Brand Name: Zyprexa
Generic Name: Olanzapine

Olanzapine

(oh-LAN-za-peen)

NEWLY DISCOVERED USES (OFF-LABEL)
Alzheimer’s disease, autism, borderline personality disorder, Huntington’s disease

ORIGINAL USES (ON-LABEL)
Treatment of schizophrenia and acute mania episodes associated with bipolar disorder

BRAND NAME
Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis

DRUG CLASS
Atypical antipsychotic

DESCRIPTION
This drug affects multiple neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin, dopamine, and histamine.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Headache, somnolence, insomnia, agitation, nervousness, dizziness, upset stomach, constipation, weight gain, increased blood glucose, weakness, sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, increased heart rate, peripheral edema, uncontrolled muscle movements, parkinsonian events, amnesia, euphoria, rash, bruising, dry mouth, joint ache, neck rigidity, twitching, increased triglycerides/cholesterol levels, increased glucose levels, liver toxicity.

CAUTIONS

• May worsen narrow-angle glaucoma, or myasthenia gravis.
• Has demonstrated increased mortality in elderly patients when used for off-label treatment of dementia in elderly patients.
• Notify your doctor if you plan to become pregnant, if you have heart disease; cerebrovascular disease or conditions that predispose to low blood pressure, history of seizures, thyroid disease, liver disease, increased cholesterol or triglycerides levels, diabetes.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a potentially fatal complex, has been reported with antipsychotic drugs. Report any of the following symptoms to your doctor immediately: fever, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, irregular heart rate, increased heart rate.
• Has been reported to cause significant increases in blood glucose levels, causing diabetes that requires treatment.
• May disrupt regulation of body temperature. Avoid dehydration, particularly during strenuous exercise or extreme heat.
• Patients with bipolar depression/schizophrenia may be at increased risk of suicidial thinking.

DRUG INTERACTIONS
This drug is metabolized by a specific set of liver enzymes. Several other drugs interfere with these liver enzymes, and thus may increase or decrease the clearance of olanzapine from the body, potentially increasing the risk of side effects or decreasing effectiveness. When these drugs are given in combination with olanzapine, dosage adjustments may be needed. As these are too numerous to list, you should always check with your doctor or pharmacist prior to starting a new medication, herbal, or nonprescription product.

FOOD INTERACTIONS
Avoid alcohol; it may increase sedation.

HERBAL INTERACTIONS
Dong quai, St. John’s wort, kava kava, gotu kola, valerian

PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING CAUTIONS
FDA Pregnancy Risk Category C. Excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed during therapy.

SPECIAL INFORMATION
This drug has a black box warning describing the risk of increased mortality when the drug has been used for off-label treatment of dementia in the elderly.