Sometimes, a condition like depression may not be cured by just using one medicine. If you have experienced this, your doctor may recommend a special capsule made by combining two medicines called Olanzapine and Fluoxetine. This is a rather strong medicine. So, let's talk about everything clearly and simply.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, this is a medication that is given to treat your depression. Doctors usually prescribe it when other antidepressant medications have not worked. It is also used to treat a condition called bipolar depression.
This is actually a combination of two types of medication.
1. Olanzapine: This is a drug that belongs to the antipsychotic class.
2. Fluoxetine: This is an antidepressant that belongs to the SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) class.
These two medications work together to balance the activity of two neurotransmitters in our brains, dopamine and serotonin . These are the chemicals that help regulate things like our mood, happiness, and sleep. So when these are balanced, your mental state improves.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
This is very important. Your doctor will need to know your complete medical history before prescribing this medicine to you. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
| Disease or condition | Details to be informed |
|---|---|
| Mental health | If you or a family member has bipolar disorder. If you feel like harming yourself, have planned to do so, or have attempted to do so. |
| Heart disease and blood pressure | If you have heart disease, irregular heartbeat, stroke, high cholesterol, low blood pressure, etc. |
| Blood related problems | Bleeding disorders, conditions such as low white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets if you are taking blood-thinning medications. |
| Other illnesses | Diabetes, liver disease, seizures, glaucoma, Parkinson's disease, prostate problems, dementia. |
| Body function | Difficulty swallowing, constipation, intestinal obstruction, difficulty urinating, difficulty controlling muscles. |
| Habits and allergies | If you are a smoker, have had an allergic reaction to Olanzapine, Fluoxetine, or other medications or foods in the past. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How should I use the medicine?
- Take this capsule with a glass of water.
- Take the medicine exactly as your doctor prescribed, in the right dose, at the right time. Try to take it at the same time every day.
- This can be taken with or without food. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it after a meal.
- Continue taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop taking it suddenly, even if you feel better. Doing so may cause serious side effects.
- This medicine is sometimes given to children over the age of 10, but only the doctor can decide.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a forgotten dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, go to a hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
Most importantly: This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
When taking this medicine, you should inform your doctor about all other medicines you are taking. Some medicines can react with this medicine and cause serious conditions.
| Do not take these medications with this! | |
|---|---|
| MAOIs (e.g. Carbex, Nardil) | Linezolid, Methylene blue, Pimozide, Thioridazine |
| Other medications containing Fluoxetine or Olanzapine (e.g. Prozac, Zyprexa) | Dronedarone, Metoclopramide |
| Tell your doctor if you are using these. | |
| Alcohol | Aspirin and NSAID-type painkillers (e.g. Ibuprofen, Naproxen) |
| Medicines that prevent blood clotting (e.g. Warfarin) | Sleeping pills, other medications for mental illness |
| Some medications used for migraines | High blood pressure medication |
| Herbal supplements such as St. John's Wort | Strong painkillers like Tramadol and Fentanyl |
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about every medicine, vitamin, or herbal product you are taking.
Things to consider when taking medication
- See your doctor regularly: Go to the clinic on scheduled days to check how you are doing. If your symptoms don't improve or get worse, let us know.
- Serious skin reactions: Some people may develop serious skin reactions several weeks after starting this medicine. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop red or purple spots on your skin, along with fever and body aches, that later blister and start to peel.
- Suicidal thoughts: This is very important. Some people may experience increased depression and thoughts of harming themselves when they first start taking the medication or after changing the dosage.
The patient and family should be vigilant about this. If you notice a sudden change in mood, such as anxiety, feeling anxious, getting angry easily, or having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor immediately.
- Blood sugar levels: This medicine may increase blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels regularly.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: You may feel drowsy or dizzy. So , do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Be careful when getting up from a sitting position, especially if you are elderly.
- Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medication. It can interfere with the effectiveness of the medication and make drowsiness worse.
- Dry mouth: Dry mouth is normal . This can be controlled by things like chewing sugar-free gum and drinking more water.
- Body temperature:This medicine may affect the body's ability to regulate temperature. This means that the body's ability to tolerate extreme cold or extreme heat may be reduced. Therefore, avoid exercising in hot areas and staying in the sun. If the weather is cold, wear warm clothes.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medication, this can cause side effects. Be aware of the symptoms below.
| If you have these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Bleeding | Black or bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, and blood spots on the skin. |
| Changes in heart rate | Rapid heartbeat, chest pain, dizziness, feeling faint. |
| Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome | High fever, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, and confusion. |
| Serotonin Syndrome | Anxiety, confusion, rapid heartbeat, muscle twitching, high fever, vomiting, diarrhea. |
| Stroke symptoms | Numbness or weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking. |
| Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) | Uncontrolled movement of body parts, tremors, and an unusual pattern in walking. |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Drowsiness | Dry mouth |
| Increased appetite | Weight gain |
| Changes in sexual desire or function | Feeling tired |
How to store and dispose of medicine?
- Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets .
- Store at room temperature (between 15-30 Celsius), away from moisture and sunlight, and keep the bottle tightly closed.
- When disposing of expired or no longer needed medications, mix them with something like cat litter or coffee grounds before putting them in the trash, put them in a bag, seal it well, and dispose of them.
Take-Home Message
- This is a powerful medicine, so always take the prescribed dosage as prescribed by your doctor.
- Even if you feel better, do not stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking.
- Be on the lookout for symptoms like severe skin reactions, suicidal thoughts, and abnormal heart rhythms. If you notice any of these, seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking the medication. Be very careful when driving and doing tasks that require attention.
- This medication can be a great help to your mental well-being. Therefore, it is very important to talk openly with your doctor and follow his advice.
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