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Symbyax Side Effects

Bipolar Medications Library

By Kimberly Read & Marcia Purse, About.com

Updated: June 30, 2006

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Symbyax is a combination of olanzapine, the active ingredient in Zyprexa, and fluoxetine, the active ingredient in Prozac. It is the first medication approved by the FDA the treatment of the depressive phase of bipolar disorder. Found here is a catalogue of side effects reported for this drug.

Common Side Effects Include:

    Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

  • Weight gain
  • Sleepiness
  • Diarrhea
  • Dry mouth
  • Increased appetite
  • Feeling weak
  • Swelling of your hands and feet
  • Tremors
  • Sore throat
  • Trouble concentrating

Potential Serious Side Effects:

    Medical attention is needed if any of these arise. Stop taking your medications and contact your doctor immediately. If should be noted that many of these are only detectable via specific medical tests. When taking any medication it is important to see your health care provider on a regular basis.

  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Strokes and mini-strokes
  • High blood sugar or diabetes
  • Low blood pressure
  • Seizures
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Abnormal bleeding
  • Low salt levels in the blood
  • Irregular body temperature
  • Tardive dyskinesia is a reaction to certain medications that causes uncontrollable body movements, usually with the face or tongue.
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare, but life-threatening reaction to certain medications. Symptoms include:
    • High fever
    • Sweating
    • Muscle stiffness
    • Trouble thinking clearly
    • Change in mental functioning
    • Sleepiness
    • Changes in breathing, heartbeat and blood pressure

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Bipolar Disorder

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