Zyprexa (Generic name: Olanzapine)

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

• Zyprexa is not for use in psychotic conditions that are related to dementia. Zyprexa has caused fatal heart attack and stroke in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
• Zyprexa may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Talk to your doctor if you have any signs of hyperglycemia such as increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or weakness. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking Zyprexa.
• Do not stop taking Zyprexa without first talking to your doctor. It may be at least 4 weeks before you begin to feel better, and you may need to take the medication for longer than 4 weeks. Follow your doctor's instructions. It is important to take Zyprexa regularly to get the most benefit.
• Do not take Zyprexa for longer than 8 weeks unless your doctor has told you to.
• Zyprexa can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
• 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.
• Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Zyprexa.
• Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Zyprexa.
• Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking Zyprexa.

What is Zyprexa?

• Zyprexa is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.
• Zyprexa is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression).
• Zyprexa may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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

• Zyprexa is not for use in psychotic conditions that are related to dementia. Zyprexa has caused fatal heart attack and stroke in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
• Before taking Zyprexa, tell your doctor if you have:
  • liver disease;
  • kidney disease;
  • heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems;
  • a history of heart attack or stroke;
  • a history of breast cancer;
  • seizures or epilepsy;
  • a personal or family history of diabetes;
  • an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating;
  • glaucoma; or
  • trouble swallowing.
• If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Zyprexa, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
• Zyprexa may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Talk to your doctor if you have any signs of hyperglycemia such as increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or weakness. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking Zyprexa.
• The Zyprexa orally disintegrating tablet (Zyprexa Zydis) may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of Zyprexa if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
• FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
• Zyprexa can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Zyprexa?

• Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
• Do not take Zyprexa for longer than 8 weeks unless your doctor has told you to.
• Take each tablet with a full glass of water.
• Zyprexa can be taken with or without food.
• Zyprexa is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• To take Zyprexa orally disintegrating tablets (Zyprexa Zydis):
  • Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.
  • Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.
  • Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.
  • Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.
• It is important to take Zyprexa regularly to get the most benefit.
• Do not stop taking Zyprexa without first talking to your doctor. It may be at least 4 weeks before you begin to feel better, and you may need to take the medication for longer than 4 weeks. Follow your doctor's instructions. It is important to take Zyprexa regularly to get the most benefit.
• To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
• Store Zyprexa at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an Zyprexa overdose may include drowsiness, agitation, aggression, slurred speech, confusion, increased heart rate, jerky or uncontrolled muscle movements, trouble breathing, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking Zyprexa?

• Zyprexa can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
• 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.
• Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Zyprexa.
• Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Zyprexa.
• Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking Zyprexa.

What are the possible side effects of Zyprexa?

• Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using Zyprexa and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
  • fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats;
  • jerky muscle movements you cannot control;
  • sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
  • sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
  • increased thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, or weakness;
  • feeling light-headed, fainting; or
  • unusual thoughts or behavior, hallucinations, or thoughts about hurting yourself.
• Continue taking Zyprexa and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:
  • dizziness, drowsiness, or weakness;
  • constipation;
  • dry mouth;
  • swelling in your hands or feet;
  • back pain;
  • weight gain, increased appetite; or
  • upset stomach.
• 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 Zyprexa?

• Before taking Zyprexa, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
  • a medication to treat high blood pressure or a heart condition;
  • carbamazepine (Tegretol);
  • fluvoxamine (Luvox); or
  • a medication to treat Parkinson's disease including levodopa (Sinemet, Larodopa, Atamet), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), pramipexole (Mirapex), ropinirole (Requip), and others.
• If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Zyprexa, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
• There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Zyprexa. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.