ZyPREXA

1 What is ZyPREXA?

Brand: ZyPREXA, ZyPREXA Zydis

Generic: Olanzapine

ZyPREXA is an atypical antipsychotic drug used for the treatment of nervous, emotional, and mental conditions.

This drug may also be used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat bipolar disorder or mania that is part of bipolar disorder.

This drug is contraindicated for use in treating behavioral problems in older adult patients who have dementia or Alzheimer's disease. This drug requires a prescription.

2 What to Know Before Using

Before using ZyPREXA, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.

Inform your healthcare provider for any allergic reactions to these drugs or any other drugs, foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. Carefully read the label of non-prescription drugs for any possible allergic reaction or contraindications.

Studies in teenagers 13 to 17 years of age regarding the correlation of age to the effects of olanzapine injection have not been performed while safety and efficacy in children younger than 13 years of age have not been established.

Studies in the elderly have not demonstrated any geriatric-specific problems that would limit the utility of olanzapine injection. Adjustments in the dose of the elderly may be required since they are more likely to have dementia or age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems.

Adverse effects have been reported in animal studies but studies in pregnant women or animals are still inadequate. Infant risk is still undetermined when using this drug during breastfeeding. Discuss with your healthcare professional about the potential risks and benefits before of taking this drug while breastfeeding.

Drugs should not be taken together to prevent any interactions but in necessary cases inquire your healthcare provider regarding the adjustments in dosage or any other necessary precautions to prevent any unwanted side effects.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other drugs such as:

  • Amifampridine
  • Bepridil
  • Cisapride
  • Dronedarone
  • Levomethadyl
  • Mesoridazine
  • Metoclopramide
  • Pimozide
  • Piperaquine
  • Saquinavir
  • Sparfloxacin
  • Terfenadine
  • Thioridazine
  • Ziprasidone
  • Amiodarone
  • Anagrelide
  • Aripiprazole
  • Arsenic Trioxide
  • Bromazepam
  • Buprenorphine
  • Buserelin
  • Carbamazepine
  • Clarithromycin
  • Clomipramine
  • Crizotinib
  • Dabrafenib
  • Degarelix
  • Delamanid
  • Deslorelin
  • Diazepam
  • Donepezil
  • Escitalopram
  • Fentanyl
  • Flibanserin
  • Fluoxetine
  • Gonadorelin
  • Goserelin
  • Histrelin
  • Hydrocodone
  • Hydromorphone
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Ivabradine
  • Ketoconazole
  • Leuprolide
  • Levofloxacin
  • Lithium
  • Lorazepam
  • Methadone
  • Metronidazole
  • Midazolam
  • Milnacipran
  • Mirtazapine
  • Morphine
  • Morphine Sulfate Liposome
  • Moxifloxacin
  • Nafarelin
  • Ondansetron
  • Oxycodone
  • Oxymorphone
  • Panobinostat
  • Pasireotide
  • Pazopanib
  • Pixantrone
  • Quetiapine
  • Sevoflurane
  • Suvorexant
  • Tacrolimus
  • Tapentadol
  • Tetrabenazine
  • Tramadol
  • Triptorelin
  • Vandetanib
  • Vemurafenib
  • Vinflunine
  • Amprenavir
  • Betel Nut
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Fluvoxamine
  • Fosamprenavir
  • Haloperidol
  • Ritonavir
  • Valproic Acid

Intake of specific food or using alcohol or tobacco with this drug is associated with an increased risk of certain side effects.

Your healthcare professional can give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Inform your healthcare professional if you have any other medical problems such as:

3 Proper Usage

To use ZyPREXA properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. Make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet if you are using the orally disintegrating tablet (ZyprexaВ® ZydisВ®). Only open the blister pack that contains the tablet if you are ready to take it.

The tablet must be removed from the blister pack by peeling back the foil, then taking the tablet out. Pushing the tablet through the foil is not recommended.

The tablet should melt quickly after being placed in your mouth. Swallow or take a sip of water after the tablet has melted.

You can take this drug with or without food. Inform your healthcare professional if you smoke tobacco, as you might need a different amount of this drug if you smoke.

The dose of this drug will be variable for different patients. The directions on the label or the prescription by your healthcare professional should be followed.

The dosage of this drug you take depends on the medical problem for which you are using this drug. Adults with schizophrenia are initially given 5 to 10 milligrams once a day.

Your healthcare professional may adjust your dose if needed. The dose must not exceed 20 mg per day. Teenagers and children 13 to 17 years of age are initially given 2.5 or 5 milligrams once a day.

Your healthcare professional may adjust your dose if needed. The dose must not exceed 20 mg per day. Use and dose in children younger than 13 years of age must be determined by your healthcare professional.

Adults with bipolar disorder are initially given 5 to 15 milligrams once a day. Your healthcare professional may adjust your dose if needed. The dose must not exceed 20 mg per day.

Teenagers and children 13 to 17 years of age are initially given 2.5 or 5 milligrams once a day. Your healthcare professional may adjust your dose if needed. The dose must not exceed 20 mg per day.

Use and dose in children younger than 13 years of age must be determined by your healthcare professional. Adults with mania and bipolar disorder are given 10 to 15 milligrams once a day.

