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Zyprexa / Olanzapine Side Effects

Bipolar Medications Library

By , About.com Guide

Updated June 19, 2006

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Catalogue of side effects for the medication Olanzapine - Zyprexa, which is used to treat schizophrenia and acute manic episodes in bipolar disorder. It is classed as an atypical antipsychotic.

Common Side Effects:

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

Constipation; dizziness; dizziness or fainting when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position; drowsiness; dryness of mouth; headache; runny nose; vision problems; weakness; weight gain

Less Common Side Effects:

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

Abdominal pain; awareness of heartbeat; decrease in sexual desire; double vision; fast heartbeat; increased appetite; increased cough; increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight; joint pain; low blood pressure; nausea; sore throat; stuttering; thirst; tightness of muscles; trouble in controlling urine; trouble in sleeping; vomiting; watering of mouth; weight loss

Always Notify Doctor:

More Common: Agitation; behavior problems; difficulty in speaking or swallowing; restlessness or need to keep moving; stiffness of arms or legs; trembling or shaking of hands and fingers

Less Common: Chest pain; fever; flu-like symptoms; inability to move eyes; lip smacking or puckering; mood or mental changes, such as anger, anxiety, giddiness, loss of memory, or nervousness; muscle spasms of face, neck, and back; puffing of cheeks; rapid or worm-like movements of tongue; swelling of feet or ankles; twitching movements; uncontrolled chewing movements; uncontrolled movements of arms and legs

Rare: Changes in menstrual period; confusion; mental or physical sluggishness; skin rash; swelling of face; trouble in breathing

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

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