olanzapine

Brand names: Olanzapine

# Olanzapine: What You Should Know Olanzapine is a medication used to treat serious mental health conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It works by helping to balance certain chemicals in the brain that affect mood, thoughts, and behavior. This medicine can help reduce symptoms like hallucinations, confusion, and extreme mood swings. Doctors prescribe it when other treatments haven't worked well enough or when someone needs stronger help managing their condition. Like all medications, olanzapine comes with important safety information you need to know. You should avoid mixing it with alcohol or certain other drugs, as this combination can cause dizziness and difficulty standing up. Tell your doctor about all medicines you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, because some can interfere with how olanzapine works. It's also important to have regular check-ups while taking this medicine and to follow your doctor's dosage instructions carefully. If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing a baby, talk to your doctor before using olanzapine, as it may affect your baby.

Known Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS The risks of using olanzapine in combination with other drugs have not been extensively evaluated in systematic studies. Diazepam: May potentiate orthostatic hypotension. ( 7.1 , 7.2 ) Alcohol: May potentiate orthostatic hypotension. ( 7.1 ) Carbamazepine: Increased clearance of olanzapine. ( 7.1 ) Fluvoxamine: May increase olanzapine levels. ( 7.1 ) Olanzapine and Fluoxetine in Combination: Also refer to the Drug Interactions section of the package insert for Symbyax. ( 7.1 ) CNS Acting Drugs: Caution should be used when taken in combination with other centrally acting drugs and alcohol. ( 7.2 ) Antihypertensive Agents: Enhanced antihypertensive effect. ( 7.2 ) Levodopa and Dopamine Agonists: May antagonize levodopa/dopamine agonists. ( 7.2 ) Other Concomitant Drug Therapy: When using olanzapine in combination with lithium or valproate, refer to the Drug Interactions sections of the package insert for those products. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Potential for Other Drugs to Affect

Source: FDA-approved drug labeling via openFDA

Most Reported Side Effects (FAERS)

  • DRUG INEFFECTIVE7,170 reports
  • WEIGHT INCREASED6,805 reports
  • OFF LABEL USE5,962 reports
  • DIABETES MELLITUS5,394 reports
  • DRUG INTERACTION4,067 reports
  • SOMNOLENCE3,996 reports
  • TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS3,984 reports
  • NAUSEA3,903 reports
  • FATIGUE3,500 reports
  • ANXIETY3,440 reports

Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Voluntary reports do not establish causation.

Check interactions with olanzapine:

SafeCheck provides drug interaction information from FDA-approved product labeling (openFDA). This is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.