Zyprexa Velotab

Adults Schizophrenia:

The recommended starting dose for olanzapine is 10 mg/day. 1).

Preventing recurrence in bipolar disorder:

The recommended starting dose is 10 mg/day. For patients who have been receiving olanzapine for treatment of manic episode, continue therapy for preventing recurrence at the same dose. If a new manic, mixed, or depressive episode occurs, olanzapine treatment should be continued (with dose optimisation as needed), with supplementary therapy to treat mood symptoms, as clinically indicated.

During treatment for schizophrenia, manic episode and recurrence prevention in bipolar disorder, daily dosage may subsequently be adjusted on the basis of individual clinical status within the range 5- 20 mg/day. An increase to a dose greater than the recommended starting dose is advised only after appropriate clinical reassessment and should generally occur at intervals of not less than 24 hours.

Olanzapine can be given without regards for meals as absorption is not affected by food. Gradual tapering of the dose should be considered when discontinuing olanzapine. ZYPREXA VELOTAB orodispersible tablet should be placed in the mouth, where it will rapidly disperse in saliva, so it can be easily swallowed.

Removal of the intact orodispersible tablet from the mouth is difficult. Since the orodispersible tablet is fragile, it should be taken immediately on opening the blister. Alternatively, it may be dispersed in a full glass of water or other suitable beverage (orange juice, apple juice, milk or coffee) immediately before administration.

Olanzapine orodispersible tablet is bioequivalent to olanzapine coated tablets, with a similar rate and extent of absorption. It has the same dosage and frequency of administration as olanzapine coated tablets. Olanzapine orodispersible tablets may be used as an alternative to olanzapine coated tablets.

4). Renal and/or hepatic impairment A lower starting dose (5 mg) should be considered for such patients. In cases of moderate hepatic insufficiency (cirrhosis, Child-Pugh Class A or B), the starting dose should be 5 mg and only increased with caution.

4 Smokers The starting dose and dose range need not be routinely altered for non-smokers relative to smokers. The metabolism of olanzapine may be induced by smoking. 5). When more than one factor is present which might result in slower metabolism (female gender, geriatric age, non-smoking status), consideration should be given to decreasing the starting dose.

4), rash, asthenia, fatigue, pyrexia, arthralgia, increased alkaline phosphatase, high gamma glutamyltransferase, high uric acid, high creatine phosphokinase and oedema. 9 Tabulated list of adverse reactions The following table lists the adverse reactions and laboratory investigations observed from spontaneous reporting and in clinical trials.

Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

The frequency terms listed are defined as follows:

Very common (≥ 1/10), common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100), rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000), very rare (< 1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the data available). 6) Reproductive system and breast disorders Erectile dysfunction in males Decreased libido in males and females Amenorrhea Breast enlargement Galactorrhea in females Gynaecomastia/breast enlargement in males Priapism12 General disorders and administration site conditions Asthenia Fatigue Oedema Pyrexia10 11 Investigations Elevated plasma prolactin levels8 Increased alkaline phosphatase10 High creatine phosphokinase11 High Gamma Glutamyltransferase 10 High uric acid 10 Increased total bilirubin 1 Clinically significant weight gain was observed across all baseline Body Mass Index (BMI) categories.

8 %). 3 % respectively). 2 Mean increases in fasting lipid values (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides) were greater in patients without evidence of lipid dysregulation at baseline. 2 mmol/l). 2 mmol/l) were very common.

56 mmol/l) which increased to high (≥ 7 mmol/l). 56 - < 7 mmol/l) to high (≥ 7 mmol/l) were very common. 26 mmol/l). 26 mmol/l) were very common. 6 In clinical trials, the incidence of Parkinsonism and dystonia in olanzapine-treated patients was numerically higher, but not statistically significantly different from placebo.

During antipsychotic treatment, improvement in the patient's clinical condition may take several days to some weeks. Patients should be closely monitored during this period. Dementia-related psychosis and/or behavioural disturbances Olanzapine is not recommended for use in patients with dementia-related psychosis and/or behavioural disturbances because of an increase in mortality and the risk of cerebrovascular accident.

5% vs. 5 %, respectively). 4 mg) or duration of treatment. , pneumonia, with or without aspiration), or concomitant use of benzodiazepines. However, the incidence of death was higher in olanzapine-treated than in placebo-treated patients independent of these risk factors.

, stroke, transient ischemic attack), including fatalities, were reported. 3 % vs. 4 %, respectively). All olanzapine- and placebo-treated patients who experienced a cerebrovascular event had pre-existing risk factors. Age > 75 years and vascular/mixed type dementia were identified as risk factors for CVAE in association with olanzapine treatment.

The efficacy of olanzapine was not established in these trials. Parkinson's disease The use of olanzapine in the treatment of dopamine agonist associated psychosis in patients with Parkinson's disease is not recommended. 8), and olanzapine was not more effective than placebo in the treatment of psychotic symptoms.

In 5 these trials, patients were initially required to be stable on the lowest effective dose of anti- Parkinsonian medicinal products (dopamine agonist) and to remain on the same anti-Parkinsonian medicinal products and dosages throughout the study.

5 mg/day and titrated to a maximum of 15 mg/day based on investigator judgement. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) NMS is a potentially life-threatening condition associated with antipsychotic medicinal products. Rare cases reported as NMS have also been received in association with olanzapine.

1. Patients with known risk of narrow-angle glaucoma.