Olanzapin Sandoz
Package leaflet: Information for the patient
Olanzapin Sandoz 2.5 mg film-coated tablets
Olanzapin Sandoz 5 mg film-coated tablets
Olanzapin Sandoz 7.5 mg film-coated tablets
Olanzapin Sandoz 10 mg film-coated tablets
Olanzapin Sandoz 15 mg film-coated tablets
Olanzapin Sandoz 20 mg film-coated tablets
olanzapine
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
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Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
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If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
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This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
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If you get any side effects talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Olanzapin Sandoz is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Olanzapin Sandoz
3. How to take Olanzapin Sandoz
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Olanzapin Sandoz
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Olanzapin Sandoz is and what it is used for
Olanzapin Sandoz contains the active substance olanzapine. Itbelongs to a group of medicines called antipsychotics and is used to treat the following conditions:
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Schizophrenia, a disease with symptoms such as hearing, seeing or sensing things which are not there, mistaken beliefs, unusual suspiciousness, and becoming withdrawn. People with this disease may also feel depressed, anxious or tense.
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Moderate to severe manic episodes, a condition with symptoms of excitement or euphoria.
Olanzapin Sandoz has been shown to prevent recurrence of these symptoms in patients with bipolar disorder whose manic episode has responded to olanzapine treatment.
2. What you need to know before you take Olanzapin Sandoz
Do not take Olanzapin Sandoz
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If you are allergic to olanzapine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). An allergic reaction may be recognised as a rash, itching, a swollen face, swollen lips or shortness of breath. If this has happened to you, tell your doctor.
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If you have been previously diagnosed with eye problems such as certain kinds of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye).
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you takeOlanzapinSandoz.
The use of Olanzapin Sandoz in elderly patients with dementia is not recommended as it may have serious side effects.
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Medicines of this type may cause unusual movements mainly of the face or tongue. If this happens after you have been given Olanzapin Sandoz tell your doctor.
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Rarely, medicines of this type cause a combination of fever, faster breathing, sweating, muscle stiffness and drowsiness or sleepiness. If this happens, contact your doctor at once.
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Weight gain has been seen in patients taking Olanzapin Sandoz. You and your doctor should check your weight regularly. Consider referral to a dietician or help with a diet plan if necessary.
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High blood sugar and high levels of fat (triglycerides and cholesterol) have been seen in patients taking Olanzapin Sandoz. Your doctor should do blood tests to check blood sugar and certain fat levels before you start taking Olanzapin Sandoz and regularly during treatment.
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Tell the doctor if you or someone else in your family has a history of blood clots, as medicines like these have been associated with the formation of blood clots.
If you suffer from any of the following illnesses tell your doctor as soon as possible:
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Stroke or “mini” stroke (temporary symptoms of stroke)
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Parkinson’s disease
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Prostate problems
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A blocked intestine (Paralytic ileus)
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Liver or kidney disease
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Blood disorders
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Heart disease
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Diabetes
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Seizures
If you suffer from dementia, you or your carer/relative should tell your doctor if you have ever had a stroke or "mini" stroke.
As a routine precaution, if you are over 65 years your blood pressure may be monitored by your doctor.
Children and adolescents
Olanzapin Sandoz is not for patients who are under 18 years.
Other medicines and Olanzapin Sandoz
Only take other medicines while you are on Olanzapin Sandoz if your doctor tells you that you can. You might feel drowsy if Olanzapin Sandoz is taken in combination with antidepressants or medicines taken for anxiety or to help you sleep (tranquillisers).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
In particular tell your doctor ifyou are taking:
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medicines for Parkinson’s disease ,
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carbamazepine (an anti-epileptic and mood stabiliser), fluvoxamine (an antidepressant) or ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic) - it may be necessary to change your Olanzapin Sandoz dose
Olanzapin Sandoz with alcohol
Do not drink any alcohol if you have been given Olanzapin Sandoz as together with alcohol it may make you feel drowsy.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
You should not be given this medicine when breast-feeding, as small amounts of Olanzapin Sandoz can pass into breast milk.
The following symptoms may occur in newborn babies, of mothers who have used Olanzapin Sandozin the last trimester (last three months of their pregnancy): shaking, muscle stiffness and/or weakness, sleepiness, agitation, breathing problems, and difficulty in feeding. If your baby develops any of these symptoms you may need to contact your doctor.
Driving and using machines
There is a risk of feeling drowsy when you are given Olanzapin Sandoz. If this happens do not drive or operate any tools or machines. Tell your doctor.
Olanzapin Sandoz contains lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
3. How to take Olanzapin Sandoz
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Your doctor will tell you how many Olanzapin Sandoz tablets to take and how long you should continue to take them. The daily dose of Olanzapin Sandoz is between 5 mg and 20 mg.
Consult your doctor if your symptoms return but do not stop taking Olanzapin Sandoz unless your doctor tells you to.
You should take your Olanzapin Sandoz tablets once a day following the advice of your doctor. Try to take your tablets at the same time each day. It does not matter whether you take them with or without food. Olanzapin Sandoz film-coated tablets are for oral use. You should swallow the Olanzapin Sandoz tablets with water.
