Pharmacy Guide

Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.

Pharmacy Guide

Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.

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Olanzapine 7.5mg orodispersible tablets

⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued

The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.

If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Olanzapine may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.

Active substance: Olanzapine

Equivalent medicines (same active substance, strength and form)

and 1 more with the same active substance, strength and form

Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc)
Official leaflet: Read the PIL on emc

What it is and what it is used for

for 2. What you need to know before you take Olanzapine 3. How to take Olanzapine 4. Possible side effects 5. How to store Olanzapine 6. Contents of the pack and other information

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such as hearing, seeing or sensing things which are not there, mistaken beliefs, unusual suspiciousness, and becoming withdrawn.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.

What you need to know before you take it

e 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.
  • 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 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 sugar 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 or 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 know that you may have salt depletion as a result of prolonged severe diarrhoea and vomiting (being sick) or usage of diuretics (water tablets) If you suffer from dementia, you or your carer/relative should tell your doctor if you have ever had a stroke or "mini" stroke. 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 on Olanzapine 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 Olanzapine dose. Olanzapine with alcohol Do not drink any alcohol if you have been given Olanzapine 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 take this medicine when pregnant unless you have discussed this with your doctor. The following symptoms may occur in newborn babies, of mothers that have used Olanzapine 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. If this happens do not drive or operate any tools or machines. Tell your doctor.

Olanzapine contains aspartame This medicine contains 0.50 mg aspartame in each 5 mg orodispersible tablet. This medicine contains 0.75 mg aspartame in each 7.5 mg orodispersible tablet. This medicine contains 1.00 mg aspartame in each 10 mg orodispersible tablet. This medicine contains 1.50 mg aspartame in each 15 mg orodispersible tablet. This medicine contains 2.00 mg aspartame in each 20 mg orodispersible tablet. Aspartame is a source of phenylalanine. It may be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder in which phenylalanine builds up because the body cannot remove it properly.

3. How to take Olanzapine Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacists 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 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.

How to take it

Olanzapine Olanzapine tablets break easily, so you should handle the tablets carefully. Do not handle the tablets with wet hands as the tablets may break up. To take a tablet out of the packaging:

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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.

The tablet begins breaking up in the mouth within seconds and can then be swallowed with or without water. Your mouth should be empty before placing the tablet on the tongue. You can also place the tablet in a full glass or cup of water. Drink it straight away. If you take more Olanzapine than you should Patients who have taken more Olanzapine 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.

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;
  • a combination of fever, faster breathing, sweating, muscle stiffness and drowsiness or sleepiness (the frequency of this side effect cannot be estimated from the available data). Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) include weight gain; sleepiness and increases in levels of prolactin in the blood. In the early stages of treatment, some people may feel dizzy or faint (with a slow heart rate), especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position. This will usually pass on its own but if it does not, tell your doctor.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include changes in the levels of some blood cells, circulating fats and early in treatment, temporary increases in liver enzymes; increases in the level of sugars in the blood and urine; increases in levels of uric acid and creatine phosphokinase in the blood; feeling more hungry; dizziness; restlessness; tremor; unusual movements (dyskinesias); constipation; dry mouth; rash; loss of strength; extreme tiredness; water retention leading to swelling of the hands, ankles or feet; fever; joint pain; and sexual dysfunctions such as decreased libido in males and females or erectile dysfunction in males. Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include hypersensitivity (e.g. swelling in the mouth and throat, itching, rash); diabetes or the worsening of diabetes, occasionally associated with ketoacidosis (ketones in the blood and urine) or coma; seizures, usually associated with a history of seizures (epilepsy); muscle stiffness or spasms (including eye movements); restless legs syndrome; problems with speech; stuttering; slow heart rate; sensitivity to sunlight; bleeding from the nose; abdominal distension; drooling; memory loss or forgetfulness; urinary incontinence; lack of ability to urinate; hair loss; absence or decrease in menstrual periods; and changes in breasts in males and females such as an abnormal production of breast milk or abnormal growth. Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people) include lowering of normal body temperature; abnormal rhythms of the heart; sudden unexplained death; inflammation of the pancreas causing severe stomach pain, fever and sickness; liver disease appearing as yellowing of the skin and white parts of the eyes; muscle disease presenting as unexplained aches and pains; and prolonged and/or painful erection. Very rare side effects include serious allergic reactions such as Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms

