olanzapine
Olanzapine is used to treat schizophrenia (a mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves) and bipolar I disorder (a disease that causes depression, mania, and other abnormal moods). Olanzapine is in a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. It works by changing the activity of certain natural substances in the brain.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking olanzapine affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
In some people, olanzapine may raise levels of the hormone prolactin, and high prolactin levels can stop ovulation, which would make it harder to get pregnant. A healthcare provider can test prolactin levels if there is a concern, so it is best to discuss any fertility questions with them.
Does taking olanzapine increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy, and it is not known whether olanzapine itself increases this chance. Some underlying conditions, such as depression, may also affect miscarriage risk, which makes it difficult to separate the effects of the medication from the condition being treated. This is something to talk through with a healthcare provider.
Does taking olanzapine increase the risk of birth defects?
Every pregnancy begins with a background 3–5% chance of a birth defect. According to the fact sheet, studies of over 2,500 babies exposed to olanzapine in early pregnancy or throughout pregnancy suggest that olanzapine use is unlikely to increase the chance of birth defects. Individual circumstances should still be reviewed with a healthcare provider.
Can taking olanzapine during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
It is not known whether olanzapine increases the chance of preterm delivery or low birth weight; an older study suggested a possible link to low birth weight and NICU care, but more recent studies have not confirmed this. Some studies suggest olanzapine taken throughout pregnancy may increase the chance of gestational diabetes, which can lead to other complications. Use late in pregnancy can also cause temporary newborn symptoms (sometimes called withdrawal), such as changes in muscle tone, drowsiness, agitation, or trouble breathing or feeding, that usually resolve in a few days. A healthcare provider can help monitor for these issues.
Can taking olanzapine during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
Information on long-term behavior and learning outcomes after prenatal olanzapine exposure is limited, and no proven link has been established. Because data are limited, any questions about a child's development are best discussed with a healthcare provider.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking olanzapine?
Olanzapine passes into breastmilk in small amounts, and most infants exposed through breastmilk did not have reported side effects. In one study, a small number of infants had symptoms such as irritability, tremors, increased sleepiness, or sleep difficulties; if these are noticed, the child's healthcare provider should be contacted. Breastfeeding decisions while taking olanzapine should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Source: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet
olanzapine