Your healthcare professional may adjust your dose if needed. The dose must not exceed 20 mg per day. Teenagers and children 13 to 17 years of age are initially given 2.5 or 5 milligrams once a day.

Your healthcare professional may adjust your dose if needed. The dose must not exceed 20 mg per day. Use and dose in children younger than 13 years of age must be determined by your healthcare professional.

A missed dose should be taken as soon as possible. However, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule if it is almost time for your next dose.

Store the drug in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children.

Dispose any outdated or expired drugs and ask your healthcare professional for the proper disposal of the drugs.

4 Precautions to Take

Before using ZyPREXA, there are some precautions you must take. Regular visits should be made to your healthcare provider to track your progress and to monitor the effectiveness of the drug. Unwanted effects can be screened using blood tests.

This drug can increase thoughts of suicide. Inform your healthcare professional immediately if you start to feel more depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself, unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you.

Inform your healthcare professional if you have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, start to act reckless, have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared.

Inform your healthcare professional if you or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder or has tried to commit suicide. The cholesterol and fats levels in your blood may be increased by this drug.

You will be given drugs that can lower the amount of cholesterol and fats in the blood if this happens. Your healthcare professional will monitor your weight regularly during treatment with this drug, as weight changes have been reported with the use of this drug.

This drug may increase the amount of sugar in your blood. Check with your healthcare professional immediately if you have increased thirst or increased urination.

If you have diabetes, you may notice a change in the results of your urine or blood sugar tests.

Check with your healthcare professional immediately if you have any symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome such as:

  • convulsions
  • the difficulty with breathing
  • a fast heartbeat
  • a high fever
  • high or low blood pressure
  • increased sweating
  • loss of bladder control
  • severe muscle stiffness
  • unusually pale skin
  • tiredness

Check with your healthcare professional immediately if you have any symptoms of tardive dyskinesia such as lip smacking or puckering, puffing of the cheeks, rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue, uncontrolled chewing movements, or uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs.

Olanzapine injection may cause drowsiness, trouble with thinking, trouble with controlling body movements, or trouble with your vision.

Be careful in taking this drug before you drive, use machines, or do other jobs that require you to be alert, well-coordinated, or able to think or see well.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help.

This drug may cause post-injection delirium/sedation syndrome which can manifest as convulsions, dizziness, drowsiness, sleepiness, or confusion as to time, place, or person after receiving the injection.

This drug can temporarily cause leukopenia which can increase the chance of getting an infection. It is recommended to avoid people with infections.

Check with your healthcare professional immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.

This drug may potentiate the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system depressants such as antihistamines or drugs for allergies or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping drugs, prescription pain drugs or narcotics, drugs for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics.

You might get overheated while using this drug. It is recommended to increase fluid intake during hot weather, while exercising, or while using a hot tub or sauna.

You might feel dizzy, weak, tired, or confused when you are dehydrated. You might have an upset stomach or vomit.

Call your healthcare professional if drinking cool water and moving away from the heat does not cool you down. Intake of alcohol is not recommended while you are receiving this drug.

Consult with your healthcare professional before taking any other prescription or nonprescription drugs, and herbal or vitamin supplements.

5 Potential Side Effects

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with ZyPREXA. Side effects may vary for each individual and prompt medical attention should be given if they occur.

Seek advice from your healthcare professional immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms such as:

  • bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs or feet
  • blurred vision
  • change in vision
  • change in walking and balance
  • clumsiness or unsteadiness
  • the difficulty with speaking
  • the difficulty with swallowing
  • drooling
  • impaired vision
  • inability to sit still
  • loss of balance control
  • mask-like face
  • muscle trembling, jerking or stiffness, need to keep moving
  • rapid weight gain
  • restlessness
  • shakiness in the legs, arms, hands or feet
  • shuffling walk
  • slowed movements
  • slurred speech
  • the stiffness of the arms and legs
  • tic-like movements of the head, face, mouth, and neck
  • tingling of the hands or feet
  • trembling or shaking of the fingers, hands or feet
  • twisting movements of the body
  • uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
  • unusual weight gains or loss
  • bladder pain
  • bloody or cloudy urine
  • bruising
  • burning
  • crawling
  • itching
  • numbness
  • prickling
  • "pins and needles" or tingling feelings
  • chest pain
  • difficult or labored breathing
  • difficult, burning or painful urination
  • dizziness
  • excessive muscle tone
  • frequent urge to urinate
  • headache
  • inability to move the eyes
  • increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
  • itching of the vagina or genital area
  • lack of coordination
  • large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin
  • loss of bladder control
  • loss of memory
  • lower back or side pain
  • muscle tension or tightness
  • nervousness
  • pain, redness and swelling at the site of the injection
  • pounding in the ears
  • problems with memory
  • rhythmic movement of the muscles
  • shortness of breath
  • slow, fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  • speaking is less clear than usual
  • sticking out the tongue
  • thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
  • tightness in the chest
  • trouble with breathing, speaking or swallowing
  • twitching, uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms or legs
  • unusual or incomplete body or facial movement
  • the weakness of the arms and legs
  • wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine, the side effects will slowly disappear. Ask your healthcare professional about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

If any of the following side effects persists or are inconvenient, or if you notice any other effects, or if you have any questions about them, consult with your health care professional. Report any side effects to the FDA hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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