If you take more Olanzapin Sandoz than you should
Patients who have taken more Olanzapin Sandoz than they should, have experienced the following symptoms: rapid beating of the heart, agitation/aggressiveness, problems with speech, unusual movements (especially of the face or tongue) and reduced level of consciousness. Other symptoms may be: acute confusion, seizures (epilepsy), coma, a combination of fever, faster breathing, sweating, muscle stiffness and drowsiness or sleepiness, slowing of the breathing rate, aspiration, high blood pressure or low blood pressure, abnormal rhythms of the heart. Contact your doctor or hospital straight away if you experience any of the above symptoms. Show the doctor your pack of tablets.
If you forget to take Olanzapin Sandoz
Take your tablets as soon as you remember. Do not take two doses in one day.
If you stop taking Olanzapin Sandoz
Do not stop taking your tablets just because you feel better. It is important that you carry on taking Olanzapin Sandoz for as long as your doctor tells you.
If you suddenly stop taking Olanzapin Sandoz, symptoms such as sweating, unable to sleep, tremor, anxiety or nausea and vomiting might occur. Your doctor may suggest you to reduce the dose gradually before stopping treatment.
If you have any further questions on the use of thismedicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines,this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Tell your doctor immediately if you have:
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Unusual movement (a common side effect that may affect up to 1 in 10 people) mainly of the face or tongue
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Blood clots in the veins (an uncommon side effect that may affect up to 1 in 100 people) especially in the legs (symptoms include swelling, pain, and redness in the leg), which may travel through blood vessels to the lungs causing chest pain and difficulty in breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms seek medical advice immediately.
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A combination of fever, faster breathing, sweating, muscle stiffness and drowsiness or sleepiness (a rare side effect that may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people).
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) include:
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Weight gain
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Sleepiness
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Increases in the levels of prolactin in the blood
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In the early stages of treatment, some people may feel dizzy or faint (with a slow heart rate), especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position. This will usually pass on its own but if it does not, tell your doctor.
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:
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Changes in the levels of some blood cells and circulating fats
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Temporary increases in liver enzymes, especially early in treatment
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Increases in the level of sugars in the blood and urine
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Increases in levels of uric acid and creatine phosphokinase in the blood
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Feeling more hungry
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Dizziness
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Restlessness
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Tremor
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Unusual movements (dyskinesias)
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Constipation
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Dry mouth
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Rash
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Loss of strength
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Extreme tiredness
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Water retention leading to swelling of the hands, ankles or feet
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Fever
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Joint pain
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Sexual dysfunctions such as decreased libido in males and females or erectile dysfunction in males
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:
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Hypersensitivity (e.g. swelling in the mouth and throat, itching, rash)
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Diabetes or the worsening of diabetes, occasionally associated with ketoacidosis (ketones in the blood and urine) or coma
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Seizures, usually associated with a history of seizures (epilepsy)
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Muscle stiffness or spasms (including eye movements)
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Problems with speech
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Slow heart rate
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Sensitivity to sunlight
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Bleeding from the nose
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Abdominal distension
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Memory loss or forgetfulness
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Urinary incontinence, lack of ability to urinate
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Hair loss
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Absence or decrease in menstrual periods
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Changes in breasts in males and females such as an abnormal production of breast milk or abnormal growth
Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) include:
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Lowering of normal body temperature
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Abnormal rhythms of the heart
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Sudden unexplained death
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Inflammation of the pancreas causing severe stomach pain, fever and sickness
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Liver disease appearing as yellowing of the skin and white parts of the eyes
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Muscle disease presenting as unexplained aches and pains
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Prolonged and/or painful erection
Very rare side effects include serious allergic reactions such as Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS). DRESS appears initially as flu-like symptoms with a rash on the face and then with an extended rash, high temperature, enlarged lymph nodes, increased levels of liver enzymes seen in blood tests and an increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophilia).
While taking olanzapine, elderly patients with dementia may suffer from stroke, pneumonia, urinary incontinence, falls, extreme tiredness, visual hallucinations, a rise in body temperature, redness of the skin and have trouble walking. Some fatal cases have been reported in this particular group of patients.
In patients with Parkinson's disease Olanzapin Sandoz may worsen the symptoms.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Olanzapine SANDOZ
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not usethis medicineafter the expiry date which is stated on the carton and on the blister/label of the HDPE-bottleafter EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Blister/HDPE bottles before first opening: This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
HDPE bottle after first opening: Do not use Olanzapin Sandoz after 6 months have elapsed from opening of the HDPE-bottle.Do not store above 25C.
Do not throw awayany medicinesviawastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicinesyou no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Olanzapin Sandoz contains
The active substance is olanzapine.
Each film-coated tablet contains either 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg or 20 mg of olanzapine.
The other ingredients are
Tablet core: lactose monohydrate, hydroxypropylcellulose, crospovidone, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate
Tablet coat: polyvinyl alcohol, macrogol 3350, titanium dioxide (E 171), talc
In addition for Olanzapin Sandoz 15 mg film-coated tablets: indigo carmine (E 132).
