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Medication Guide

ZYPREXA®
(zy-PREX-a)
(olanzapine) Tablet

ZYPREXA (olanzapine) ® ZYDIS®
(zy-PREX-a ZY-dis)
(olanzapine) Tablet, Orally Disintegrating

Read the Medication Guide that comes with ZYPREXA (olanzapine) before you start taking it and each time you get a refill.There may be new information. This Medication Guide does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your medical condition or treatment. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if there is something you do not understand or you want to learn more about ZYPREXA (olanzapine) .

What is the most important information I should know about ZYPREXA (olanzapine) ?

Serious side effects may happen when you take ZYPREXA (olanzapine) , including:

Increased risk of death in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis: Medicines like ZYPREXA (olanzapine) can raise the risk of death in elderly people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia). ZYPREXA (olanzapine) is not approved for treating psychosis in the elderly with dementia.

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia): High blood sugar can happen if you have diabetes already or even if you have never had diabetes. In rare cases, this could lead to ketoacidosis (build up of acid in the blood due to ketones), coma, or death. Your doctor should do lab tests to check your blood sugar before you start taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) and during treatment. In people who do not have diabetes, sometimes high blood sugar goes away when ZYPREXA (olanzapine) is stopped. People with diabetes and some people who did not have diabetes before taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) need to take medicine for high blood sugar even after they stop taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) .

If you have diabetes, follow your doctor&'s instructions about how often to check your blood sugar while taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) .

Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) while taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) :

• feel very thirsty
• need to urinate more than usual
• feel very hungry
• feel weak or tired
• feel sick to your stomach
• feel confused, or your breath smells fruity.

High cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood (fat in the blood) may happen in people treated with ZYPREXA (olanzapine) , especially in teenagers (13-17 years old). You may not have any symptoms, so your doctor should do blood tests to check your cholesterol and triglyceride levels before you start taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) and during treatment.

Increase in weight (weight gain): Weight gain is very common in people who take ZYPREXA (olanzapine) . Teenagers (13-17 years old) are more likely to gain weight and to gain more weight than adults. Some people may gain a lot of weight while taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) , so you and your doctor should check your weight regularly. Talk to your doctor about ways to control weight gain, such as eating a healthy, balanced diet, and exercising.

Increased risk in teenagers (13-17 years old): Possible serious risks of weight gain and increases in cholesterol and triglycerides are more common in teenagers than in adults. You and your doctor should decide if other available treatments should be used first. Before your teenager takes ZYPREXA (olanzapine) , talk with your doctor about the possible long-term risks of teenagers taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) .

What is ZYPREXA (olanzapine) ?

ZYPREXA (olanzapine) is a prescription medicine used to treat:

• schizophrenia in people age 13 or older.
• bipolar disorder, including:
  • manic or mixed episodes that happen with bipolar I disorder in people age 13 or older.
  • manic or mixed episodes that happen with bipolar I disorder, when used with the medicine lithium or valproate, in adults.
  • long-term treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults.
• episodes of depression that happen with bipolar I disorder, when used with the medicine fluoxetine (Prozac®), in adults.
• episodes of depression that do not get better after 2 other medicines, also called treatment resistant depression, when used with the medicine fluoxetine (Prozac), in adults.

ZYPREXA (olanzapine) has not been approved for use in children under 13 years of age. The symptoms of schizophrenia include hearing voices, seeing things that are not there, having beliefs that are not true, and being suspicious or withdrawn. The symptoms of bipolar I disorder include alternating periods of depression and high or irritable mood, increased activity and restlessness, racing thoughts, talking fast, impulsive behavior, and a decreased need for sleep. The symptoms of treatment resistant depression include decreased mood, decreased interest, increased guilty feelings, decreased energy, decreased concentration, changes in appetite, and suicidal thoughts or behavior. Some of your symptoms may improve with treatment. If you do not think you are getting better, call your doctor.

What should I tell my doctor before taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) ?

ZYPREXA (olanzapine) may not be right for you. Before starting ZYPREXA (olanzapine) , tell your doctor if you have or had:

• heart problems
• seizures
• diabetes or high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia)
• high cholesterol or triglyceride levels in your blood
• liver problems
• low or high blood pressure
• strokes or "mini-strokes" also called transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)
• Alzheimer's disease
• narrow-angle glaucoma
• enlarged prostate in men
• bowel obstruction
• phenylketonuria, because ZYPREXA (olanzapine) ZYDIS contains phenylalanine
• breast cancer
• thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself
• any other medical condition
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ZYPREXA (olanzapine) will harm your unborn baby.
• are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. ZYPREXA (olanzapine) can pass into your breast milk and may harm your baby. You should not breast-feed while taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) . Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take ZYPREXA (olanzapine) .

Tell your doctor if you exercise a lot or are in hot places often.

The symptoms of bipolar I disorder, treatment resistant depression, or schizophrenia may include thoughts of suicide or of hurting yourself or others. If you have these thoughts at any time, tell your doctor or go to an emergency room right away.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines that you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. ZYPREXA (olanzapine) and some medicines may interact with each other and may not work as well, or cause possible serious side effects. Your doctor can tell you if it is safe to take ZYPREXA (olanzapine) with your other medicines. Do not start or stop any medicine while taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) without talking to your doctor first.

