Health Library

Olanzapine (By injection)

Olanzapine (oh-LAN-za-peen)

Treats agitation (being overexcited, tense, hostile, or anxious) in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

Brand Name(s):

PremierPro Rx OLANZapine, ZyPREXA IntraMuscular, ZyPREXA Relprevv

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Your doctor will give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way.

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.
• 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)
  • Post-injection delirium/sedation syndrome
• 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.

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
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the shot was given
• 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