Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

Description

Olanzapine is a medicine used for schizophrenia among other mental illnesses. It is important to note that this medication does not treat the root cause of the disorder and only alleviates certain symptoms of the illness.

 

 

 

How It works

 

Olanzapine is an antipsychotic. Thus, it functions by affecting the chemicals, specifically neurotransmitters, in the brain. Schizophrenia is caused due to high levels of dopamine in the brain. Thus, this medication works by neutralizing the amount of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain.

 

Uses

 

The primary use of this medication is its ability to treat schizophrenia. The medication is useful in treating hallucinations. This enables the individual to take part in his or her daily life as usual. It has been reported that individuals who used Olanzapine experience less hallucinations than individuals who do not use this medication. Moreover, it is also useful in treating certain other conditions as bipolar disorder and depression.

 

Dosage

 

The dosage will be determined how bad the condition has affected you, response to the treatment and previous medical history. Your physician might prescribe you a low dosage and increase it gradually in order to reduce the risk of side effects. Do not increase your dosage without consulting your physician. This will not accelerate the healing process. Rather, it will increase the possibility of negative effects to a worse degree.

 

This medication is taken by mouth, with or without food. This medication can cause drowsiness and dizziness. Thus, take this medication in the night – unless your physician asks you to do otherwise. In order to benefit from this medication, you will need to consume it regularly. Thus, make sure to follow your dosage timetable at all times.

 

Side Effects

 

These are some of the negative effects that you might or might not go through while on treatment:

 

 Dizziness
 Drowsiness
 Back pain
 Constipation
 Dry mouth
 Increased appetite
 Nausea
 Light-headedness

 

If you undergo any of the aforementioned, contact your physician for immediate medical help.

 

Precautions

 

By adhering to the following guidelines, you can reduce the possibility of side effects to a great extent.

 

 Do not consume alcohol during the treatment period. This can increase the risk of side effects

 

 Do not stop consuming the medication abruptly. This will lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms

 

 If you miss or skip a dose, do not double it the next time. Stick to your regular timetable

 

 Do not use this medicine on elders as they are more sensitive to the side effects

 

 Take regular weight checks during the treatment period since consuming this medication will result in weight gain

 

 Take regular lab tests to keep track of your blood pressure and blood sugar levels

 

 Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration

 

Self-Care

 

Using Olanzapine can result in drowsiness. This can further impair your thinking and reactions. Thus, do not drive or operate machinery after taking your dose. Do not take part in any activity that requires concentration and focus.

 

Olanzapine can affect the health of the fetus adversely. Thus, do not consume this medication during the period of pregnancy. If you become pregnant during the treatment period, tell your doctor right away. The same applies to breastfeeding as well.