FAQs About ZYPREXA® (olanzapine)
Learn more about ZYPREXA through these commonly asked questions:
You must select at least 1 question or "View All."
| Q1: |
What is ZYPREXA? |
| Q1: |
What is ZYPREXA? |
A1: |
ZYPREXA is a prescription medicine approved by the FDA for the treatment of:
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A2: |
If your doctor has prescribed ZYPREXA for you, you can confidently take it, based on your doctor's sound medical judgment about which medicine best meets your needs. Millions of people have been treated with ZYPREXA worldwide for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder over the more than 10 years that it has been on the market. If you have concerns about potential risks, talk to your doctor about them to make sure that you understand both the benefits and risks of your treatment plan. |
A3: |
Diseases that affect the brain, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are thought to be caused by certain chemicals in the brain being out of balance. Although it is not entirely clear how antipsychotic medications work in the body, it is believed that ZYPREXA works by adjusting the imbalance of chemicals in the brain that may cause symptoms of these conditions. By doing so, ZYPREXA may help restore more normal thinking and mood. |
A4: |
It is very important to take ZYPREXA exactly as instructed by your doctor—the right amount, at the same time, every day. Even if you may not be sure how well it is working or are concerned about how it is making you feel, keep taking ZYPREXA until you talk to your doctor. ZYPREXA is an easy to take, once a day tablet that can be taken with or without food. ZYPREXA is usually taken once a day in the evening. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your regularly scheduled dose. Do not take more than your doctor has prescribed for you. |
A5: |
Every medicine offers healing benefits for many individuals along with the possibility of undesired effects. At Lilly, we believe our most important job is to protect patient safety, which means being completely up-front about potential side effects. Like all medicines, ZYPREXA can cause side effects. Medications affect people in different ways. Some common side effects of ZYPREXA are drowsiness, increased appetite, weight gain, constipation, dry mouth, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, tremors (shakes), dizziness, and restlessness. These side effects generally do not bother people enough to cause them to stop taking ZYPREXA. This is not a complete list of side effects. You can find more information in the Important Safety Information or by consulting the Prescribing Information on this site. Talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns. |
A6: |
If you experience some of the following side effects, these suggestions may help:
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A7: |
You should not stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor. ZYPREXA is not a cure, but a medicine that can only help control your symptoms as long as you continue taking it. You should continue taking ZYPREXA every day exactly as prescribed by your doctor, even if you are feeling better or your symptoms go away. If you are starting to feel better, it is a signal that your medicine is working for you and you should stick with it. Do not skip doses or change the dose on your own, as this can affect how well the medicine works for you. To keep feeling well it is important that you continue to take your medicine exactly as your doctor recommends. |
A8: |
You may begin to see improvements in your symptoms within a few days of starting to take ZYPREXA. However, it can take several weeks to experience the full benefit. For people with bipolar mania, improvements to look for include better sleep, more stable mood, and less problems with racing thoughts. For people with schizophrenia, improvements may include fewer bothersome symptoms like fears and voices and clearer thinking. Many patients track their progress every day, allowing them to see gradual improvements in their symptoms. To help you with this, click here for a simple progress tracker. Ask a family member or friend to help you monitor your progress if you feel comfortable with this. They may notice changes that you do not. If you are not seeing progress, your doctor may change your dose or medication. If you are making progress, share it with your doctor and celebrate your successes, whether they are small or large! Often once patients begin feeling better they feel like they don't need their medicine anymore. Actually, if you are starting to feel better, it is a signal that your medicine is working for you and you should stick with it. To keep feeling well it is important that you continue to take your medicine exactly as your doctor recommends. Taking your medicine is important to your recovery, but it is not the whole story. Talk to your doctor about other things you can do to keep improving, such as ensuring the support of your family and friends, and participating in group or individual talk therapy. |
A9: |
If your symptoms do not improve or you are feeling worse, let your healthcare provider know. He or she may need to change how much medicine you are taking or change your medicine. If you are seeing progress, let your healthcare provider know that too. Celebrate your successes! Even the smallest successes can help you take the next step. |
A10: |
As with any prescription medicine, you should not stop taking ZYPREXA without first talking to your doctor. Medicine is an important part of treatment to help you manage your symptoms. Leaving your symptoms untreated could be harmful to your health and quality of life. If you have concerns, talk with your doctor. The decision about whether you should keep taking ZYPREXA should be made based on discussion between you and your doctor. People taking ZYPREXA may gain weight and should have their weight checked regularly while taking ZYPREXA. To minimize your potential for gaining weight, you should follow a healthy, balanced diet and get regular exercise. Lilly also makes resources available, free of charge, that provide ongoing support to people taking ZYPREXA. These materials can help you manage your diet, become more active, and cope better with stress. Ask your doctor or healthcare professional if you are interested in these free resources. |
A11: |
ZYPREXA has a label warning about the potential risks for increased levels of blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and weight gain. ZYPREXA appears to have a greater association with increased blood sugar than some other medicines. People taking ZYPREXA should have their blood sugar checked regularly. People with diabetes or those who are at risk factors for getting diabetes who start taking ZYPREXA should have their blood sugar checked at the beginning of treatment and regularly during treatment. You may be at risk for diabetes if you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes. Diabetes is a medical condition that should be treated. |
A12: |
People taking ZYPREXA should be aware of the signs of high blood sugar. These signs include being very thirsty or hungry, needing to urinate more than usual, and feeling weak or tired. Tell your doctor if you develop signs of high blood sugar. People who develop signs of high blood sugar while taking ZYPREXA should have a fasting blood sugar test. In some cases, high blood sugar goes away when ZYPREXA is stopped. However, some people have to keep taking medicine for diabetes even after they stop taking ZYPREXA. |
A13: |
Lipids are types of fats that naturally circulate in blood and are used as a source of fuel by the body. Although lipids are necessary for the body to function normally, too much fat in the blood can increase the risk of heart disease. Types of lipids include cholesterol and triglycerides. People taking ZYPREXA may have increased levels of lipids (fats) in their blood, which is a treatable medical condition. A doctor can monitor this with simple blood tests. People taking ZYPREXA should have their lipid levels tested at the beginning of treatment and have follow-up tests during treatment. |
A14: |
Many clinical trials involving thousands of patients have evaluated the safety of ZYPREXA. More than 22 million patients have taken ZYPREXA since it became available more than 10 years ago, and it is currently on the market in 84 countries. Lilly has conducted and will continue to conduct regular safety analyses in order to provide updated information to doctors and patients to help them make the best possible treatment decisions. Risperdal®, Seroquel®, Geodon®, and Abilify® are all registered trademarks of their respective companies.
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