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Olanzapine
Brand Name: Zyprexa
Overview
Zyprexa
is the brand name for Olanzapine, a thienobenzodiazepine.
It is one of the newer medications for schizophrenia, and
is considered an "atypical" antipsychotic. It is thought
to work by decreasing the effects of serotonin and dopamine,
two chemical messengers of the brain.
In general,
Zyprexa has fewer side effects than standard antipsychotic
medications. This medication is more effective against negative
symptoms of schizophrenia than the other classes of antipsychotic
medications, though Zyprexa improves both positive and negative
symptoms.
Zyprexa’s
effects may be felt in about one week.
Why
is this drug prescribed?
Zyprexa
is used to treat emotional and mental problems such as schizophrenia
or psychosis.
Zyprexa
may also be used to treat bipolar disorder (manic depression),
or behavioral problems that occur with dementia.
Warnings
Because
the safety and effectiveness of Zyprexa are not established
in children under 18, it is not recommended for use in children.
Zyprexa
can cause sleepiness, loss of coordination, and vision problems.
Patients should not drive or operate heavy machinery until
they know that Zyprexa does not affect the ability to safely
engage in these activities.
Zyprexa
impairs the body's ability to adapt to heat. Patients should
avoid saunas and other very hot environments
For
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: There is little information
concerning Zyprexa use and pregnancy; Zyprexa is not recommended
for pregnant women. It is not known whether Zyprexa is passed
into breast milk; Zyprexa is not recommended for nursing
mothers.
Contraindications
Zyprexa
should Not be used for people with an allergy or
hypersensitivity to this drug.
Precautions
Zyprexa
may be used with caution for people with the following conditions:
- elderly
– a reduced dosage may be needed
- liver
or kidney disease – a reduced dosage may be needed
- a
history of breast cancer - certain types of breast cancer
may be worsened
- recent
myocardial infarction or history of heart disease
- Alzheimer's
disease—Risk of pneumonia and convulsions (seizures)
may be increased
- dehydration—Zyprexa
increases the risk of heat stroke because it affects the
body's ability to cool itself
- enlarged
prostate
- narrow
angle glaucoma
- paralytic
ileus (severe intestinal problem)
- poor
circulation to the brain
- trouble
swallowing
- intestinal
blockage
Adverse
Reactions
Zyprexa
may cause the following reactions:
- drowsiness
- agitation
/ hostility
- insomnia
- dizziness
- skin
rash
- headache
- depression
or other emotional changes
- fast
heart rate
- vision
problems
- weakness
- photosensitivity
- excessive
salivation
- difficulty
speaking or swallowing
- stiffness
or spasms of the arms or legs
- shaking
of the hands or feet (tremors)
- restlessness
- constipation
- weight
gain
- abnormal
movements
- neuroleptic
malignant syndrome (NMS)
- tardative
dyskinesia (TD)
- orthostatic
hypotension (low heart rate upon standing)
Interactions
with Drugs and Other Substances
Drugs
or substances that may interact with Zyprexa are:
- alcohol
or medicines that can cause drowsiness or central nervous
system (CNS) effects such as antihistamines or medicine
for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers,
or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics;
barbiturates; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants;
or anesthetics (including some dental anesthetics) –
these medications can increase Zyprexa’s side effects
such as drowsiness
- high
blood pressure (antihypertensive) medicines – Zyprexa
can increase the effects of these drugs
- levodopa
and dopamine agonists – Zyprexa can reduce the effects
of these drugs
- tobacco
smoking or carbamazepine – may increase the rate
of elimination of Zyprexa, a higher dose may be needed
Sources
http://www.zyprexa.com/enginfo.htm
http://www.health-center.com/db/PageReq?SessionID=3150&TopicID=378&PageID=1554&Action=view
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/
http://www.healthtouch.com/bin/EContent_HT/showUSPLfts.asp?fname=use0901.htm&title=
Zyprexa&cid=HT
http://www.rxlist.com/scripts/patient/piumore.pl?mononum=868&dc_category=
Depression&order=0&type=&item=
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