VERIFIED CONTENTAuthor: Karolina Porowska

Olanzapine - it is an organic chemical compound, a derivative of thienobenzodiazepine. This substance has antipsychotic properties. The olanzapine molecule was discovered in 1982 in Great Britain by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company, and in 1996 the drug was marketed in the United States. The drug can be purchased on prescription in the form of tablets.

Olanzapine composition

Tablet (Olanzapine Mylan, 5mg / 10mg / 15mg / 20mg) contains the active ingredient:

  • olanzapine (Olanzapinum);
  • excipients: mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose and Guar gum (Avicel CE 15), crospovidone (Type A), magnesium stearate, colloidal anhydrous silica Aspartame (E 951), sodium laurilsulfate.

Action of olanzapine

Olanzapine is an antipsychotic, antimanic and mood stabilizing drug. Olanzapine is distinguished by its antimuscarinic (anti-M1) and strong antihistamine (anti-H1) properties.

Shows affinity for D2 and 5-HT2A receptors, with relatively weaker affinity for D2. It has significant affinity for serotonin 5HT2A, 5HT2C, 5HT3 and 5HT6 receptors and mesolimbic dopaminergic receptors.

It has the properties of activating the c-fos transcription factor in the prefrontal cortex, which may be related to its beneficial effect on negative symptoms of mental diseases.

Use of olanzapine

Olanzapine has been used in the treatment of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression), in the treatment of illnesses with symptoms of agitation or euphoria.

Indications for the use of olanzapine

Olanzapine is indicated for the treatment of adult schizophrenia for the treatment of manic episode for the prevention of relapse in patients with bipolar disorder.

Contraindications to the use of olanzapine

Do not use the drug if you are allergic to olanzapine and to any of the modules listed in the composition of the drug. Administration of the drug is not recommended in patients with known risk of narrow-angle glaucoma.

Dosage of olanzapine

The drug should be used as described in the patient information leaflet or as specifiedguidelines and recommendations of your doctor or pharmacist. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Precautions

Special care should be taken when using the drug in elderly patients, diagnosed with dementia, in people with a family history of thromboembolism, as the use of these drugs may lead to the formation of blood clots.

In addition, caution should be exercised in patients with:

  • diabetic,
  • heart disease,
  • electrolyte imbalance,
  • kidney and liver diseases,
  • Parkinson's disease,
  • convulsions,
  • enlarged prostate,
  • intestinal obstruction,
  • blood diseases with low white blood cells.

You should also exercise caution before administering the drug if you have a stroke, smoke cigarettes, or abuse alcohol and take psychotropic drugs.

Olanzapine side effects

Olanzapine may cause allergic reactions. The reported drug-induced ailments include:

  • allergic skin reaction,
  • hives
  • and facial swelling,
  • lip swelling,
  • tongue swelling
  • or throat swelling.

In addition, the drug may contribute to:

  • weight gain,
  • sleepiness,
  • increasing the concentration of prolactin in the blood,
  • dizziness,
  • fainting,
  • changes in the number of certain blood cells,
  • increase blood sugar and urine sugar,
  • feelings of hunger,
  • anxiety,
  • tremors,
  • movement disorders (dyskinesia),
  • constipation,
  • dry mouth,
  • rashes,
  • loss of strength,
  • extreme fatigue and others.

Interaction with other drugs and diseases

In order to avoid undesirable ailments, inform your doctor or pharmacist about all medications that are currently or recently used, as well as about medications that the patient is going to use.

You should also inform your doctor about your current he alth condition, about any diseases or additional ailments you are struggling with.

Olanzapine is not recommended to be combined with:

  • drugs for Parkinson's disease,
  • antidepressants,
  • anxiolytics,
  • carbamazepine,
  • fluvoxamine,
  • ciprofloxacin,
  • antiarrhythmic drugs,
  • macrolides
  • and activated charcoal.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Before taking the drug, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or aboutbreastfeeding. The use of olanzapine during pregnancy and breast-feeding is generally not recommended.

Storing medicine

The drug should be stored in a suitable place that is invisible and inaccessible to children. Store in a dry place below 25 ° C in the original packaging.

The drug should not be used after the expiry date stated on the package. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

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