Canadian pharmacy buying guide: drug characteristics, uses and benefits, side effects and interactions, and links for further information about buying discount drugs online from Canada.

Zyprexa Consumer Information

ZYPREXA

Generic Name: olanzapine (oh LAN za peen)

Brand Names: Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis

What is the most important information I should know about olanzapine?

• Call your doctor immediately if you have uncontrollable movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms, or legs.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Olanzapine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
• Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.
• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking olanzapine.
• Avoid becoming overheated during olanzapine therapy. It is easier to become dangerously dehydrated while you are taking olanzapine. Use caution in hot weather and during exercise. Drink plenty of fluids.

What is olanzapine?

• Olanzapine is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in your brain.
• Olanzapine is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions, including hallucinations, delusions, and confusion.
• Olanzapine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking olanzapine?

• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
• liver disease or other problems with your liver;
• heart disease or other heart problems such as high blood pressure, a previous heart attack, or irregular heartbeats;
• seizures or epilepsy;
• an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating; or
• glaucoma.
• You may not be able to take olanzapine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• The form orally disintegrating tablet (Zyprexa Zydis) form of this medication contains phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this formulation if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
• Olanzapine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether olanzapine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• It is also not known whether olanzapine passes into breast milk. Do not take olanzapine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take olanzapine?

• Take olanzapine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Olanzapine can be taken with or without food.
• Olanzapine is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• To take Olanzapine orally disintegrating tablets (Zyprexa Zydis):
• Using dry hands, open the sachet and peel back foil on blister. Do not push tablet through foil.
• Immediately upon opening the blister, remove the tablet and place it in the mouth.
• Tablet disintegration occurs rapidly in saliva so it can be easily swallowed with or without liquid.
• Do not stop taking olanzapine without the approval of your doctor. It may be 4 weeks or more before you begin to feel better, and you may require continuous treatment for quite some time. Talk to your doctor before you stop taking this medication.
• Store olanzapine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of an olanzapine overdose include drowsiness and slurred speech.

What should I avoid while taking olanzapine?

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Olanzapine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
• Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.
• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking olanzapine.
• Avoid becoming overheated during olanzapine therapy. It is easier to become dangerously dehydrated while you are taking olanzapine. Use caution in hot weather and during exercise. Drink plenty of fluids.

What are the possible side effects of olanzapine?

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking olanzapine and seek emergency medical attention:
• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or
• uncontrollable movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms, or legs.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take olanzapine and talk to your doctor if you experience
• dizziness or drowsiness,
• agitation,
• an increased heart rate,
• constipation,
• dry mouth, or
• weight gain.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect olanzapine?

• Carbamazepine (Tegretol) can decrease the effects of olanzapine. A change in your olanzapine dosage may be necessary.
• Olanzapine may increase the effects of medicines that are used to control high blood pressure. This could lead to very low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, and other symptoms. Tell your doctor if you are taking a medication to control your blood pressure or to treat another heart condition.
• Olanzapine may also increase the effects of drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (medicines that treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants, and any other drug that makes you feel sleepy or relaxed. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking and do not take any medicine unless your doctor approves.
• Olanzapine may decrease the effects of levodopa (Sinemet, Larodopa, Dopar), which is used to treat Parkinson's disease. This could lead to worsening parkinsonian symptoms.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with olanzapine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about olanzapine written for health professionals that you may read.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Limitations of This Canadian Pharmacy Information

Efforts have been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. This is an educational resource only intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. This site does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 3.04. Revision Date: 2/14/03.