(DRESS). DRESS appears initially as flu-like symptoms with a rash on the face and then with an extended rash, high temperature, enlarged lymph nodes, increased levels of liver enzymes seen in blood tests and an increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophilia). While taking olanzapine, elderly patients with dementia may suffer from stroke, pneumonia, urinary incontinence, falls, extreme tiredness, visual hallucinations, a rise in body temperature, redness of the skin and have trouble walking. Some fatal cases have been reported in this particular group of patients. In patients with Parkinson's disease Olanzapine may worsen the symptoms. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly Yellow Card Scheme, Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

How to store it

Olanzapine Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the packaging. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Store in the original package in order to protect from light and moisture. This medicine does not require any special temperature storage conditions. 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 to protect the environment.

Contents of the pack and other information

What Olanzapine contains

  • The active substance is olanzapine. Each orodispersible tablet contains 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg or 20 mg olanzapine.
  • The other ingredients are mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone, low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, aspartame, calcium silicate, magnesium stearate. See section 2 "Olanzapine contains aspartame". What Olanzapine looks like and contents of the pack Olanzapine 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg and 20 mg orodispersible tablets are: round, slightly biconvex, yellow marbled tablets with possible individual spots. Olanzapine 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg and 20 mg orodispersible tablets: available in boxes of 14, 28, 35, 56 and 70 tablets in blisters. Marketing Authorisation Holder KRKA, d.d., Novo mesto, Šmarješka cesta 6, 8501 Novo mesto, Slovenia Manufacturer KRKA, d.d., Novo mesto, Šmarješka cesta 6, 8501 Novo mesto, Slovenia KRKA-POLSKA Sp. z o.o., ul. Równoległa 5, 02-235 Warszawa, Poland TAD Pharma GmbH, Heinz-Lohmann-Straße 5, 27472 Cuxhaven, Germany This leaflet was last revised in 11/2022.

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1. Hold the blister at the edges and separate one blister cell from the rest of the blister by gently tearing along the perforations around it. 2. Pull up the edge of the foil and peel foil off completely. 3. Tip the tablet out onto your hand. 4. Put the tablet on the tongue as soon as it is removed from the packaging.

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Frequently asked questions about Olanzapine 7.5mg orodispersible tablets

How do I take Olanzapine 7.5mg orodispersible tablets?

Olanzapine 7.5mg orodispersible tablets comes as tablet containing 7.5mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.

What is the active substance in Olanzapine 7.5mg orodispersible tablets?

The active substance in Olanzapine 7.5mg orodispersible tablets is olanzapine.

Are there equivalent medicines to Olanzapine 7.5mg orodispersible tablets?

Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: ZYPREXA 7.5 mg coated tablets, Olanzapine 7.5 mg tablets, Olanzapine 7.5 mg tablets. In total there are 6 equivalent products. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.

Where does this information come from?

This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Olanzapine 7.5mg orodispersible tablets, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.

Can I get Olanzapine 7.5mg orodispersible tablets without a prescription?

Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.

About this leaflet

The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.

Medical disclaimer: This page is for information only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the leaflet supplied with your medicine. If you are unwell, call NHS 111; in an emergency, call 999.

Medicines with the same active substance: Olanzapine (44 medicines)
See every medicine containing this substance, or browse the full A–Z of active substances.

💬 Ask about this leaflet

Ask anything about Olanzapine 7.5mg orodispersible tablets. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.

Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.

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