Health Library

Olanzapine (By mouth)

Olanzapine (oh-LAN-za-peen)

Treats schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness).

Brand Name(s):

ZyPREXA, ZyPREXA Zydis

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet, Dissolving Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Make sure your hands are dry before you handle the disintegrating tablet. Peel back the foil from the blister pack, then remove the tablet. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet in your mouth. After it has melted, swallow or take a drink of water.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep the disintegrating tablet in the original package until you are ready to use it.

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. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using.
• Some medicines can affect how olanzapine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Carbamazepine, diazepam, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, levodopa, omeprazole, or rifampin
  • Blood pressure medicine
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you smoke tobacco. You might need a different amount of this medicine if you smoke.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, glaucoma, prostate problems, problems with passing urine, breast cancer, seizures, or severe constipation. Tell your doctor if you have any kind of heart or circulation problems, including low blood pressure, heart failure, heart rhythm problems, or a history of a heart attack or stroke. Tell your doctor if you have a condition called phenylketonuria.
• Do not breastfeed while you are using this medicine.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Changes in behavior or mood, including thoughts of suicide
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a nerve and muscle problem)
  • Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)
  • High blood sugar, cholesterol, or triglyceride levels
  • Tardive dyskinesia (a muscle problem that may become permanent)
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy, or may cause trouble with thinking or controlling body movement, which may lead to falls, fractures or other injuries. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. You may also feel lightheaded when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, so stand up slowly.
• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
• This medicine may make it more difficult for your body to cool down. Be careful to not become overheated during exercise or hot weather, because you could have heat stroke.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

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
• Eye pain, trouble seeing
• Feeling very thirsty or hungry, change in how much or how often you urinate
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches
• Jerky muscle movement you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw)
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
• Seizures or tremors
• Sweating, confusion, uneven heartbeat, muscle stiffness
• Swollen breasts, or liquid discharge from your nipples (men or women)
• Swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in neck, armpit, or groin
• Trouble breathing or swallowing
• Unusual behavior, thoughts of hurting yourself or others
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

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

• Constipation, upset stomach
• Dry mouth
• Headache, tiredness
• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• Weight gain

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024