What is olanzapine?
Olanzapine is a prescription medicine. It's available as a tablet and as a disintegrating tablet. (On your lips, the disintegrating tablet will dissolve.) Both forms are ingested orally. There is also an injectable version available. Zyprexa (oral tablet) and Zyprexa Zydis (disintegrating tablet) are two brand-name medications that contain olanzapine. They can also be bought as generic medications. Olanzapine can be used as part of a multi-drug treatment plan. This means you would need to mix it with other drugs like lithium, valproate, or fluoxetine.
Olanzapine Uses
Olanzapine is a drug that is used to treat a number of psychiatric and mood disorders (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder). It may also be used to treat depression in conjunction with other drugs. This drug will help you think more clearly and positively about yourself, feel less agitated, and engage more effectively in daily life by reducing hallucinations. Olanzapine belongs to the atypical antipsychotic drug class. It functions by assisting in the restoration of the brain's normal chemical equilibrium.
Olanzapine Side effects
Some of the common side effects of Olanzapine are:
- Dizziness
- Restlessness
- Unusual behaviour
- Depression
- Difficulty in falling asleep
- Weakness
- Difficulty walking
- Constipation
- Weight gain
- Dry mouth
- Pain in arms, legs and jointBreast enlargement
- Late in menstrual periods
Some of the serious side effects of Olanzapine are:
- Seizures
- Blurred vision
- Swelling of arms
- Unusual movements
- Sore throat
- Very stiff muscles
- Excess sweating
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Rash
- Hives
Olanzapine can cause some other major adverse effects. When you take olanzapine, the amount of fat in your blood can rise. Teenagers taking olanzapine are more likely than adults to gain weight, have higher fat levels in their blood, develop liver problems, and experience side effects including sleepiness and breast enlargement. Consult your doctor about the dangers of olanzapine use.
Precautions
Before taking Olanzapine talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medications. The product may contain some inactive ingredients which can cause serious side effects and some serious allergic reactions. Before using Olanzapine talk with your doctor if you are having any medical history such as liver problems, seizures, difficulty in swallowing, dementia, glaucoma, intestinal problems, heart disease and high cholesterol.
How to take Olanzapine?
Olanzapine is available in the form of a tablet and an orally disintegrating tablet (a tablet that dissolves rapidly in the mouth). It's taken once a day, with or without food. Every day, at the same time, take olanzapine. Do not take more or less of it, or take it more often than your doctor has prescribed. Pushing the orally disintegrating tablet through the foil is not a safe idea. Instead, peel back the foil wrapping with dry hands. Take the tablet out of your pocket and put it in your mouth right away. The tablet will dissolve easily and can be taken with or without water.
Olanzapine will help you handle your symptoms, but it won't make your disease go away. It could take several weeks or even months for you to experience the full benefits of olanzapine. Even if you feel good, keep taking olanzapine. Stopping olanzapine without consulting your doctor is not a smart idea. Your doctor would most likely want to progressively reduce your dosage.
Dosage of Olanzapine
Forms and strengths
Generic: Olanzapine
- Form: oral tablet (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg)
- Form: oral disintegrating tablet (5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg)
Brand: Zyprexa
- Form: oral tablet (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg)
Brand: Zyprexa Zydis
- Form: oral disintegrating tablet (5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg)
Missed Dose
If you forget to take a dose, do so as soon as you recall. If the next dose is coming, skip the skipped dose. Take the next dose at the same time every day. To catch up, do not double the dose.
Overdose
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed olanzapine tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
Warnings for some Serious Health Conditions
For people with Alzheimer’s disease
Olanzapine isn't licenced to treat Alzheimer's disease or dementia-related psychosis.Olanzapine increases the risk of death in seniors with dementia-related psychosis (age 65 or older). Heart complications, such as heart failure, and infectious diseases, such as pneumonia, account for the bulk of these deaths.
For people with diabetes or high sugar levels
Olanzapine can cause blood sugar levels to rise. Before and during treatment with this drug, your doctor can monitor your blood sugar levels. Any diabetes drugs you're taking may need to be changed.
For people with heart problems
Olanzapine can cause a drop in blood pressure that is unexpected. If you have a history of heart attacks, contact your doctor and see if this medicine is right for you. Heart disease, a history of heart attack or stroke, heart failure, or problems with blood flow through the heart are all examples of these concerns. They also include any problems that may deteriorate if the blood pressure falls too low.
For people with Blood problems
Low levels of white blood cells, or neutrophils, may be caused by olanzapine. Infections are more common at these low levels. If you have a history of blood disorders or are taking other medications that can reduce these blood cell levels, your doctor should check your blood regularly during the first few months of treatment with this medicine. They can also keep an eye on you for any signs of illness, such as a fever.
Pregnancy
If the benefits outweigh the risks, use olanzapine with caution during pregnancy. Animal studies indicate a possibility, but human studies are either unavailable or have not been performed. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) or withdrawal symptoms in neonates exposed to antipsychotic medications during the third trimester of pregnancy are a concern after delivery; the severity of these complications varies and some being self-limited.
Breastfeeding
Olanzapine can pass into breast milk and cause side effects in a breastfed infant. If you're taking olanzapine, you shouldn't breastfeed. If you are breastfeeding your infant, talk with your doctor. You must choose whether or not to avoid breastfeeding or take this drug.
Storage
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach. Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Olanzapine vs Risperidone
| Olanzapine belongs to the atypical antipsychotic drug class. It functions by assisting in the restoration of the brain's normal chemical equilibrium. | Risperidone belongs to the atypical antipsychotic drug class. It functions by assisting in the restoration of the brain's normal chemical equilibrium. |
| Olanzapine is a drug that is used to treat a number of psychiatric and mood disorders | Risperidone is a drug that is used to treat a number of psychiatric and mood conditions. This drug will assist you in thinking logically and engaging in daily activities. |
Some of the common side effects of Olanzapine are:
|
Most common side effects of Risperidone are:
|
