Olanzapine 5 mg

Category- Allopathy

Medicine Highlights

Olanzapine Summary 

Olanzapine 5 mg is an antipsychotic medication used to manage conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. It works by balancing brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin to help with symptoms such as mood swings, delusions, and hallucinations. Take it exactly as prescribed, at the same time each day, and don’t stop suddenly – even if you feel better. Side effects can include weight gain, drowsiness, restlessness, or changes in movement. People with liver issues, diabetes, high cholesterol, or those who are pregnant or elderly should talk to their doctor before starting. 

Avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and tobacco while on olanzapine, as they can affect how the medicine works. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember – unless it’s almost time for the next one. Store it in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and kids. Taking too much can be dangerous, so stick to your prescribed dose and reach out to your doctor if you have any concerns or unusual symptoms. 

Olanzapine Uses

Olanzapine 5 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the class of antipsychotic medicines. It is used for following indications: 

1. To treat split personality (schizophrenia) 
2. To treat bipolar, I disorder
3. To treat patients who have not responded to previous antidepressants.  

Directions for Use

1. Take olanzapine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, regularly at the same time each day.  
2. Do not stop taking olanzapine without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better. 
3. If you forget to take the medicine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for the next one, then just skip it. 

Olanzapine side effects

More Common

1. Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet 
2. Blurred vision 
3. Change in vision 
4. Change in walking and balance 
5. Clumsiness or unsteadiness 
6. Difficulty with speaking 
7. Difficulty with swallowing 
8. Drooling 
9. Impaired vision 
10. Inability to sit still 
11. Loss of balance control 
12. Mask-like face 
13. Muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness 
14. Need to keep moving 
15. Rapid weight gain 
16. Restlessness 
17. Shuffling walk 
18. Slowed movements 
19. Slurred speech 
20. Stiffness of the arms and legs 
21. Tic-like (jerky) movements of the head, face, mouth, and neck 
22. Tingling of the hands or feet 
23. Trembling or shaking of the fingers, hands, feet, legs, or arms 
24. Twisting movements of the body 
25. Uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back 
26. Unusual weight gain or loss 

Less Common 

1. Bladder pain 
2. Bloody or cloudy urine 
3. Bruising 
4. Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings 
5. Chest pain 
6. Difficult or labored breathing 
7. Difficult, burning, or painful urination 
8. Dizziness 
9. Excessive muscle tone 
10. Frequent urge to urinate 
11. Headache 
12. Inability to move the eyes 
13. Increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid 
14. Itching of the vagina or genital area 
15. Lack of coordination 
16. Large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin 
17. Loss of bladder control 
18. Loss of memory 
19. Lower back or side pain 
20. Muscle tension or tightness 
21. Nervousness 
22. Pain during sexual intercourse 
23. Pounding in the ears 
24. Problems with memory 
25. Rhythmic movement of the muscles 
26. Slow, fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse 
27. Speaking is less clear than usual 
28. Sticking out the tongue 
29. Thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor 
30. Tightness in the chest 
31. Twitching 
32. Uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs 
33. Unusual or incomplete body or facial movements 
34. Weakness of the arms and legs 

How Olanzapine works

Olanzapine is an atypical (second-generation) antipsychotic medication that works by reducing the action of certain chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin. This action helps improve symptoms in patients experiencing poor attention, hallucinations, delusions, and slurred speech. 

Safety Measures and Warning

Liver Disease

Olanzapine starts working after being metabolized in the liver. Patients with liver dysfunction should inform their doctor before starting the medication. 

Pregnancy

Women exposed to olanzapine during their third trimester of pregnancy may give birth to infants with conditions like feeding disorders and respiratory distress. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. 

Breastfeeding

Trace amounts of olanzapine have been found in breastfeeding women, which are considered safe for the infant.

Diabetic Patient

Olanzapine may increase the amount of sugar in your body. If you have diabetes, then inform your doctor before taking the medicine.

High Cholesterol Level

Olanzapine increases the amount of cholesterol in your body, which can be problematic for patients with pre-existing hypercholesterolemia.

Geriatric Patients

Elderly patients with dementia along with psychosis should not be prescribed the olanzapine.

Olanzapine Interaction with Other Medicines

Avoid taking olanzapine 5 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal: 

Olanzapine Interaction with Food Product

Olanzapine can interact with certain substances, so it’s important to be mindful of what you consume while taking it. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interfere with how the medication is processed in your body, potentially leading to harmful effects, so it’s best to avoid them. Similarly, using tobacco products can reduce the effectiveness of olanzapine, making the treatment less beneficial. To get the most out of your medication, steer clear of both grapefruit and tobacco before and after taking olanzapine. 

Storage

1. The medicine should be stored at room temperature  
2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture  
3. Keep away from the reach of children 

Olanzapine Chemical Structure

IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name- 

2-methyl-4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-10H-thieno[2,3-b]benzodiazepine 

Intake routine/cycle

Daily Dose

Take Olanzapine 5 mg tablet as prescribed by your doctor. Your dose can vary depending on the severity of the depression or bipolar disorder and how your body responds to the medication. Do not exceed the prescribed dose without consulting your doctor. 

Missed Dose

If you forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage. 

Overdose

A dose of more than 560 mg of olanzapine is considered an overdose. Symptoms may include agitation, dysarthria, low blood pressure, or sedation. Such cases require immediate medical attention to manage potential complications effectively.

FAQ’s

1- What are some olanzapine withdrawal symptoms? 

Withdrawal symptoms can occur when you’ve been taking olanzapine for a long time and suddenly stop, as your body needs time to adjust to the change. Some common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headaches, sweating or chills, tremors, anxiety, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping. These reactions are your body’s way of responding to the absence of the medication, so it’s important to taper off gradually under medical supervision. 

2- Does olanzapine cause sleep? 

Yes, olanzapine can induce sleep during the daytime, as it is one of its side effects. 

3- Which is better: generic olanzapine or branded olanzapine? 

A study conducted with 25 patients who were given generic olanzapine as a substitute for the branded version found no significant impairment in its effectiveness for treating schizophrenia. The study concluded that generic olanzapine can be used as a substitute for branded olanzapine. 

Reference

1. Mayo Clinic. Schizophrenia [Internet]. Mayo Clinic; 2023 [cited 2024 Sep 9]. Available from. 
2. Mayo Clinic. Olanzapine (Oral Route) Side Effects [Internet]. Mayo Clinic; 2023 [cited 2024 Sep 9]. Available from. 
3. Patel KR, Cherian J, Gohil K, Atkinson D. Schizophrenia: Overview and Treatment Options [Internet]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 [cited 2024 Sep 9]. Available from. 
4. Mayo Clinic. Bipolar Disorder [Internet]. Mayo Clinic; 2023 [cited 2024 Sep 9]. Available from. 
5. Medindia. Olanzapine Drug-Food Interactions [Internet]. Medindia; 2023 [cited 2024 Sep 9]. Available from. 
6. Italiano D, Bruno A, Santoro V, Lanza G, Muscatello MR, Zoccali R, Spina E. Generic olanzapine substitution in patients with schizophrenia: assessment of serum concentrations and therapeutic response after switching. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring. 2015 Dec 1;37(6):827-30. Available from. 

Mahak Phartyal

Mahak Phartyal completed her bachelor’s in pharmacy from Veer Madho Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University. She previously worked as a Medical Writer at Meril Life Sciences, where she wrote numerous scientific abstracts for conferences such as India Live 2024 and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). During her college years, she developed a keen research interest and published an article titled “Preliminary Phytochemical Screening, Physicochemical and Fluorescence Analysis of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis and Syzygium cumini Leaves.