In addition for Olanzapin Sandoz 20 mg film-coated tablets: iron oxide red (E 172).
What Olanzapin Sandoz looks like and contents of the pack
Olanzapin Sandoz 2.5 mg film-coated tablets are white and round (6.5 mm diameter).
Olanzapin Sandoz 5 mg film-coated tablets are white and round (8 mm diameter) with a breaking notch on one side. The film-coated tablets can be divided into equal doses.
Olanzapin Sandoz 7.5 mg film-coated tablets are white and round (9 mm diameter).
Olanzapin Sandoz 10 mg film-coated tablets are white and round (10 mm diameter) with a breaking notch on one side. The film-coated tablets can be divided into equal doses.
Olanzapin Sandoz 15 mg film-coated tablets are light blue and oval (12 mm length) with a breaking notch on both sides. The film-coated tablets can be divided into equal doses.
Olanzapin Sandoz 20 mg film-coated tablets are pink and oval (13 mm length) with a breaking notch on both sides. The film-coated tablets can be divided into equal doses.
Olanzapin Sandoz is available in blisterpacks containing 7, 10, 14, 20, 28, 30, 35, 50, 56, 60, 70, 98, 100 or 500 film-coated tablets and in HDPE-bottles containing 50, 100, 250 or 500 film-coated tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
[To be completed nationally]
This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names:
Austria:
Olanzapin Sandoz 2,5 mg - Filmtabletten
Olanzapin Sandoz 5 mg - Filmtabletten
Olanzapin Sandoz 7,5 mg - Filmtabletten
Olanzapin Sandoz 10 mg - Filmtabletten
Olanzapin Sandoz 15 mg - Filmtabletten
Olanzapin Sandoz 20 mg - Filmtabletten
Belgium:
Olanzapine Sandoz 5 mg filmomhulde tabletten
Olanzapine Sandoz 7.5 mg filmomhulde tabletten
Olanzapine Sandoz 10 mg filmomhulde tabletten
Czech Republic:
Olanzapin Sandoz 10 mg
Denmark:
Olanzapin “Sandoz”
Estonia:
Olanzapine Sandoz 5mg
Olanzapine Sandoz 10mg
Finland:
Olanzapin Sandoz 2,5 mg tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Olanzapin Sandoz 5 mg tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Olanzapin Sandoz 7,5 mg tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Olanzapin Sandoz 10 mg tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Olanzapin Sandoz 15 mg tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Olanzapin Sandoz 20 mg tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
France:
OLANZAPINE Sandoz 5 mg, comprimé pelliculé
OLANZAPINE Sandoz 7,5 mg, comprimé pelliculé
OLANZAPINE Sandoz 10 mg, comprimé pelliculé
Greece:
Olanzapin/Sandoz
Hungary:
Olanzapin Sandoz 5 mg filmtabletta
Olanzapin Sandoz 10 mg filmtabletta
Olanzapin Sandoz 15 mg filmtabletta
Olanzapin Sandoz 20 mg filmtabletta
Iceland:
Olanzapin Sandoz5 mg filmuhúðaðar töflur
Olanzapin Sandoz 10 mg filmuhúðaðar töflur
OLANZAPIN SANDOZ
Italy:
OLANZAPINA Sandoz
OLANZAPINA Sandoz
OLANZAPINA Sandoz
Malta:
Olanzapine Sandoz 5mg Film-coated Tablets
Olanzapine Sandoz 10mg Film-coated Tablets
Netherlands:
Olanzapine Sandoz 2,5 mg, filmomhulde tabletten
Olanzapine Sandoz 5 mg, filmomhulde tabletten
Olanzapine Sandoz 10 mg, filmomhulde tabletten
Olanzapine Sandoz 15 mg, filmomhulde tabletten
Olanzapine Sandoz 20 mg, filmomhulde tabletten
Norway:
Olanzapin Sandoz2,5 mg filmdrasjerte tabletter
Olanzapin Sandoz 5 mg filmdrasjerte tabletter
Olanzapin Sandoz 7,5 mg filmdrasjerte tabletter
Olanzapin Sandoz 10 mg filmdrasjerte tabletter
Olanzapin Sandoz 15 mg filmdrasjerte tabletter
Olanzapin Sandoz 20 mg filmdrasjerte tabletter
Spain:
Olanzapina Sandoz 2,5 mg comprimidos recubiertos con película EFG
Olanzapina Sandoz 5 mg comprimidos recubiertos con película EFG
Olanzapina Sandoz 7,5 mg comprimidos recubiertos con película EFG
Olanzapina Sandoz 10 mg comprimidos recubiertos con película EFG
Sweden:
Olanzapin Sandoz
United Kingdom:
Olanzapine Sandoz 2.5 mg Film-coated Tablets
Olanzapine Sandoz 5 mg Film-coated Tablets
Olanzapine Sandoz 7.5 mg Film-coated Tablets
Olanzapine Sandoz 10 mg Film-coated Tablets
Olanzapine Sandoz 15 mg Film-coated Tablets
Olanzapine Sandoz 20 mg Film-coated Tablets
This leaflet was last revised in
2016-08-19