Temperature regulation: Impaired core body temperature regulation may occur; caution with strenuous exercise, heat exposure, and dehydration. Second generation antipsychotics SGAs increase the risk of weight gain, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol. This is also known as metabolic syndrome. Your healthcare provider may ask you for a blood sample to check your cholesterol, blood sugar, and hemoglobin A1c a measure of blood sugar over time while you take this medication.
All antipsychotics have been associated with the risk of sudden cardiac death due to an arrhythmia irregular heartbeat. To minimize this risk, antipsychotic medications should be used in the smallest effective dose when the benefits outweigh the risks. Your doctor may order an EKG to monitor for irregular heartbeat. Symptoms include confusion, fever, extreme muscle stiffness, and sweating. If any of these symptoms occur, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
All antipsychotics can cause sedation, dizziness, or orthostatic hypotension a drop in blood pressure when standing up from sitting or lying down. These side effects may lead to falls which could cause bone fractures or other injuries. This risk is higher for people with conditions or other medications that could worsen these effects. If falls or any of these symptoms occur, contact your healthcare provider.
Multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms [DRESS] : Potentially serious, sometimes fatal, multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. Tardive dyskinesia TD is a side effect that develops with prolonged use of antipsychotics. If you develop symptoms of TD, such as grimacing, sucking, and smacking of lips, or other movements that you cannot control, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
All patients taking either first or second generation antipsychotics should have an Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale AIMS completed regularly by their healthcare provider to monitor for TD. Second generation antipsychotics SGAs increase the risk of diabetes, weight gain, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides.
Olanzapine may lower your blood pressure. Medications used to lower blood pressure may increase this effect. This risk is increased when these medications are given as an injection. Cigarette and other types of smoke can decrease levels of olanzapine. Let your healthcare provider know if you start or stop smoking cigarettes.
Nicotine patches do not impact olanzapine levels. It is very important to tell your doctor how you feel things are going during the first few weeks after you start taking olanzapine.
It will probably take several weeks to see big enough changes in your symptoms to decide if olanzapine is the right medication for you. Antipsychotic treatment is generally needed lifelong for persons with schizophrenia. Your doctor can best discuss the duration of treatment you need based on your symptoms and illness. Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists.
This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions. Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein.
The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein. Search Close Menu. Sign In About Mental Illness. About Mental Illness Treatments.
About Mental Illness Research. Your Journey Individuals with Mental Illness. Your Journey Family Members and Caregivers. Your Journey Identity and Cultural Dimensions. It may take several days, or even weeks, for some of your symptoms to start improving. Soon after you first start taking olanzapine, before your other symptoms improve, it may make you feel more relaxed and calm. Common side effects include: feeling sleepy, feeling dizzy, and constipation. It works by affecting the naturally occurring chemical messengers in your brain neurotransmitters , like dopamine and serotonin.
Olanzapine can be taken by adults aged 18 years and over. Dosage and strength Olanzapine tablets come in different strengths: 2. How to take olanzapine Take olanzapine once a day, at the same time each day.
You can take it with or without food. How to take tablets Swallow your tablet whole with a drink of water. How to take tablets that dissolve in your mouth orodispersible Place the tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve. How to have injections Injections are given into the muscle of your buttock every 2 to 4 weeks by a doctor or nurse. Will my dose go up or down? What if I forget to take it?
Contact your doctor if you miss 2 or more doses. Do not take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten dose. What if I take too much? Taking too much olanzapine can lead to serious side effects.
Urgent advice: Contact for advice now if:. You take more than your prescribed dose of olanzapine and: feel sleepy or tired have unusual body movements, especially face or tongue movements have problems standing and walking feel dizzy Call or visit You take more than your prescribed dose of olanzapine and: have a fast or irregular heartbeats have a seizure or fit start having problems with your speech have fast or slow breathing. Common side effects These common side effects may affect up to 1 in 10 people.
Tell your doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away: feeling sleepy in the day putting on weight or an increase in your appetite feeling dizzy especially when getting up from a sitting or lying position rash constipation See your doctor if you have: sexual problems such as lower libido in men and women, or problems getting an erection — these can be signs of hormone changes problems with your movement infections including coughs, colds and chest infections, ear and eye infections, or urinary tract infections UTIs — these can be signs of a low white blood cell count Serious side effects Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1, people.
Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to olanzapine. Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: feeling sleepy in the day — do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery if you're feeling this way. Do not drink alcohol as this will make you feel more tired.
As your body gets used to olanzapine, these side effects should wear off. If they do not get better after a few weeks, speak to your doctor. Regular exercise will also help to keep your weight stable. It should only last a few moments. As you get used to your medicine this problem should wear off. Ask your pharmacist which type is suitable for you to take while you are on olanzapine constipation — eat more high-fibre foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals.
Try to drink several glasses of water or another non-alcoholic liquid every day. If you can, it may also help to increase your exercise. Olanzapine and pregnancy Olanzapine can be taken during pregnancy and is not thought to be harmful to your baby.
Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Olanzapine and breastfeeding If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take olanzapine while breastfeeding. Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. There are some medicines that may affect how olanzapine works. Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements.
How does olanzapine work? How long does it take to work? How long will I take it for? This will depend on why you need olanzapine. How will olanzapine make me feel? You may find olanzapine makes you: able to concentrate better, and think more clearly able to get things done and stay focused remember things more easily feel more comfortable with other people and get along with them better more aware of what is real and what is not real stop hearing voices.
Can I take olanzapine for a long time? What will happen if I stop taking it? Withdrawal symptoms include: feeling or being sick sweating difficulty sleeping Talk to your doctor first if you want to go onto a lower dose or to stop taking olanzapine. How does it compare with other antipsychotic medicines? How does olanzapine compare to lithium for bipolar disorder? Can olanzapine be used to treat anxiety? Can I drink alcohol with it?
Will I gain or lose weight? Is there any food or drink I need to avoid? However, olanzapine can make you feel hungrier and put on weight. Will it affect my contraception? Will it affect my fertility? Starting a drug can be scary, especially one that comes with various negative associations, but if I could go back and tell myself one thing or do one thing, it would be to ignore any assumptions I had about the drug before taking it.
I wish that I could have listened to my desire to get better over the fear of a name and a couple of side effects. Become a YoungMinds blogger Find out more. Spread the word Share or send this to someone.
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