5.6 Weight Gain
Potential consequences
of weight gain should be considered prior to starting olanzapine. Patients
receiving olanzapine should receive regular monitoring of weight [see Patient Counseling Information (17.6)].
Olanzapine Monotherapy in Adults — In an analysis of 13
placebo-controlled olanzapine monotherapy studies, olanzapine-treated patients
gained an average of 2.6 kg (5.7 lb) compared to an average 0.3 kg (0.6 lb)
weight loss in placebo-treated patients with a median exposure of 6 weeks; 22.2%
of olanzapine-treated patients gained at least 7% of their baseline weight,
compared to 3% of placebo-treated patients, with a median exposure of 8 weeks;
4.2% of olanzapine-treated patients gained at least 15% of their baseline
weight, compared to 0.3% of placebo-treated patients, with a median exposure of
12 weeks. Clinically significant weight gain was observed across all baseline
Body Mass Index (BMI) categories. Discontinuation due to weight gain occurred in
0.2% of olanzapine-treated patients and in 0% of placebo-treated patients.
In long-term studies (at least 48
weeks), the mean weight gain was 5.6 kg (12.3 lb) (median exposure of 573 days,
N=2021). The percentages of patients who gained at least 7%, 15%, or 25% of
their baseline body weight with long-term exposure were 64%, 32%, and 12%,
respectively. Discontinuation due to weight gain occurred in 0.4% of
olanzapine-treated patients following at least 48 weeks of exposure.
Table 6 includes
data on adult weight gain with olanzapine pooled from 86 clinical trials. The
data in each column represent data for those patients who completed treatment
periods of the durations specified.
Table 6: Weight Gain with Olanzapine Use in Adults Amount Gained kg (lb) | 6
Weeks (N=7465) (%) | 6
Months (N=4162) (%) | 12
Months (N=1345) (%) | 24
Months (N=474) (%) | 36
Months (N=147) (%) |
| less than or equal to 0 | 26.2 | 24.3 | 20.8 | 23.2 | 17.0 |
| 0 to less than or equal to 5 (0-11 lb) | 57.0 | 36.0 | 26.0 | 23.4 | 25.2 |
| greater than 5 to less than or equal to 10 (11-22 lb)
| 14.9 | 24.6 | 24.2 | 24.1 | 18.4 |
| greater than 10 to less than or equal to 15 (22-33 lb)
| 1.8 | 10.9 | 14.9 | 11.4 | 17.0 |
| greater than 15 to less than or equal to 20 (33-44 lb)
| 0.1 | 3.1 | 8.6 | 9.3 | 11.6 |
| greater than 20 to less than or equal to 25 (44-55 lb)
| 0 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 5.1 | 4.1 |
| greater than 25 to less than or equal to 30 (55-66 lb)
| 0 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 4.8 |
| greater than 30 (greater than 66 lb) | 0 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 2 |
Olanzapine Monotherapy in Adolescents — The safety and
efficacy of olanzapine have not been established in patients under the age of 13
years. Mean increase in weight in adolescents was greater than in adults. In 4
placebo-controlled trials, discontinuation due to weight gain occurred in 1% of
olanzapine-treated patients, compared to 0% of placebo-treated patients.
Table 7: Weight Gain with Olanzapine Use in Adolescents from 4
Placebo-Controlled Trials
| Olanzapine-treated patients | Placebo-treated patients |
| Mean change in body weight
from baseline (median exposure = 3 weeks) | 4.6 kg (10.1 lb) | 0.3 kg (0.7 lb) |
| Percentage of
patients who gained at least 7% of baseline body weight | 40.6% | 9.8% |
| (median exposure to 7% = 4 weeks)
| (median exposure to 7% = 8 weeks)
|
| Percentage of
patients who gained at least 15% of baseline body weight | 7.1% | 2.7% |
| (median exposure to 15% =
19 weeks) | (median exposure to 15% = 8
weeks) |
In long-term studies (at least 24
weeks), the mean weight gain was 11.2 kg (24.6 lb); (median exposure of 201
days, N=179). The percentages of adolescents who gained at least 7%, 15%, or 25%
of their baseline body weight with long-term exposure were 89%, 55%, and 29%,
respectively. Among adolescent patients, mean weight gain by baseline BMI
category was 11.5 kg (25.3 lb), 12.1 kg (26.6 lb), and 12.7 kg (27.9 lb),
respectively, for normal (N=106), overweight (N=26) and obese (N=17).
Discontinuation due to weight gain occurred in 2.2% of olanzapine-treated
patients following at least 24 weeks of exposure.
Table 8 shows
data on adolescent weight gain with olanzapine pooled from 6 clinical trials.
