olanzapine (injection)

Skip to the navigation

Pronunciation: oh LAN za peen

Brand: ZyPREXA, ZyPREXA Relprevv

What is the most important information I should know about olanzapine injection?

Olanzapine injection can cause symptoms of delirium (sudden severe confusion, disorientation, agitation, problems with speech or walking), or drowsiness severe enough for you to lapse into a coma. You will be watched closely for at least 3 hours after your injection, and you should not drive for the rest of the day.

What is olanzapine injection?

Olanzapine is an antipsychotic medication that affects chemicals in the brain.

Olanzapine injection is used to treat adults who are in an agitated state due to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (manic depression). Olanzapine injection is not for daily use to treat any psychotic condition.

Olanzapine injection is available only under a special program. You must be registered in the program and understand the risks and benefits of using this medication.

Olanzapine injection may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving olanzapine injection?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to olanzapine.

Olanzapine is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Olanzapine may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

If possible before you receive olanzapine injection, tell your doctor if you have:

  • diabetes;
  • high cholesterol;
  • heart disease;
  • seizures or epilepsy;
  • a history of heart attack or stroke;
  • if you are also using a sedative such as Valium.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Using antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn.

Olanzapine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You may need to stop breast-feeding for a short time after receiving an olanzapine injection. Follow your doctor's instructions.

In an emergency situation, it may not be possible before you are treated with olanzapine to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medicine.

How is olanzapine injection given?

Olanzapine is injected into a muscle. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.

An olanzapine injection is usually given only once. If you still have symptoms after 2 hours, your caregivers may use a second or third dose.

Olanzapine injection can cause symptoms of delirium (sudden severe confusion, disorientation, agitation, problems with speech or walking), or drowsiness severe enough for you to lapse into a coma. You will be watched closely for at least 3 hours after your injection.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since olanzapine injection is given by a healthcare professional in an emergency setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid after receiving olanzapine injection?

Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

Olanzapine can cause severe drowsiness and may impair your thinking or reactions. You must remain at the healthcare facility for at least 3 hours after your injection, and you should not drive for the rest of the day.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

What are the possible side effects of olanzapine injection?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Olanzapine injection can cause serious symptoms if the medicine gets into your bloodstream too fast. During the first 3 hours after your injection you will be watched for the following signs:

  • severe dizziness, drowsiness, or weakness;
  • confusion, anxiety, feeling angry or hostile;
  • feeling nervous or shaky;
  • trouble walking or talking;
  • seizure (convulsions); or
  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

In rare cases, olanzapine may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal if it spreads to other parts of the body. Seek medical treatment if you have a new or worsening skin rash with fever, swollen glands, or swelling in your face.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs;
  • trouble swallowing;
  • signs of dehydration --if you feel very thirsty or hot, are unable to urinate, and have heavy sweating or hot and dry skin;
  • weak immune system --sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, sore throat, trouble swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing;
  • high blood sugar --increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss; or
  • severe nervous system reaction --very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors.

Common side effects may include:

  • headache, back pain;
  • weight gain, increased appetite;
  • mild drowsiness;
  • dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
  • sinus pain, runny or stuffy nose, cough; or
  • pain, bruising, swelling, or other irritation where the injection was given.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect olanzapine injection?

Using olanzapine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, prescription cough medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Other drugs may interact with olanzapine injection, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about olanzapine injection.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2017 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.05. Revision date: 9/19/2016.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read, understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by clicking on this link.