Anti Depressants
Product Description
Zyprexa, Zydis (Olanzapine)
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM : Olanzapine is a drug that is appointed for the treatment of schizophrenia and acute manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. Olanzapine is in a class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics. Other medicines of this class are clozapine (Clozaril), risperidone (Risperdal), aripiprazole (Abilify) and ziprasidone (Geodon). The exact mechanism of action of olanzapine is unknown. It may acts by blocking receptors for several neurotransmitters (chemicals that nerves use to communicate with each other) in the brain. It makes a bundle of alpha-1, dopamine, histamine H-1, muscarinic, and serotonin type 2 (5-HT2) receptors. Olanzapine was approved by the FDA in 1996.
GENERIC AVAILABLE : No.
PRESCRIPTION : YES.
PREPARATIONS : Tablets: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20 mg. Intramuscular Injection: 10 mg vial.
STORAGE : Tablets should be stored at room temperature, 20-25°C (68-77°F).
PRESCRIBED FOR : Olanzapine is applied for treatment of schizophrenia and acute mixed, or manic episodes
associated with bipolar disorder. It is also appointed as maintenance therapy for bipolar disorder and treating agitation caused by
schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
DOSING : The usual dose for the treatment schizophrenia is 10 mg once daily. The medicine should be accepted orally. Therapy is started with 5-10 mg/day and the dose may be extended by 5 mg a day in weekly intervals. There were no reports about better efficiency in case of using doses greater than 10 mg a day. The safety and efficacy of doses greater than 20 mg daily have not been apprised. The usual started dose for the treatment of bipolar disorder is 10-15 mg once a day. The medicine should be accepted orally. The dose may be extended by 5 mg daily at 24 hour intervals. Doses greater than 20 mg daily have not been apprised. In clinical reserches, doses of 5-20 mg daily were effective. The usual dose for the treatment of agitation caused by schizophrenia or bipolar disorder is 10 mg administered by intramuscular injection. Additional 10 mg doses may be administered, but the efficacy of total daily doses greater than 30 mg daily have not been adequately apprised.
DRUG INTERACTIONS : Carbamazepine (Tegretol) can decrease blood concentrations of olanzapine, that's why it may be needed to increase doses of olanzapine. Other drugs with such effect are omeprazole (Prilosec) and rifampin. Smoking may also decrease blood concentrations of olanzapine. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), diltiazem (Cardizem; Dilacor; Tiazac), erythromycin, and fluvoxamine (Luvox) may extend blood levels of olanzapine and the dose of olanzapine may need to be decreased. Olanzapine can lead to orthostatic hypotension, a drop in blood pressure upon rising that may result in dizziness or even fainting. In case of using olanzapine with either diazepam (Valium), other similar benzodiazepines or alcohol can exaggerate the orthostatic hypotension caused by olanzapine.
PREGNANCY : Olanzapine hasn't been adequatly studied in pregnant women. Olanzapine should only be applied in pregnant women if the advantages outweigh the unknown risks.
NURSING MOTHERS : Olanzapine has excretion to breast milk, that's why olanzapine should't be accepted by nursing mothers.
SIDE EFFECTS : Side effects include akathisia (an inability to sit still), constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, dry mouth, orthostatic hypotension (see DRUG INTERACTIONS), tremor, and weight gain. Olanzapine may cause several disorders of movement, for example, extrapyramidal effects (sudden, often jerky, involuntary motions of the head, neck, arms, body, or eyes). Tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movements of the mouth, tongue, jaw, or eyelids) also may appear in 1 in 100 patients consuming olanzapine. Some cases can be irreversible. The probability of developing tardive dyskinesia extends with prolonged treatment. Like other antipsychotic medications, olanzapine may extend risk of increased blood sugar levels and diabetes. Patients should be tested during treatment for elevated blood sugar. Additionally, persons with risk factors for diabetes, including obesity or a family history of diabetes, should make tests on blood sugar levels before starting treatment and periodically throughout treatment to detect the onset of diabetes. Any patient developing symptoms that suggest diabetes during treatment should be tested for diabetes
