Patient leaflet - OLANZAPINE DR REDDYS 7.5 MG FILM-COATED TABLETS
1. what olanzapine is and what it is used for
Olanzapine contains the active substance olanzapine. Olanzapine belongs to a group of medicines called antipsychotics and is used to treat the following conditions:
- schizophrenia, a disease with symptoms such as hearing, seeing or sensing things which are not there, mistaken beliefs, unusual suspiciousness, and becoming withdrawn. People with this disease may also feel depressed, anxious or tense.
- Moderate to severe manic episodes, a condition with symptoms of excitement or euphoria
Olanzapine has been shown to prevent recurrence of these symptoms in patients with bipolar disorder whose manic episode has responded to olanzapine treatment.
2. what you need to know before you take olanzapine
Do not take Olanzapine
- If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to olanzapine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). An allergic reaction may be recognised as a rash, itching, a swollen face, swollen lips or shortness of breath. If this has happened to you, tell your doctor.
- If you have been previously diagnosed with eye problems such as certain kinds of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye).
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you take Olanzapine Tablets.
The use of Olanzapine in elderly patients with dementia is not recommended as it may have serious side effects
- Medicines of this type may cause unusual movements mainly of the face or tongue. If this happens after you have been given Olanzapine Tablets tell your doctor.
- Very rarely, medicines of this type cause a combination of fever, faster breathing, sweating, muscle stiffness and drowsiness or sleepiness. If this happens, contact your doctor at once.
- __ Weight gain has been seen in-patients – -taking Olanzapine. You and your doctor should check your weight regularly.
Consider referral to a dietician or help with a diet plan if necessary.
- High blood pressure and high levels of fat (triglycerides and cholesterol) have been seen in patients taking Olanzapine. Your doctor should do blood tests to check blood sugar and certain fat levels before you start taking Olanzapine and regularly during treatment.
- " Tell the doctor if you oh someone else in ~ your family has a history of blood clots, as medicines like these have been associated with the formation of blood clots.
If you suffer from any of the following illnesses tell your doctor as soon as possible:
- Stroke or „mini“ stroke (temporary symptoms of stroke)
- Parkinson’s disease
» Prostate problems
- A blocked intestine (Paralytic ileus)
- Liver or kidney disease
- Blood disorders
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Seizures
If you suffer from dementia, you or your carer/relative should tell your doctor if you have ever had a stroke or „mini“ stroke.
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As a routine precaution, if you are over 65 years your blood pressure may be monitored by your doctor.
Children and adolescents
Olanzapine is not for patients who are under 18 years.
Other medicines and Olanzapine
Only take other medicines while you are taking Olanzapine Tablets if your doctor tells you that you can. You might feel drowsy if Olanzapine is taken in combination with antidepressants or medicines taken for anxiety or to help you sleep (tranquillisers).
Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking:
- Medicines for Parkinson’s disease.
- Carbamazepine (an anti-epileptic and mood stabiliser), fluvoxamine (an antidepressant) or ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic) – it may be necessary to change your dose of Olanzapine Tablets.
Olanzapine with alcohol
Do not drink any alcohol if you have been given Olanzapine Tablets as together with alcohol it may make you feel drowsy.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine. You should not be given this medicine when breast-feeding, as small amounts of Olanzapine can pass into breast milk.
The following symptoms may occur in newborn babies, of mothers that have used – Olanzapine Tablets in the last trimester (last three months of their pregnancy): shaking, muscle stiffness and/or weakness, sleepiness, agitation, breathing problems, and difficulty in feeding. If your baby develops any of these symptoms you may need to contact your doctor.
Driving and using machines
There is a risk of feeling drowsy when you are given Olanzapine Tablets. If this happens do not drive or operate any tools or machines. Tell your doctor.
Olanzapine Tablets contains lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
3. how to take olanzapine
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Your doctor will tell you how many Olanzapine Tablets to take, and how long you should continue to take them. The daily dose of Olanzapine is between 5 mg and 20 mg. Consult your doctor if your symptoms return but do not stop taking Olanzapine Tablets unless your doctor tells you to.
You should take your Olanzapine Tablets once a day following the advice of your doctor. Try to take your tablets at the same time each day. It does not matter whether you take them with or without food. Olanzapine Tablets are for oral use. You should swallow the tablets whole with water.
If you take more Olanzapine than you should
Patients who have taken more Olanzapine Tablets than they should, have experienced the following symptoms: rapid beating of the heart, agitation/aggressiveness, problems with speech, unusual movements (especially of the face or tongue) and reduced level of consciousness.
Other symptoms may be: acute confusion, seizures (epilepsy), coma, a combination of fever, faster breathing, sweating, muscle stiffness and drowsiness or sleepiness, slowing of the breathing rate, aspiration, high blood pressure or low blood pressure, abnormal rhythms of the heart.
Contact your doctor or hospital straight away if you experience any of the above symptoms.
Show the doctor your pack of tablets.
If you forget to take Olanzapine
Take your tablets as soon as you remember. Do not take two doses in one day.
If you stop taking Olanzapine
Do not stop taking your tablets just because you feel better. It is important that you carry on taking Olanzapine for as long as your doctor tells you.
If you suddenly stop taking Olanzapine, symptoms such as sweating, unable to sleep, tremor, anxiety or nausea and vomiting might occur. Your doctor may suggest you to reduce the dose gradually before stopping treatment.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Tell your doctor immediately if you have:
- Unusual movement (a common side effect that may affect up to 1 in 10 people) mainly of the face or tongue;
- Blood clots in the veins (an uncommon side effect that may affect up to 1 in 100 people) especially in the legs (symptoms include swelling, pain, and redness in the leg), which may travel through blood vessels to the lungs causing chest pain and difficulty in breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms seek medical advice immediately;
5. how to store olanzapine
Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date, which is stated on the carton. Do not store above 25 °C.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. contents of the pack and other information
What Olanzapine Tablets contain:
The active substance is olanzapine. Each film-coated tablet contains 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg or 20 mg of the active substance. The exact amount is shown on your Olanzapine tablet pack.
The other ingredients are lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate. The tablet coating contains hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 400.
What Olanzapine Tablets look like and contents of the pack
Olanzapine 2.5 mg film-coated tablets are white, oval, biconvex film-coated tablets, debossed “OLZ” on one side and “2.5” on other side.
Olanzapine 5 mg film-coated tablets are white to off-white, oval, biconvex film-coated tablets, debossed “OLZ” on one side and “5” on other side.
Olanzapine 7.5 mg film-coated tablets are white to off-white, oval, biconvex film-coated tablets, debossed “OLZ” on one side and “7.5” on other side.
Olanzapine 10 mg film-coated tablets are white to off-white, oval, biconvex film-coated tablets, debossed “OLZ” on one side and “10” on other side.
Olanzapine 15 mg film-coated tablets are white, round, biconvex film-coated tablets, debossed “OLZ” on one side and “15” on other side.
Olanzapine 20 mg film-coated tablets are white, oval, biconvex film-coated tablets, debossed “OLZ” on one side and “20” on other side.
Olanzapine is available in packs containing 7, 14, 28, 35, 56, 70, 98 film-coated tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (UK) Ltd, 6 Riverview Road, Beverley, HU17 0LD, UK
This leaflet was last revised in04/2020