About Oleanz 5 Tablet
Oleanz 5 Tablet contains Olanzapine 5 mg. This is an antipsychotic medicine used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It helps calm disturbed thinking, reduce hallucinations and steady mood. It can cause weight gain and raise blood sugar and cholesterol, so regular check-ups are needed. Do not stop it suddenly.
Uses of Oleanz 5 Tablet
- Schizophrenia
- Mania in bipolar disorder
- Prevention of relapse in bipolar disorder
Benefits
In schizophrenia
It can reduce hallucinations, unusual beliefs and confused thinking, helping you feel calmer and think more clearly. Keep taking it as prescribed to help prevent relapse.
In bipolar disorder
It helps control episodes of mania and can help keep mood more stable over time.
Side effects
Most side effects are mild and settle as your body gets used to the medicine. Talk to your doctor if any of them bother you or do not go away.
Common
- Weight gain
- Drowsiness
- Increased appetite
- Dizziness on standing
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Raised blood sugar and cholesterol
Get medical help if you notice
- High fever with stiff muscles, sweating, confusion or a fast heartbeat — seek emergency care (a rare but serious reaction)
- Extreme thirst, passing a lot of urine, or feeling very weak (high blood sugar) — contact your doctor
- Uncontrolled movements of the face, tongue, jaw or limbs — tell your doctor
- Pain or swelling in a leg, or sudden breathlessness (possible blood clot) — seek emergency care
- Fever with a widespread rash and swollen glands — seek medical help
- In elderly people with dementia, medicines of this type have been linked to a higher risk of stroke and death; they should be used in this group only if a specialist decides it is needed
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, usually once a day at the same time. Swallow the tablet with water; it can be taken with or without food. Do not stop it suddenly.
How it works
It blocks the effects of certain brain chemicals, mainly dopamine and serotonin, that are thought to be out of balance in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Safety advice
Alcohol Unsafe
Avoid alcohol. It increases drowsiness and dizziness.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it. Do not stop suddenly if you become pregnant; talk to your doctor.
Breastfeeding Unsafe
It passes into breast milk, and breastfeeding is usually not advised while taking it. Ask your doctor.
Driving Caution
It can cause drowsiness. Do not drive until you know how it affects you.
Kidney Caution
Your doctor may start with a lower dose in kidney disease.
Liver Caution
Your doctor may start with a lower dose and check your liver.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Do not stop it suddenly — talk to your doctor first.
- Have your weight, blood sugar and cholesterol checked regularly.
- Eat a balanced diet and stay active to help manage weight.
- Get up slowly to avoid dizziness.
- Tell your doctor if you start or stop smoking, as this can change the medicine's level.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Same salts, other strengths or forms
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Thienobenzodiazepine
- Therapeutic class
- Mental health
- Action class
- Atypical antipsychotic
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Carbamazepine and smoking | Can lower olanzapine levels |
| Fluvoxamine, ciprofloxacin | Can raise olanzapine levels |
| Alcohol, sedatives, sleeping pills | Increased drowsiness |
| Levodopa and other Parkinson's medicines | Each may reduce the effect of the other |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Olanzapine prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); NICE BNF: olanzapine). Pharmacist review pending.