How should I take ZYPREXA (olanzapine) ?

• Take ZYPREXA (olanzapine) exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may need to change (adjust) the dose of ZYPREXA (olanzapine) until it is right for you.
• If you miss a dose of ZYPREXA (olanzapine) , take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, just skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of ZYPREXA (olanzapine) at the same time.
• To prevent serious side effects, do not stop taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) suddenly. If you need to stop taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) , your doctor can tell you how to safely stop taking it.
• If you take too much ZYPREXA (olanzapine) , call your doctor or poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 right away, or get emergency treatment.
• ZYPREXA (olanzapine) can be taken with or without food.
• ZYPREXA (olanzapine) is usually taken one time each day.
• Take ZYPREXA (olanzapine) ZYDIS as follows:
  • Be sure that your hands are dry.
  • Open the sachet and peel back the foil on the blister. Do not push the tablet through the foil.
  • As soon as you open the blister, remove the tablet and put it into your mouth.
  • The tablet will disintegrate quickly in your saliva so that you can easily swallow it with or without drinking liquid.
• Call your doctor if you do not think you are getting better or have any concerns about your condition while taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) .

What should I avoid while taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) ?

• ZYPREXA (olanzapine) can cause sleepiness and may affect your ability to make decisions, think clearly, or react quickly. You should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how ZYPREXA (olanzapine) affects you.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) . Drinking alcohol while you take ZYPREXA (olanzapine) may make you sleepier than if you take ZYPREXA (olanzapine) alone.

What are the possible side effects of ZYPREXA (olanzapine) ?

Serious side effects may happen when you take ZYPREXA (olanzapine) , including:

• See "What is the most important information I should know about ZYPREXA (olanzapine) ?", which describes the increased risk of death in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis and the risks of high blood sugar, high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and weight gain.
• Increased incidence of stroke or "mini-strokes" called transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis (elderly people who have lost touch with reality due toconfusion and memory loss). ZYPREXA (olanzapine) is not approved for these patients.
• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS): NMS is a rare but very serious condition that can happen inpeople who take antipsychotic medicines, including ZYPREXA (olanzapine) . NMS can cause death and must be treated in a hospital. Call your doctor right away if you become severely ill and have any of these symptoms:
• high fever
• excessive sweating
• rigid muscles
• confusion
• changes in your breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure.
• Tardive Dyskinesia: This condition causes body movements that keep happening and that you can not control. These movements usually affect the face and tongue. Tardive dyskinesia may not go away, even if you stop taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) . It may also start after you stop taking ZYPREXA (olanzapine) . Tell your doctor if you get any body movements that you can not control.
• Decreased blood pressure when you change positions, with symptoms of dizziness, fast or slowheartbeat, or fainting.
• Difficulty swallowing, that can cause food or liquid to get into your lungs.
• Seizures: Tell your doctor if you have a seizure during treatment with ZYPREXA (olanzapine) .
• Problems with control of body temperature: You could become very hot, for instance when you exercise a lot or stay in an area that is very hot. It is important for you to drink water to avoid dehydration. Call your doctor right away if you become severely ill and have any of these symptoms of dehydration:
  • sweating too much or not at all
  • dry mouth
  • feeling very hot
  • feeling thirsty
  • not able to produce urine.

Common side effects of ZYPREXA (olanzapine) include: lack of energy, dry mouth, increased appetite, sleepiness, tremor(shakes), having hard or infrequent stools, dizziness, changes in behavior, or restlessness.

Other common side effects in teenagers (13-17 years old) include: headache, stomach-area (abdominal) pain, pain in your arms or legs, or tiredness. Teenagers experienced greater increases in prolactin, liver enzymes, and sleepiness, as compared with adults. Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects with ZYPREXA (olanzapine) . For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store ZYPREXA (olanzapine) ?

• Store ZYPREXA (olanzapine) at room temperature, between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
• Keep ZYPREXA (olanzapine) away from light.
• Keep ZYPREXA (olanzapine) dry and away from moisture.

Keep ZYPREXA (olanzapine) and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about ZYPREXA (olanzapine)

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use ZYPREXA (olanzapine) for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give ZYPREXA (olanzapine) to other people, even if they have the same condition. It may harm them.

This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about ZYPREXA (olanzapine) . If you would like moreinformation, talk with your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about ZYPREXA (olanzapine) that was written for healthcare professionals. For more information about ZYPREXA (olanzapine) call 1-800-Lilly-Rx (1-800-545-5979) or visit www.zyprexa (olanzapine) .com.

What are the ingredients in ZYPREXA?

Active ingredient: olanzapine

Inactive ingredients: Tablets - carnauba wax, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and other inactive ingredients. The color coating contains: Titanium Dioxide, FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake, or Synthetic Red Iron Oxide.

ZYDIS - gelatin, mannitol, aspartame, sodium methyl paraben, and sodium propyl paraben.

This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Last reviewed on RxList: 1/18/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.