Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Constipation

Dry mouth

A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)

Blood disorders

High blood glucose level (hyperglycaemia)

Abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash (photosensitivity)

Alteration in results of liver function tests

Dizziness

Abnormal movements of the hands, legs, face, neck and tongue, eg tremor, twitching, rigidity (extrapyramidal effects)

Excessive fluid retention in the body tissues, resulting in swelling (oedema)

Slow heart rate (bradycardia)

Sleepiness (somnolence)

Weakness or loss of strength (asthenia)

Increased appetite and weight gain

Patients with Alzheimer's disease may have trouble walking

Anxiety, restlessness and agitation (akathisia)

High blood prolactin (milk producing hormone) level (hyperprolactinaemia). Rarely this may lead to symptoms such as breast enlargement, production of milk and menstrual disturbances.

Raised blood triglyceride levels

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

The following medicines may increase the blood level of olanzapine: - fluvoxamine - ciprofloxacin. Carbamazepine may decrease the blood level of olanzapine. Activated charcoal, used to treat indigestion and wind, can decrease the absorption of olanzapine from the gut. If you are taking both medicines, the activated charcoal should be taken at least two hours before or after the olanzapine. There may be an increased risk of side effects such as tremor, dry mouth, increased appetite, weight gain or speech disorder if olanzapine is taken with lithium or valproate. Olanzapine may oppose the effects of certain medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease (dopamine agonists). There may be an increased risk of drowsiness and sedation if olanzapine is taken with any of the following (which can also cause drowsiness): - alcohol - tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline - narcotics, eg morphine, codeine - benzodiazepines, eg diazepam - sedating antihistamines, eg chlorpheniramine - sleeping tablets. There may be an increased risk of abnormal heart rhythms (prolonged QT interval on the heart monitoring trace or ECG) if olanzapine is taken with any of the following medicines: - antiarrhythmics, eg amiodarone, procainamide, disopyramide, sotalol - antidepressants, eg amitriptyline, imipramine, maprotiline - the anthistamines astemizole (no longer available in the UK) or terfenadine - antimalarials, eg halofantrine, chloroquine, quinine - antipsychotics, eg thioridazine, chlorpromazine, sertindole, haloperidol - intravenous erythromycin or pentamidine - cisapride. There may be an increased risk of liver side effects if olanzapine is taken with medicines that may have adverse effects on the liver. There may be an increased risk of a drop in white blood cell count if olanzapine is taken with other medicines that may have this adverse effect, in particular valproate.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredients

Zyprexa

<<Go To Page 1

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved