Should we be aware of Olanzapine Extended-Release Injection?

You or someone you know may have been told by a doctor about a medication called Olanzapine. Or you may be looking into it. This medication is used to treat mental health conditions. So, let's talk about it in a simple way that you can understand.

What is this Olanzapine injection?

Simply put, OLANZAPINE is a medication used to treat mental health conditions such as schizophrenia . Our brains contain two chemicals called dopamine and serotonin. These help control our mood, behavior, and thoughts. Olanzapine works by balancing the levels of these chemicals. It belongs to a class of medications called antipsychotics. These types of antipsychotic medications are used to treat a variety of mental health conditions.

Sometimes this medicine can be used for other conditions, so if you have any questions, it's best to ask your doctor or pharmacist.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S) of this medicine: `Zyprexa Relprevv`

What are the things you need to tell your medical team before starting this medication?

Before you start taking this medicine, it's important that your healthcare team (doctors and nurses) are aware of these things so they can treat you safely and appropriately. See if these things apply to you:

• Do you have a condition like `Blockage in your bowel` ?
• Are you a cigarette smoker ?
• Do you often suffer from constipation ?
• Do you have dementia ( memory loss)?
• Do you have diabetes ?
• Do you have difficulty swallowing ?
• Do you have glaucoma ?
• Do you have trouble controlling your muscles ?
• Do you have heart disease ?
• Do you have high cholesterol ?
• Are your prolactin levels elevated ?
• Have you had a history of breast cancer ?
• Is there a history of irregular heartbeat ?
• Have you had a previous stroke ?
• Do you have liver disease ?
• Do you have low blood counts ( e.g. low white blood cells, platelets, or red blood cells)?
• Do you have low blood pressure?
• Do you have Parkinson's disease ?
• Is there prostate disease ?
• Do you have seizures such as epilepsy ?
• Have you had any suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts ? Have you or anyone in your family ever tried to do so?
• Do you have trouble passing urine ?
• Have you had an unusual or allergic reaction to olanzapine, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives?
• Are you pregnant or trying to get pregnant ?
• Are you breastfeeding ?

Not only these things, but you should also inform your doctor about any other medications, vitamins, or traditional medicines you are taking.

How should I use this medicine?

This is not a medicine that you can take at home. It is given as an injection into a muscle by your healthcare team. This means it is given by a doctor or a trained nurse. It is given at regular intervals . Do not stop taking this treatment until your healthcare team tells you to.

Before each treatment, you will be given a special instruction leaflet (`MedGuide`) . It is very important to read and understand the details in it carefully each time.

If you are giving this medicine to children, talk to your medical team about it. Special care may be needed.

Important: This medicine is for you only. Never share it with anyone else.

What to do if you take too much medicine?

If you think you have overdosed, go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately or call a poison control center.

What if I miss the scheduled vaccination date?

If you miss the scheduled time or day of your vaccination, call your medical team as soon as possible and let them know.

What other things can interact with this medicine? (Drug Interactions)

Some medicines can cause problems when taken with this medicine. So give your doctor a complete list of all the medicines you take, including herbal medicines, non-prescription drugs, and dietary supplements. Also tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some things can interact with your medicine.

Do not take this Olanzapine injection with any of the following medicines:

• Dronedarone
• Cisapride
• Metoclopramide
• Pimozide
• Thioridazine

This medicine may also interact with the following:

• Alcohol
• Some medications for allergies, coughs, and colds (e.g., antihistamines)
• Atropine
• Carbamazepine
• Some medications for anxiety or sleep
• Some medications for bladder problems (e.g., oxybutynin, tolterodine)
• Some medications for depression (e.g. amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline)
• Some medicines for stomach problems (e.g. dicyclomine, hyoscyamine)
• Medicines for motion sickness (e.g., scopolamine)
• Fluvoxamine
• Anesthetics (e.g., halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol)
• Levodopa or other medications for Parkinson's disease
• Blood pressure medication
• Medicine for seizures
• Muscle relaxants for surgery
• Narcotic medications for pain
• Omeprazole
• Other medications that can cause heart rhythm abnormalities (`QT interval`)
• Phenothiazines (e.g. chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine)
• Rifampin

This list may not be complete, so it's safest to tell your doctor about everything you're taking.

