UKPPG Patient Information Leaflets Antipsychotics Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

							     UKPPG Patient Information
            Leaflets




             Antipsychotics
          Olanzapine (Zyprexa)




Please note: This extra leaflet has been produced with the
permission of the United Kingdom Psychiatric Pharmacy
Group (UKPPG) to compliment the patient information
leaflet you have been given.
This leaflet has been provided to give you more information about the medicine you
have been prescribed.

Olanzapine is used to treat schizophrenia, psychosis, mania and other similar
conditions.

What are the benefits of this medication?

Please see attached leaflet. Details of expected benefits are listed under the
following headings:
     • Why have I been prescribed olanzapine?
     • What exactly is olanzapine?
     • What will happen to me when I start taking my olanzapine?

What are the risks of this medication?

Please see attached leaflet. Details of expected risks are listed under the following
headings:
   • Is olanzapine safe to take?
   • What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
   • Side effects
   • What about alcohol?

Please do not hesitate to ask your prescriber for further details of the above if you
require further information


What are the alternatives?

There are other types of antipsychotics that may be prescribed. Please remember
that these other medicines do have their own side effects but they may be less
troublesome for you. The most important thing for you to do is to ask your prescriber
for alternatives if you feel your current medication does not suit you.

There are non-drug treatments that may also be available to you, instead of or
alongside any medication you have been prescribed. Two examples are listed. If you
require any further information, please do not hesitate to ask your care team. These
treatments are ones that have a strong evidence base for their use:

   •   Psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
       (NICE 2002a)
   •   Family Interventions (NICE 2002a)



                                     Date produced August 2006
                                      Approved October 2006
                                     Review date October 2007
           Produced by Jenny Blackshaw, Medication Management Nurse Specialist, MMHSCT
                                             Version 1




NICE (2002), Schizophrenia: core interventions in the treatment and management of
schizophrenia. Clinical guideline no. 1. National Institute for Clinical Excellence