About olanzapine
Atypical antipsychotic
Used for
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar I disorder, including mania and relapse prevention
Usual adult dose
Schizophrenia: usually 5–20 mg once daily. Bipolar mania: usually 10–15 mg once daily, alone or with lithium or valproate.
Usual dose in children
Not routinely recommended for children; specialist use may be considered for adolescents with bipolar mania.
Common side effects
- Sleepiness
- Weight gain and increased appetite
- Dizziness
- Raised blood sugar and cholesterol
Important warnings
- May increase blood sugar and blood fats; monitoring is often needed.
- Can cause marked sleepiness, dizziness, or falls.
- Rarely causes neuroleptic malignant syndrome or serious movement problems.
- Do not stop suddenly without medical guidance.
Pregnancy
Use during pregnancy only when clinically necessary; late-pregnancy exposure may cause newborn movement or withdrawal symptoms.
Breastfeeding
Not usually recommended during breastfeeding; olanzapine passes into breast milk and may cause infant sleepiness.
Interactions
- Alcohol and sedating medicines can worsen sleepiness.
- Fluvoxamine and ciprofloxacin may increase olanzapine levels.
- Carbamazepine and smoking may lower olanzapine levels.
- Medicines that prolong the QT interval may increase heart-rhythm risks.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.