What special precautions should be taken when taking this medicine?

Your medical team will monitor you closely while you are taking this medicine. Tell your medical team if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

This is very important: After you have been injected, you need to stay in the clinic where you were injected for at least 3 hours . Do you know what that means? The medical team wants to see if you have any symptoms of a condition called Post-injection Delirium Sedation Syndrome (PDSS). PDSS is a serious condition . It happens when the medicine gets into your bloodstream too quickly. Some of the symptoms of PDSS are:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Confusion (not knowing what is happening)
• Difficulty speaking or walking
• Convulsion
• Muscle stiffness or tremors
• Feeling weak
• Feeling anxious or angry
• Loss of consciousness or fainting
• Changes in blood pressure

When you leave the clinic, someone must be with you.If you develop symptoms of PDSS after leaving the clinic or hospital, seek medical help immediately .

Do not drive or operate heavy machinery for the rest of the day after the injection. You may feel dizzy or drowsy. Do not stand or sit up suddenly, especially if you are elderly. This can reduce dizziness and fainting. Alcohol can interfere with the way this medicine works. So avoid drinking alcohol.

This medicine can cause serious skin reactions in some people. These can happen even weeks after you start taking the medicine. Tell your healthcare team right away if you get a rash with a fever and cold-like symptoms. These rashes may appear red or purple, then blister and peel. Also, tell your doctor if you have a red rash with swelling of the face or lips, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.

This medicine may increase blood sugar levels . If you have diabetes, ask your healthcare team if you need to make any changes to your diet or medications.

You may have dry mouth . You can help manage this by chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on a piece of gum, and drinking plenty of water. If this problem persists or becomes severe, tell your healthcare team.

This medicine may make it harder for you to regulate your body temperature . It can make your body less responsive to cold weather. If possible, stay indoors on cold days. If you have to go outside, wear warm clothes. It can also make your body less responsive to heat. So don't let your body get too hot. Don't exercise too much. Stay out of the sun as much as possible. If you have to be in the sun, wear clothes that are breathable. Drink plenty of water. If you feel like you're having trouble regulating your body temperature, call your medical team right away.

If you are a smoker , tell your healthcare team if you feel this medicine is not working as well. If you are a smoker or are thinking about quitting, talk to your healthcare team about it.

What side effects can this medicine cause?

Like all medications, this one can have some side effects, but not everyone gets them.

Side effects that should be reported to the doctor or medical team immediately:

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should report them without delay :

• Allergic reactions: Skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia): Excessive thirst or urination, unusual weakness or fatigue, blurred vision.
• High fever, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, and confusion: These can be signs of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
• High prolactin levels: Unexpected growth of breast tissue, nipple discharge, change in sexual desire or function, irregular menstrual cycles.
• Infection: Fever, chills, cough, or sore throat.
• Low blood pressure: dizziness, fainting, blue eyes.
• Pain or trouble swallowing.
• Post-injection sedation syndrome: Dizziness, drowsiness, slurred speech, confusion, agitation, restlessness, difficulty walking, loss of balance, unusual weakness or fatigue.
• Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression.
• Uncontrolled and repetitive body movements, muscle stiffness or twitching, tremors, loss of balance, restlessness, shuffling gait: these can be signs of `extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)`.

Symptoms that usually do not require medical advice (but notify the medical team if they persist or are bothersome):

These usually subside within a few days, but if they persist or bother you, tell your doctor.

• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Nausea
• Weight gain

This list does not include all possible side effects. Talk to your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Where should I keep this medicine?

You will not be allowed to take this medicine home. This is something that is given at a hospital or clinic, so you do not need to keep it at home.

Finally, things to remember

Okay, so now you have some idea about the long-acting olanzapine vaccine. The most important thing is to talk openly with your doctor or a member of your medical team about any questions or concerns you may have. They are the ones who can best help you.

Remember, this information is for your information only. It is not medical advice. Always follow the advice of your doctor.

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

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