Common uses

This medication is used to treat certain mental/mood conditions (schizophrenia, bipolar mania). It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters).
Some of the benefits of continued use of this medication include feeling less nervous, better concentration, and reduced episodes of hallucinations.

Before using

Zyprexa is not for use in psychotic conditions that are related to dementia. Zyprexa has caused fatal heart attack and stroke in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
Before taking Zyprexa, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems;
• high cholesterol or triglycerides;
• a history of heart attack or stroke;
• a history of breast cancer;
• seizures or epilepsy;
• a personal or family history of diabetes;
• an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating;
• glaucoma; or
• trouble swallowing.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Zyprexa, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Zyprexa may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Symptoms include increased thirst, loss of appetite, increased urination, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dry skin, and dry mouth. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking Zyprexa.

Directions

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Zyprexa can be taken with or without food.
Zyprexa is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
To take olanzapine orally disintegrating tablets (Zyprexa Zydis):
• Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.
• Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.
• Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.
• Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

Cautions

Zyprexa is not for use in psychotic conditions that are related to dementia. Zyprexa has caused fatal heart attack and stroke in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
Zyprexa may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Symptoms include increased thirst, loss of appetite, increased urination, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dry skin, and dry mouth. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking Zyprexa.
It may take up to 4 weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks of treatment. Zyprexa can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Zyprexa. Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by Zyprexa. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines. Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking Zyprexa.

Possible side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Zyprexa and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
• fever, stiff muscles, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats;
• jerky muscle movements you cannot control;
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• increased thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, or weakness;
• feeling light-headed, fainting;
• unusual thoughts or behavior, hallucinations, or thoughts about hurting yourself; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
• dizziness, drowsiness, or weakness;
• constipation;
• dry mouth;
• swelling in your hands or feet;
• back pain;
• weight gain, increased appetite; or
• upset stomach.

If you take too much

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, agitation, aggression, slurred speech, confusion, increased heart rate, jerky or uncontrolled muscle movements, trouble breathing, or fainting.

Additional information

In rare instances, this medication may increase your blood level of a certain hormone (prolactin). For females, this rare increase in prolactin levels may result in unwanted breast milk, the menstrual period stopping, or difficulty becoming pregnant. For males, it may result in decreased sexual ability, inability to produce sperm, or enlarged breasts. If you develop any of these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately.
For males, in the very unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could occur.
A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug interactions

Before taking Zyprexa, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
• a medication to treat high blood pressure or a heart condition;
• carbamazepine (Tegretol);
• fluvoxamine (Luvox); or
• a medication to treat Parkinson's disease including levodopa (Sinemet, Larodopa, Atamet), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), pramipexole (Mirapex), ropinirole (Requip), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Zyprexa. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.