Olanzapine and Fluoxetine

Generic name: Olanzapine and Fluoxetine [ oh-LAN-za-peen-& floo-OKS-e-teen ]
Brand name: Symbyax
Drug class: Psychotherapeutic combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 1, 2024.

Uses of Olanzapine and Fluoxetine:

• It is used to treat low mood (depression).
• It is used to treat bipolar problems.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Olanzapine and Fluoxetine?

• If you are allergic to olanzapine and fluoxetine; any part of olanzapine and fluoxetine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Linezolid, methylene blue, pimozide, or thioridazine.
• If you have taken certain drugs for depression or Parkinson's disease in the last 14 days. This includes isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, or rasagiline. Very high blood pressure may happen.
• If you are taking another drug that has the same drug in it.
• If you are taking any drugs that can cause a certain type of heartbeat that is not normal (prolonged QT interval). There are many drugs that can do this. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take olanzapine and fluoxetine.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with olanzapine and fluoxetine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take olanzapine and fluoxetine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Olanzapine and Fluoxetine?

• High blood sugar or diabetes, high cholesterol, and weight gain have happened with drugs like this one. These may raise the chance of heart and brain blood vessel disease.
• Dizziness, sleepiness, and feeling less stable may happen with olanzapine and fluoxetine. These may lead to falling, which can cause broken bones or other health problems.
• This medicine may raise the chance of bleeding. Very bad and sometimes deadly bleeding events can happen. Call your doctor right away if you have any bruising or bleeding.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly reactions along with a rash have rarely happened with olanzapine and fluoxetine. Lung, kidney, or liver problems have also happened. Call your doctor right away if you have a change in the amount of urine passed, dark urine, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, yellow skin or eyes, or shortness of breath.
• Some people may get a severe muscle problem called tardive dyskinesia. This problem may lessen or go away after stopping olanzapine and fluoxetine, but it may not go away. The risk is greater with diabetes and in older adults, especially older women. The risk is greater with longer use or higher doses, but it may also occur after short-term use with low doses. Call your doctor right away if you have trouble controlling body movements or problems with your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw like tongue sticking out, puffing cheeks, mouth puckering, or chewing.
• Some people may have a higher chance of eye problems with olanzapine and fluoxetine. Your doctor may want you to have an eye exam to see if you have a higher chance of these eye problems. Call your doctor right away if you have eye pain, change in eyesight, or swelling or redness in or around the eye.
• A very bad and sometimes deadly health problem called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) may happen. Call your doctor right away if you have any fever, muscle cramps or stiffness, dizziness, very bad headache, confusion, change in thinking, fast heartbeat, heartbeat that does not feel normal, or are sweating a lot.
• This medicine can cause low sodium levels. Very low sodium levels can be life-threatening, leading to seizures, passing out, trouble breathing, or death.
• If you are 65 or older, use olanzapine and fluoxetine with care. You could have more side effects.
• Older adults with dementia taking drugs like this one have had a higher number of strokes. Sometimes these have been deadly. This medicine is not approved to treat mental problems caused by dementia.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using olanzapine and fluoxetine while you are pregnant.
• Taking olanzapine and fluoxetine in the third trimester of pregnancy may lead to uncontrolled muscle movements and withdrawal in the newborn.

How is this medicine (Olanzapine and Fluoxetine) best taken?

Use olanzapine and fluoxetine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take in the evening.
• Take with or without food.
• Keep taking olanzapine and fluoxetine as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• Tell all of your health care providers that you take olanzapine and fluoxetine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how olanzapine and fluoxetine affects you.
• To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
• Be careful in hot weather or while being active. Drink lots of fluids to stop fluid loss.
• Do not stop taking olanzapine and fluoxetine all of a sudden without calling your doctor. You may have a greater risk of side effects. If you need to stop olanzapine and fluoxetine, you will want to slowly stop it as ordered by your doctor.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking olanzapine and fluoxetine.
• Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Related/similar drugs

sertraline, trazodone, quetiapine, lamotrigine, Lexapro, citalopram, aripiprazole, Zoloft, Abilify, Seroquel

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, more thirst, more hungry, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
• Signs of low sodium levels like headache, trouble focusing, memory problems, feeling confused, weakness, seizures, or change in balance.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Swelling.
• Enlarged breasts, nipple discharge, not able to get or keep an erection (in males), or period (menstrual) changes (in females).
• Not sweating during activities or in warm temperatures.
• Trouble passing urine.
• Swollen gland.
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• Erection that lasts more than 4 hours.
• A severe and sometimes deadly problem called serotonin syndrome may happen. The risk may be greater if you also take certain other drugs. Call your doctor right away if you have agitation; change in balance; confusion; hallucinations; fever; fast or abnormal heartbeat; flushing; muscle twitching or stiffness; seizures; shivering or shaking; sweating a lot; severe diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up; or very bad headache.
• A type of abnormal heartbeat (prolonged QT interval) can happen with olanzapine and fluoxetine. Call your doctor right away if you have a fast heartbeat, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, or if you pass out.
• Low white blood cell counts have happened with drugs like this one. This may lead to a higher chance of infection. Rarely, infections have been deadly. Tell your doctor if you have ever had a low white blood cell count. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection like fever, chills, or sore throat.

What are some other side effects of Olanzapine and Fluoxetine?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Dry mouth.
• Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
• More hungry.
• Weight gain.
• Shakiness.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Olanzapine and Fluoxetine?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time olanzapine and fluoxetine is refilled. If you have any questions about olanzapine and fluoxetine, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer