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olanzapine
Zyprexa

Pregnancy Risk Category C

How supplied
Tablets:
5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg

Action
Unknown. Binds to dopamine and serotonin receptors; may antagonize adrenergic, cholinergic, and histaminergic receptors.

Indications & dosage
Psychotic disorders--

Adults:
initially, 5 to 10 mg P.O. once daily. Dosage adjustments in 5-mg daily increments should occur at intervals of not less than 1 week. Most patients respond to dosages of 10 mg/day. Don't exceed 20 mg/day.
Adjust-a-dose:
For patients who are debilitated, predisposed to hypotension, or have an alteration in metabolism due to smoking status, sex, or age, or who are pharmacologically sensitive to drug, 5 mg initially.

Adverse reactions
CNS:
somnolence, agitation, insomnia, headache, nervousness, hostility, parkinsonism, dizziness, anxiety, personality disorder, akathisia, hypertonia, tremor, amnesia, articulation impairment, euphoria, stuttering, tardive dyskinesia.
CV:
orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, chest pain, hypotension, edema.
EENT:
amblyopia, blepharitis, corneal lesion, rhinitis, pharyngitis.
GI:
constipation, dry mouth, abdominal pain, increased appetite, increased salivation, nausea, vomiting, thirst.
GU:
premenstrual syndrome, hematuria, metrorrhagia, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection.
Hematologic:
asymptomatic increases in eosinophil count.
Hepatic:
asymptomatic increases in AST, ALT, and GGT levels.
Metabolic:
weight gain or loss, fever, asymptomatic increases in CK and serum prolactin levels.
Musculoskeletal:
joint pain, extremity pain, back pain, neck rigidity, twitching.
Respiratory:
increased cough, dyspnea.
Skin:
vesiculobullous rash.

Interactions
Drug-drug.
Antihypertensives: may potentiate hypotensive effects. Monitor blood pressure closely.
Carbamazepine, omeprazole, rifampin:
increased clearance of olanzapine. Monitor patient.
Diazepam:
increased CNS effects. Monitor closely.
Dopamine agonists, levodopa:
antagonized activity of these drugs. Monitor patient.
Drug-herb.
Nutmeg: may reduce effectiveness or interfere with drug therapy. Avoid concomitant use.
Drug-lifestyle.
Alcohol use: increased CNS effects. Avoid concomitant use.

Effects on diagnostic tests
None reported.

Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to drug.

Nursing considerations

Patient teaching

*Liquid contains alcohol. **May contain tartrazine.  †Canada  ‡Australia  §U.K.  OTCOver the counter
Reactions may be common, uncommon, life-threatening, or COMMON AND LIFE-THREATENING

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