e& Afghanistan
HomeDoctorsAppointmentsHealthProfile
ENدریپښتو
Sign in

e& Afghanistan

See a doctor from your phone — video, voice or chat, in your language.

A digital health service from e& Afghanistan. General health information only — it does not replace a visit to a doctor.

Legal

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

© 2026 e& Afghanistan. All rights reserved.

  • Home
  • Doctors
  • Appointments
  • Health
  • Profile
Antipsychotics

Olanzapine

Also sold as: Zyprexa, Oleanz

Prescription neededAntipsychotics
Comes as:Tablet

Usual adult dose

Dose is set by your doctor. It is usually taken once a day, between 5 mg and 20 mg.

Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.

Side effects

Common

  • drowsiness
  • big increase in appetite and weight
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth
  • constipation

Serious — get help

Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:

  • high blood sugar (great thirst
  • passing a lot of urine)
  • high fever with stiff muscles and confusion
  • seizures
  • fainting

Do not take it, or take care, if

  • Older people with dementia
  • Narrow-angle glaucoma (use with caution)
  • Diabetes or overweight (blood sugar and weight should be checked)
  • Enlarged prostate (use with caution)

Interactions

Medicines that can react with this one.

Moderate3 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Carbamazepine

    Carbamazepine lowers olanzapine levels, so it may work less well.

  • Diazepam

    Together they increase drowsiness and can lower blood pressure.

  • Levodopa + Carbidopa

    Olanzapine can reduce the effect of levodopa.

Pregnancy

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. X

Category C

A risk to the baby cannot be ruled out. Use only if your doctor says the benefit is greater than the risk.

Generic alternatives

Similar medicines your doctor or pharmacist may offer instead.

  • Risperidone
  • Quetiapine
  • Aripiprazole
  • Haloperidol
Check with my other medicines

Always follow your doctor or pharmacistThis page is general information, not a prescription. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.