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Olanzapine is an antipsychotic, antimanic and mood stabilizing drug. It is widely used in psychiatry to treat schizophrenia and severe bipolar mania. The drug is available only on prescription. Depending on the facility, dose and manufacturer, the price of reimbursed preparations with olanzapine may range from PLN 10 to PLN 20, and for non-reimbursed – from PLN 50 to PLN 200.
Action, indications and dosage of olanzapine
Olanzapine is a neuroleptic drug used to treat schizophrenia, moderate to severe manic episodes, to prevent recurrence in bipolar disorder, and to support patients who have responded well to therapy. Olanzapine has a mood stabilizing, antimanic and antipsychotic effect. There are several dozen preparations containing olanzapine available on the Polish market, including Anzorin, Egolanza, Olanzapine Apotex, Ranofren, Synza, Zolafren and others.
The doctor decides on the dose and frequency of administration of the drug individually. The most common starting dose is 5 mg a day, and then increases it to 10-20 mg. The drug is sometimes administered intramuscularly in patients where oral administration is not possible, or in cases of prompt control of behavioral disorders and over-agitation.
Contraindications, side effects and drug interactions
Please read the package leaflet carefully before using any olanzapine-containing medicine. The preparation is not used if the patient is allergic to any of the ingredients and if the patient is at risk of closure-angle glaucoma.
Olanzapine, like any other substance, can cause side effects and the most common include: drowsiness, increase in weight and appetite, glucosuria, dry mouth, edema, fatigue, decreased libido in men and women. In rare cases, it can cause, among others: allergic reactions, development or worsening of diabetes mellitus, gynecomastia, seizures, inflammation of the pancreas and liver.
The article is only a preview and in case of side effects you should consult your doctor immediately.
Particular care should be taken when using the drug, e.g. in diabetic patients, lipid disorders, prostate hypertrophy, liver dysfunction. Taking the preparation during pregnancy is possible only under the supervision of a doctor, only if the health benefits of the mother outweigh the risk to the fetus. Olanzapine should not be taken while breastfeeding.
Smoking and taking carbamazepine may decrease the blood levels of olanzapine, while ciprofloxacin and fluvoxamine may increase it. An interval of about 2 hours should be left when using activated charcoal simultaneously, because it reduces the bioavailability of olanzapine.
| Name of the drug / preparation | Olanzapine |
| Wstęp | Olanzapine is an antipsychotic, antimanic and mood stabilizing drug. It is widely used in psychiatry to treat schizophrenia, severe manic episodes in the course of bipolar disorder. |
| Manufacturer | Wielu, np. Axxon, Glenmark, Actavis Polska, Orion |
| Form, dose, packaging | Film-coated tablets / tablets / capsules / orodispersible tablets, 5/10/15/20 mg, 28 tablets |
| Availability category | Prescription |
| The active substance | olanzapine |
| Indication | For the treatment of schizophrenia, long-term supportive care for patients who have responded well to the drug, for the treatment of moderate to severe manic episodes, and for the prevention of relapse in bipolar disorder. Olzapine has a mood stabilizing, antimanic and antipsychotic effect |
| Dosage | The physician decides individually about the dose and frequency of administration of the drug. The most common starting dose is 5 mg per day, then increasing it to 10-20 mg |
| Contraindications to use | Allergy to any of the ingredients of the preparation and if the patient is at risk of angle-closure glaucoma |
| Warnings | Caution should be exercised, inter alia, in the case of patients suffering from diabetes, lipid disturbances, prostate hypertrophy, liver dysfunction and other |
| Interactions | Smoking and taking carbamazepine may decrease the blood levels of olanzapine, while ciprofloxacin and fluvoxamine may increase it. Activated charcoal reduces the bioavailability of olanzapine, therefore an interval of about 2 hours should be allowed before administration |
| Side effects | Common: somnolence, increase in weight and appetite, glucosuria, dry mouth, edema, fatigue, decreased libido in men and women. In rare cases, it can cause, among others allergic reactions, development or worsening of diabetes mellitus, gynecomastia, seizures, inflammation of the pancreas and liver |
| Other (if any) | Taking the preparation during pregnancy is possible only under the supervision of a doctor, when the health benefits of the mother outweigh the risk to the fetus. Olanzapine should not be taken while breastfeeding |
Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.