OLANZAPINE

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Zyprexa

GENERIC NAME(S): OLANZAPINE

Description: Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic

Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption: Well absorbed from the GI tract. Time to peak plasma concentration: Approx 5-8 hr (oral); approx 15-45 min (IM).

Distribution: Distributed into breast milk. Plasma protein binding: Approx 93%.

Metabolism: Extensively hepatic via direct glucuronidation and oxidation mediated by CYP1A2 isoenzyme and to a lesser extent, CYP2D6.

Excretion: Via urine (approx 57%) mainly as metabolites and faeces (approx 30%). Plasma elimination half-life: Approx 30-38 hr.

Uses

Used to treat
- Schizophrenia
- Bi-polar disorder
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- May also be used in conjuction with chemotherapy to prevent nausea and vomiting

It is an atypical antipsychotic the helps restore equilibrium of specific substances found in the brain

How to use olanzapine

Always refer to your doctors instructions before taking this medication. Duration and dosage will be determined by your medical condition and its response to the medication. Make sure to take this mediciation in the prescribed amount and time period even after symptoms disappear. Discontinuing the medication before completion of treatment may cause incomplete treatment of condition. If Symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

Taken by mouth; With or without food; usually once a day

Warnings

- May cause slight increase risk of the follwoing in older adults with dementia
  - Stroke
  - Heart failure
  - Fast/irregular heartbeat
  - Pneumonia

Side effects

- - Minor side effects (if these symptoms persist or worsen, inform your doctor)
    - Drowsiness
    - Dizziness
    - Lightheadedness
    - Stomach upset
    - Dry mouth
    - Constipation
    - Increased appetite
    - Weight Gain
  - Serious side effects (inform your doctor immediately)
    - Difficulty swallowing
    - Shaking (tremor)
    - Signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat)
    - Slow heartbeat
    - Fainting
    - Mental/mood changes (such as confusion, restlessness)
    - Numbness/tingling of arms/legs
    - Yellowing eyes/skin
    - Trouble urinating.
  - May cause elevated blood sugar levels, which can cause or worsen diabetes.
  - May also cause significant weight gain and increase blood cholesterol (or triglyceride) levels, especially in teenagers.
  - Rarely it may cause a condition known as tardive dyskinesia which manifests as unusual/uncontrolled movements (especially of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, arms or legs).
  - May increase a natural substance called prolactin.
    - For females, it may cause:
      - Unwanted breast milk
      - Missed/stopped periods
      - Difficulty becoming pregnant
    - For males, it may cause:
      - Decreased sexual ability
      - Inability to produce sperm
      - Enlarged breasts.
    - If you develop any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.
  Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: seizures.
  - May rarely cause a very serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
    - Seek immediate medical assistance if you have any of the following symptoms
      - Fever
      - Muscle stiffness/pain/tenderness/weakness
      - Severe tiredness
      - Severe confusion
      - Sweating
      - Fast/irregular heartbeat
      - Dark urine
      - Change in the amount of urine.

Precautions

Inform your doctor if you

Are allergic to the medication
Have a history of liver problems, seizures, difficulty swallowing, low white blood cell count, dementia, difficulty urinating (for example, due to enlarged prostate), glaucoma (narrow angle), stomach/intestinal disease (such as blockage, paralytic ileus), smoking, personal or family history of diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol/triglyceride levels.

- - - May make you dizzy or drowsy. Do do any activity that requires attentiveness until you are ready to safely perform these acitivities. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
    - May make you sweat less making you more prone to getting heat stroke
    - If you are planning to be pregnant or think you may be pregnant, discuss the risks and benefits of use with your doctor.
      - Babies born to mothers who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may infrequently develop symptoms including:
        
        Muscle stiffness or shakiness, drowsiness, feeding/breathing difficulties, or constant crying.
        
        If your newborn has any of these symptoms especially within their first month, consult your doctor immediately.
      - Consult your doctor before breast-feeding as this medication passes into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects on your baby
    Interactions:
    
    Taking multiple drugs may affect how medications work and/or cause unwanted side effects. List down all the medications you are taking and inform your physician and pharmacist. Do not take, discontinue, or alter any dose of medications without prior approval of your physician.
    - Products that may interact with this medication Include:
      - Metoclopramide
    - Products which cause drowsiness
      - Alcohol
      - Antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine)
      - Drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem)
      - Muscle relaxants
    Narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine).

Overdose & Brands

Overdose:

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Notes

Do not take this medication unless prescribed by your physician

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and As soon as you remember, take a regular dose or if the time of the next dose is near, wait for it before taking another dose and resume your usual schedule. Do not increase the dose to compensate for the missed dose.

Storage

Room temperature
Do not expose to light and moisture
Do not store in the bathroom
Keep all medications away from pets and children

Brands:

Available Brands:

Lupilan [ Multicare ]

Olan [ Brown & Burk Phils ]

Olandus [ Zydus Healthcare Phils ]

Olandus 5 [ Zydus Healthcare Phils ]

Olanzapro [ InnoGen Pharmaceuticals ]

Olavex 5/Olavex 10 [ VE Pharma ]

Oleanz ODT-10 [ Sun Pharma ] Olzadin [ MedChoice Pharma ]

Tolanz 5/Tolanz 10 [ Torrent ]

Zyprexa/Zyprexa Zydis [ Eli Lilly ]

Also marketed as:

Epilanz-10 [ XL Lab ]

Exzapine [ Stallion Labs ]

Zanprex-5/Zanprex-10 [ Shine Pharma ]

Zapinex [ Bene Medica Pharma ]

Zeprex [ Intas ]