The data in each column represent data for those patients who completed
treatment periods of the durations specified. Little clinical trial data is
available on weight gain in adolescents with olanzapine beyond 6 months of
treatment.
Table 8: Weight Gain with Olanzapine Use in Adolescents Amount Gained kg (lb) | 6
Weeks (N=243) (%) | 6
Months (N=191) (%) |
| less than or equal to 0 | 2.9 | 2.1 |
| 0 to less than or equal to 5 (0-11 lb) | 47.3 | 24.6 |
| greater than 5 to less than or equal to 10 (11-22 lb)
| 42.4 | 26.7 |
| greater than 10 to less than or equal to 15 (22-33 lb)
| 5.8 | 22.0 |
| greater than 15 to less than or equal to 20 (33-44 lb)
| 0.8 | 12.6 |
| greater than 20 to less than or equal to 25 (44-55 lb)
| 0.8 | 9.4 |
| greater than 25 to less than or equal to 30 (55-66 lb)
| 0 | 2.1 |
| greater than 30 to less than or equal to 35 (66-77 lb)
| 0 | 0 |
| greater than 35 to less than or equal to 40 (77-88 lb)
| 0 | 0 |
| greater than 40 (greater than 88 lb) | 0 | 0.5 |
5.7 Tardive Dyskinesia
A syndrome of potentially irreversible, involuntary, dyskinetic
movements may develop in patients treated with antipsychotic drugs. Although the
prevalence of the syndrome appears to be highest among the elderly, especially
elderly women, it is impossible to rely upon prevalence estimates to predict, at
the inception of antipsychotic treatment, which patients are likely to develop
the syndrome. Whether antipsychotic drug products differ in their potential to
cause tardive dyskinesia is unknown.
The risk of developing tardive dyskinesia and the likelihood that it will
become irreversible are believed to increase as the duration of treatment and
the total cumulative dose of antipsychotic drugs administered to the patient
increase. However, the syndrome can develop, although much less commonly, after
relatively brief treatment periods at low doses or may even arise after
discontinuation of treatment.
There is no known treatment for established cases of tardive dyskinesia,
although the syndrome may remit, partially or completely, if antipsychotic
treatment is withdrawn. Antipsychotic treatment, itself, however, may suppress
(or partially suppress) the signs and symptoms of the syndrome and thereby may
possibly mask the underlying process. The effect that symptomatic suppression
has upon the long-term course of the syndrome is unknown.
Given these considerations, olanzapine should be prescribed in a manner that
is most likely to minimize the occurrence of tardive dyskinesia. Chronic
antipsychotic treatment should generally be reserved for patients (1) who suffer
from a chronic illness that is known to respond to antipsychotic drugs, and
(2) for whom alternative, equally effective, but potentially less harmful
treatments are not available or appropriate. In patients who do require chronic
treatment, the smallest dose and the shortest duration of treatment producing a
satisfactory clinical response should be sought. The need for continued
treatment should be reassessed periodically.
If signs and symptoms of tardive dyskinesia appear in a patient on
olanzapine, drug discontinuation should be considered. However, some patients
may require treatment with olanzapine despite the presence of the syndrome.
For specific information about the warnings of lithium or valproate, refer to
the Warnings section of the package inserts for these other products.
5.8 Orthostatic Hypotension
Olanzapine may induce orthostatic hypotension associated with
dizziness, tachycardia, bradycardia and, in some patients, syncope, especially
during the initial dose-titration period, probably reflecting its α1-adrenergic antagonistic properties [see
Patient Counseling Information (17.7)].
For oral olanzapine therapy, the risk of orthostatic hypotension and syncope
may be minimized by initiating therapy with 5 mg QD [see
Dosage and Administration (2)]. A more gradual
titration to the target dose should be considered if hypotension occurs.
Hypotension, bradycardia with or without hypotension, tachycardia, and
syncope were also reported during the clinical trials with intramuscular
olanzapine for injection. In an open-label clinical pharmacology study in
nonagitated patients with schizophrenia in which the safety and tolerability of
intramuscular olanzapine were evaluated under a maximal dosing regimen (three
10 mg doses administered 4 hours apart), approximately one-third of these
patients experienced a significant orthostatic decrease in systolic blood
pressure (i.e., decrease greater than or equal to 30 mmHg) [see Dosage and
Administration (2.4)]. Syncope was reported in 0.6%
(15/2500) of olanzapine-treated patients in phase 2-3 oral olanzapine studies
and in 0.3% (2/722) of olanzapine-treated patients with agitation in the
intramuscular olanzapine for injection studies. Three normal volunteers in phase
1 studies with intramuscular olanzapine experienced hypotension, bradycardia,
and sinus pauses of up to 6 seconds that spontaneously resolved (in 2 cases the
reactions occurred on intramuscular olanzapine, and in 1 case, on oral
olanzapine). The risk for this sequence of hypotension, bradycardia, and sinus
pause may be greater in nonpsychiatric patients compared to psychiatric patients
who are possibly more adapted to certain effects of psychotropic drugs. For
intramuscular olanzapine for injection therapy, patients should remain recumbent
if drowsy or dizzy after injection until examination has indicated that they are
not experiencing postural hypotension, bradycardia, and/or hypoventilation.
