olanzapine (Intramuscular route)
oh-LAN-za-peen
- Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis
- Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients. Over the course of a typical 10-week controlled trial, the rate of death in drug-treated patients was about 4.5%, compared to a rate of about 2.6% in the placebo group. Although the causes of death were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that, similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs, treatment with conventional antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. The extent to which the findings of increased mortality in observational studies may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to some characteristic(s) of the patients is not clear. Olanzapine is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis .
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo. Although the causes of death in clinical trials were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. It is unclear from these studies to what extent the mortality findings may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to patient characteristics. Olanzapine is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis .
Oral routeTabletTablet, Disintegrating- Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis
- Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients. Over the course of a typical 10-week controlled trial, the rate of death in drug-treated patients was about 4.5%, compared to a rate of about 2.6% in the placebo group. Although the causes of death were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that, similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs, treatment with conventional antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. The extent to which the findings of increased mortality in observational studies may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to some characteristic(s) of the patients is not clear. Olanzapine is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis .
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo. Although the causes of death in clinical trials were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. It is unclear from these studies to what extent the mortality findings may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to patient characteristics. Olanzapine is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis .
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
- Zyprexa IntraMuscular
Available Dosage Forms:
- Powder for Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antipsychotic
Chemical Class: Thienobenzodiazepine
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 User Reviews & Ratings
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Uses For olanzapine
Olanzapine injection is used to treat agitation that occurs with schizophrenia and bipolar mania. olanzapine should not be used to treat behavioral problems in older adult patients who have dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
olanzapine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before Using olanzapine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For olanzapine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to olanzapine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of olanzapine injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of olanzapine injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have dementia or age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution or an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving olanzapine injection.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Using olanzapine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Levomethadyl
Using olanzapine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Clomipramine
- Lithium
- Mirtazapine
- Tetrabenazine
- Tramadol
Using olanzapine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Betel Nut
- Carbamazepine
- Ciprofloxacin
- Fluvoxamine
- Haloperidol
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of olanzapine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Blood vessel disease or circulation problems or
- Dehydration or
- Heart attack or stroke, history of or
- Heart disease or
- Heart failure or
- Heart rhythm problems or
- Hypotension (low blood pressure) or
- Hypovolemia (low blood volume)—May cause side effects to become worse.
- Breast cancer, prolactin-dependent or
- Glaucoma, narrow-angle or
- Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol or fat in the blood) or
- Hyperprolactinemia (high prolactin in the blood) or
- Liver disease or
- Paralytic ileus (severe intestinal problem), history of or
- Prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate) or
- Seizures, history of—Use with caution. olanzapine may make these conditions worse.
- Diabetes or
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)—olanzapine may raise your blood sugar levels.
Proper Use of olanzapine
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you olanzapine. olanzapine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
Your doctor may give you a few doses of olanzapine until your condition improves, and then switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you smoke tobacco. You might need a different amount of olanzapine if you smoke.
Precautions While Using olanzapine
It is very important that your doctor check your progress while you are receiving olanzapine to make sure it is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.
olanzapine may increase the amount of sugar in your blood. Check with your doctor right away if you have increased thirst or increased urination. If you have diabetes, you may notice a change in the results of your urine or blood sugar tests. If you have any questions, check with your doctor.
Stop using olanzapine and check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while receiving olanzapine: convulsions (seizures), difficulty with breathing, a fast heartbeat, a high fever, high or low blood pressure, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, severe muscle stiffness, unusually pale skin, or tiredness. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
olanzapine may cause tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder). Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while receiving olanzapine: lip smacking or puckering, puffing of the cheeks, rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue, uncontrolled chewing movements, or uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs.
Olanzapine injection may cause drowsiness, trouble with thinking, trouble with controlling body movements, or trouble with your vision. Make sure you know how you react to olanzapine before you drive, use machines, or do other jobs that require you to be alert, well-coordinated, or able to think or see well.
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If this problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
olanzapine Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common- Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- blurred vision
- change in vision
- change in walking and balance
- clumsiness or unsteadiness
- difficulty with speaking
- difficulty with swallowing
- drooling
- impaired vision
- inability to sit still
- loss of balance control
- mask-like face
- muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
- need to keep moving
- rapid weight gain
- restlessness
- shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- shuffling walk
- slowed movements
- slurred speech
- stiffness of the arms and legs
- tic-like (jerky) movements of the head, face, mouth, and neck
- tingling of the hands or feet
- trembling or shaking of the fingers, hands, or feet
- twisting movements of the body
- uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
- unusual weight gain or loss
- Bladder pain
- bloody or cloudy urine
- bruising
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- chest pain
- difficult or labored breathing
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- dizziness
- excessive muscle tone
- frequent urge to urinate
- headache
- inability to move the eyes
- increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
- itching of the vagina or genital area
- lack of coordination
- large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
- loss of bladder control
- loss of memory
- lower back or side pain
- muscle tension or tightness
- nervousness
- pain, redness and swelling at the site of the injection
- pounding in the ears
- problems with memory
- rhythmic movement of the muscles
- shortness of breath
- slow, fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- speaking is less clear than usual
- sticking out the tongue
- thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
- tightness in the chest
- trouble with breathing, speaking, or swallowing
- twitching
- uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs
- unusual or incomplete body or facial movements
- weakness of the arms and legs
- wheezing
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common- Acid or sour stomach
- back pain
- belching
- change in personality
- difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
- discouragement
- feeling sad or empty
- fever
- heartburn
- increased appetite
- increased cough
- indigestion
- lack of appetite
- lack or loss of strength
- loss of interest or pleasure
- runny nose
- sleeplessness
- sneezing
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- stuffy nose
- thirst
- trouble with concentrating
- unable to sleep
- watering of the mouth
- weight gain
- Body aches or pain
- chills
- cold sweats
- congestion
- cough
- dry skin
- dryness or soreness of the throat
- false or unusual sense of well-being
- heavy menstrual bleeding
- hoarseness
- joint pain
- lack of feeling or emotion
- leg cramps
- pain in the arms or legs
- sweating
- tender, swollen glands in the neck
- uncaring feelings
- voice change
- vomiting
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
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olanzapine Intramuscular Side Effects
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Paranoid Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Insomnia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Asperger Syndrome
