Olanzapine is used to treat schizophrenia (long-term mental disorder that causes changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviour). It helps relieve symptoms common in schizophrenia, such as distorted thinking and emotional instability.
This medicine is also used to treat a mood disturbance called bipolar disorder (mental condition that causes extreme mood changes between feeling very high [mania] and very low [depression]).
Olanzapine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Olanzapine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Olanzapine is available as a conventional tablet and as an orodispersible tablet.
If you have been given the conventional tablet, swallow it whole with a glass of water.
If you are taking the orodispersible tablet, follow these steps:
- Remove it from the foil only just before you take it. Do not leave the orodispersible tablet exposed to air. Do not push the orodispersible tablet through the foil as it is fragile and easily broken.
- Remove the orodispersible tablet with dry hands by peeling the backing off the foil and tipping the tablet onto your dry hands.
- Place the orodispersible tablet directly on your tongue as soon as it is taken out of the foil. The orodispersible tablet will immediately start to melt on the tongue. It can then be swallowed with or without water.
Do not cut, break, or crush the orodispersible tablet.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and your response to the medication.
Olanzapine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it suddenly as this may worsen your condition.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease e.g. recent heart attack, heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
- heart rhythm disorder e.g. congenital long QT syndrome (inherited disease causing abnormally fast and erratic heartbeats)
- epilepsy (fits or seizures) or predisposing conditions to fits or seizures e.g. head injury, brain damage, alcoholism
- Parkinson's disease (a disorder that affects the movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking)
- Alzheimer's disease (a progressive disease which destroys memory and other important mental functions)
- low potassium or magnesium levels in the blood
- high cholesterol levels in the blood
- decreased intestinal activity e.g. paralytic ileus (bowel obstruction caused by slow movement or paralysis of the intestines)
- dehydration (excessive water loss from the body)
- urinary retention (inability to completely empty the bladder when urinating)
- benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement)
- bone marrow depression (a condition in which the blood cells are low) associated with radiation or chemotherapy
- kidney disease
- liver disease
This medicine is not approved for the treatment of individuals with mood disorders related to dementia (a group of symptoms affecting thinking, memory, and social abilities).
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Olanzapine to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Notify your doctor if you are a smoker.
Medicines for depression such as Olanzapine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. As depression and some psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with an increased risk of suicide, it is important for you or your family members to monitor your condition, especially at the start of treatment and if your dosage is still being adjusted. If you experience new or sudden changes in mood, behaviour, thoughts or feelings or a worsening of your depression with suicidal thoughts or attempts, harm to self or harm to others, contact your doctor immediately.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver or kidney function, blood cholesterol, sugar, and electrolyte levels) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your blood pressure may fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.
What lifestyle changes should I make?
Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help increase energy and hormones in the body such as serotonin, endorphins and other feel-good chemicals that minimise mood swings. Get enough sleep, as lack of sleep may cause irritability, moodiness, sadness, and tiredness.
Olanzapine may affect the ability of your body to adjust to temperature changes in the environment. Avoid exposure to very cold or very hot environments. Avoid strenuous exercise and activities like going to the sauna. Drink more water to prevent dehydration.
Olanzapine may cause drowsiness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
This medicine may also cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.
Other side effects include any of the following: swollen abdomen, increased appetite, stuttering, tiredness, joint pain, hair loss, and sensitivity to sunlight.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, fever, tender or enlarged lymph nodes, swelling of the face
- irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting
- reduced sex drive, inability to have orgasm, erection problems, menstrual changes
- weakness or numbness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, vision problems, changes in balance or coordination
- fever, muscle cramps or stiffness, severe headache, fast heartbeat, excessive sweating
- tremors, slowed movements, stiffness of the arms and legs, imbalance while walking, and other uncontrollable movements such as twitching and jerking
- not sweating during activities or in warm temperatures
- having thoughts of self-harm
- dry mouth, difficulty passing urine, constipation
- thirst, increased urination, fruity breath odour
Olanzapine may cause the level of your white blood cells and platelets to drop.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for high blood pressure
- medicines for irregular heartbeat
- medicines for anxiety e.g. diazepam, alprazolam
- other medicines used to treat depression e.g. fluvoxamine
- carbamazepine (medicine for fits or seizures)
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB, an infection known as tuberculosis)
- levodopa (medicine for Parkinson's disease)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Olanzapine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the drowsiness caused by Olanzapine.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light and moisture.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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