Olanzapine should be used with particular caution in patients with known
cardiovascular disease (history of myocardial infarction or ischemia, heart
failure, or conduction abnormalities), cerebrovascular disease, and conditions
which would predispose patients to hypotension (dehydration, hypovolemia, and
treatment with antihypertensive medications) where the occurrence of syncope, or
hypotension and/or bradycardia might put the patient at increased medical risk.
Caution is necessary in patients who receive treatment with other drugs
having effects that can induce hypotension, bradycardia, respiratory or central
nervous system depression [see Drug Interactions (7)]. Concomitant administration of intramuscular
olanzapine and parenteral benzodiazepine has not been studied and is therefore
not recommended. If use of intramuscular olanzapine in combination with
parenteral benzodiazepines is considered, careful evaluation of clinical status
for excessive sedation and cardiorespiratory depression is recommended.
5.9 Leukopenia, Neutropenia, and Agranulocytosis
Class Effect — In clinical trial and/or postmarketing
experience, events of leukopenia/neutropenia have been reported temporally
related to antipsychotic agents, including ZYPREXA. Agranulocytosis has also
been reported.
Possible risk factors for
leukopenia/neutropenia include pre-existing low white blood cell count (WBC) and
history of drug induced leukopenia/neutropenia. Patients with a history of a
clinically significant low WBC or drug induced leukopenia/neutropenia should
have their complete blood count (CBC) monitored frequently during the first few
months of therapy and discontinuation of ZYPREXA should be considered at the
first sign of a clinically significant decline in WBC in the absence of other
causative factors.
Patients with clinically
significant neutropenia should be carefully monitored for fever or other
symptoms or signs of infection and treated promptly if such symptoms or signs
occur. Patients with severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count
less than 1000/mm3) should discontinue ZYPREXA and have their
WBC followed until recovery.
5.10 Dysphagia
Esophageal dysmotility and aspiration have been associated with
antipsychotic drug use. Aspiration pneumonia is a common cause of morbidity and
mortality in patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease. Olanzapine is not
approved for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease.
5.11 Seizures
During premarketing testing, seizures occurred in 0.9% (22/2500)
of olanzapine-treated patients. There were confounding factors that may have
contributed to the occurrence of seizures in many of these cases. Olanzapine
should be used cautiously in patients with a history of seizures or with
conditions that potentially lower the seizure threshold, e.g., Alzheimer's
dementia. Olanzapine is not approved for the treatment of patients with
Alzheimer's disease. Conditions that lower the seizure threshold may be more
prevalent in a population of 65 years or older.
5.12 Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment
Somnolence was a commonly reported adverse reaction associated
with olanzapine treatment, occurring at an incidence of 26% in olanzapine
patients compared to 15% in placebo patients. This adverse reaction was also
dose related. Somnolence led to discontinuation in 0.4% (9/2500) of patients in
the premarketing database.
Since olanzapine has the potential to impair judgment, thinking, or motor
skills, patients should be cautioned about operating hazardous machinery,
including automobiles, until they are reasonably certain that olanzapine therapy
does not affect them adversely [see Patient Counseling
Information (17.8)].
5.13 Body Temperature Regulation
Disruption of the body's ability to reduce core body temperature
has been attributed to antipsychotic agents. Appropriate care is advised when
prescribing olanzapine for patients who will be experiencing conditions which
may contribute to an elevation in core body temperature, e.g., exercising
strenuously, exposure to extreme heat, receiving concomitant medication with
anticholinergic activity, or being subject to dehydration [see Patient Counseling Information (17.9)].
5.14 Use in Patients with Concomitant Illness
Clinical experience with olanzapine in patients with certain
concomitant systemic illnesses is limited [see Clinical
Pharmacology (12.3)].
