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What is the most importantinformation I should know about olanzapine? * At the start of Zyprexa therapy, the drug can cause extremelow blood pressure, increased heart rate, dizziness, and, in rarecases, a tendency to faint when first standing up. These problems aremore likely if you are dehydrated, have heart disease, or take bloodpressure medicine. To avoid such problems, your doctor may start with alow dose of Zyprexa and increase the dosage gradually
What is olanzapine? * OLANZAPINE (Zyprexa?) helps to treat emotional andmental problems like schizophrenia or psychosis. Olanzapine is alsosometimes used for the treatment of other emotional or mental problemslike manic-depressive illness, bipolar disorder, or behavioral problemsthat occur with dementia. Olanzapine can help you to keep in touch withreality and reduce your mental problems. It is not a cure. Genericolanzapine tablets are not yet available.
What should I discuss with myhealthcare provider before taking olanzapine? * Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have - liver disease orother problems with your liver
- heart disease orother heart problems such as high blood pressure, a previous heartattack, or irregular heartbeats
- seizures orepilepsy
- diabetes
- ever beendiagnosed with breast cancer
- an enlargedprostate or difficulty urinating or
- glaucoma.
* You may not be able to take olanzapine, or you may requirea dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you haveany of the conditions listed above.
* Hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar) has been reported inpatients treated with atypical antipsychotics including olanzapine.Talk to your doctor if you experience any signs of hyperglycemiaincluding excessive thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, orweakness.
* The orally disintegrating tablet (Zyprexa Zydis) form ofthis medication contains phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor beforeusing this formulation if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
* Olanzapine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This meansthat it is not known whether olanzapine will be harmful to an unbornbaby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctorif you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
* It is not known whether olanzapine passes into breast milk.Do not take olanzapine without first talking to your doctor if you arebreast-feeding a baby.
How should I take olanzapine? * Take olanzapine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions onthe prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Youcan take olanzapine with food or meals if you want to. Take your dosesat regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often thandirected. Do not stop taking except on your prescribers advice.
What happens if I miss a dose? * Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, ifit is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip themissed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a doubledose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose? * Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose issuspected.
* Symptoms of an olanzapine overdose include drowsiness,agitation, aggressiveness, slurred speech, increased heart rate,vomiting, chest pains, trouble breathing and convulsions.
What should I watch whiletaking olanzapine? * Visit your prescriber or health care professional forregular checks on your progress. It may be several weeks before you seethe full effects of olanzapine. Do notify your prescriber if yoursymptoms get worse or you have new symptoms, if you are having anunusual effect from olanzapine, or if you feel out of control, verydiscouraged or think you might harm yourself or others. Your prescribercan help you manage these problems.
* Do not suddenly stop taking olanzapine. You may need togradually reduce the dose. Only stop taking olanzapine on yourprescribers advice.
* You may get dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery,or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know howolanzapine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially ifyou are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or faintingspells.
* Alcohol can increase dizziness and drowsiness witholanzapine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
* Do not treat yourself for colds, diarrhea or allergies. Askyour prescriber or health care professional for advice, somenonprescription medicines may increase possible side effects.
* Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or suckinghard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help. Be careful whenbrushing and flossing your teeth to avoid mouth infections or damage toyour gums. See your dentist regularly. Sometimes olanzapine can makeyour mouth water a lot.
* Olanzapine can reduce the response of your body to heat orcold. Try not to get overheated or dehydrated from exercise. Avoidtemperature extremes, such as saunas, hot tubs, or very hot or coldbaths or showers. Dress warmly in cold weather.
* Olanzapine may make your skin more sensitive to sun orultraviolet light. Limit your sun exposure wear protective clothingoutdoors and use a sunscreen (at least SPF 15). Avoid using sun lampsor sun tanning beds or booths.
* If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber orhealth care professional that you are taking olanzapine.
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