Olanzapine exhibits in vitro muscarinic receptor affinity. In premarketing
clinical trials with olanzapine, olanzapine was associated with constipation,
dry mouth, and tachycardia, all adverse reactions possibly related to
cholinergic antagonism. Such adverse reactions were not often the basis for
discontinuations from olanzapine, but olanzapine should be used with caution in
patients with clinically significant prostatic hypertrophy, narrow angle
glaucoma, or a history of paralytic ileus or related conditions.
In 5 placebo-controlled studies of
olanzapine in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (n=1184), the
following treatment-emergent adverse reactions were reported in
olanzapine-treated patients at an incidence of at least 2% and significantly
greater than placebo-treated patients: falls, somnolence, peripheral edema,
abnormal gait, urinary incontinence, lethargy, increased weight, asthenia,
pyrexia, pneumonia, dry mouth and visual hallucinations. The rate of
discontinuation due to adverse reactions was greater with olanzapine than
placebo (13% vs 7%). Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated
with olanzapine are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo.
Olanzapine is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related
psychosis [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and
Precautions (5.1), and Patient Counseling Information (17.2)].
Olanzapine has not been evaluated or used to any appreciable extent in
patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable heart
disease. Patients with these diagnoses were excluded from premarketing clinical
studies. Because of the risk of orthostatic hypotension with olanzapine, caution
should be observed in cardiac patients [see Warnings and
Precautions (5.8)].
5.15 Hyperprolactinemia
As with other drugs
that antagonize dopamine D2 receptors, olanzapine
elevates prolactin levels, and the elevation persists during chronic
administration. Hyperprolactinemia may suppress hypothalamic GnRH, resulting in
reduced pituitary gonadotropin secretion. This, in turn, may inhibit
reproductive function by impairing gonadal steroidogenesis in both female and
male patients. Galactorrhea, amenorrhea, gynecomastia, and impotence have been
reported in patients receiving prolactin-elevating compounds. Long-standing
hyperprolactinemia when associated with hypogonadism may lead to decreased bone
density in both female and male subjects.
Tissue culture experiments indicate
that approximately one-third of human breast cancers are prolactin dependent
in vitro, a factor of potential importance if the prescription of these drugs is
contemplated in a patient with previously detected breast cancer. As is common
with compounds which increase prolactin release, an increase in mammary gland
neoplasia was observed in the olanzapine carcinogenicity studies conducted in
mice and rats [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)]. Neither clinical studies nor epidemiologic
studies conducted to date have shown an association between chronic
administration of this class of drugs and tumorigenesis in humans; the available
evidence is considered too limited to be conclusive at this time.
In placebo-controlled olanzapine
clinical studies (up to 12 weeks), changes from normal to high in prolactin
concentrations were observed in 30% of adults treated with olanzapine as
compared to 10.5% of adults treated with placebo. In a pooled analysis from
clinical studies including 8136 adults treated with olanzapine, potentially
associated clinical manifestations included menstrual-related events1 (2% [49/3240] of females), sexual function-related
events2 (2% [150/8136] of females and males), and
breast-related events3 (0.7% [23/3240] of females, 0.2%
[9/4896] of males).
In placebo-controlled olanzapine
monotherapy studies in adolescent patients (up to 6 weeks) with schizophrenia or
bipolar I disorder (manic or mixed episodes), changes from normal to high in
prolactin concentrations were observed in 47% of olanzapine-treated patients
compared to 7% of placebo-treated patients. In a pooled analysis from clinical
trials including 454 adolescents treated with olanzapine, potentially associated
clinical manifestations included menstrual-related events1 (1% [2/168] of females), sexual function-related events2 (0.7% [3/454] of females and males), and breast-related
events3 (2% [3/168] of females, 2% [7/286] of males)
[see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].
1 Based on a
search of the following terms: amenorrhea, hypomenorrhea, menstruation delayed,
and oligomenorrhea.
2 Based on a search of the
following terms: anorgasmia, delayed ejaculation, erectile dysfunction,
decreased libido, loss of libido, abnormal orgasm, and sexual
dysfunction.
3 Based on a search of the following
terms: breast discharge, enlargement or swelling, galactorrhea, gynecomastia,
and lactation disorder.
5.16 Use in Combination with Fluoxetine, Lithium, or
Valproate
When using ZYPREXA and
fluoxetine in combination, the prescriber should also refer to the Warnings and
Precautions section of the package insert for Symbyax. When using ZYPREXA in
combination with lithium or valproate, the prescriber should refer to the
Warnings and Precautions sections of the package inserts for lithium or
valproate [see Drug Interactions (7)].
5.17 Laboratory Tests
Fasting blood glucose
testing and lipid profile at the beginning of, and periodically during,
treatment is recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4, 5.5) and Patient Counseling Information
(17.4, 17.5)].