What is Symbyax? Uses, warnings & side effects

How to take Symbyax

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. It is best to take this medicine in the evening.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. It is best to take this medicine in the evening.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

What to do if you miss a dose of Symbyax

Symbyax contraindications - Who shouldn't take Symbyax?

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to olanzapine or fluoxetine.

Symbyax warnings

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you have liver disease, bleeding problems, diabetes, high cholesterol, glaucoma, prostate problems, problems with passing urine, breast cancer, mania, seizures, or severe constipation. Tell your doctor if you have had a heart rhythm problem (including QT prolongation), or if you have had a heart attack, heart failure, low blood pressure, or a stroke.

• Do not breastfeed while you are using this medicine.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Changes in behavior or mood, including thoughts of suicideDrug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a nerve and muscle problem)High blood sugar, cholesterol, or triglyceride levelsSerotonin syndrome (may be life-threatening when used with certain other medicines)Tardive dyskinesia (a muscle problem that may become permanent)Higher risk of bleedingHeart rhythm changes

• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy, or may cause trouble with thinking or controlling body movements, which may lead to falls, fractures or other injuries. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• This medicine may make it more difficult for your body to cool down. Be careful to not become overheated during exercise or hot weather, because you could have heat stroke.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Seizures or tremors

• Trouble sleeping, unusual dreams

• Unusual behavior, thoughts of hurting yourself or others

• Unusual bleeding or bruising

Symbyax interactions & what to avoid when taking Symbyax

• Do not use this medicine together with pimozide or thioridazine. Do not use this medicine within 14 days of using an MAO inhibitor (MAOI), and do not start an MAOI for at least 5 weeks after you stop using fluoxetine.

• Some medicines can affect how olanzapine/fluoxetine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Buspirone, carbamazepine, clozapine, diazepam, digitoxin, dolasetron, fentanyl, fluvoxamine, haloperidol, levodopa, lithium, mefloquine, methadone, omeprazole, pentamidine, phenytoin, probucol, rifampin, St John's wort, tacrolimus, tramadol, tryptophan, or vinblastineAmphetamineAntibiotic medicine (including erythromycin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin)Blood pressure medicineBlood thinner (including warfarin)Diuretic (water pill)Medicine for heart rhythm problems (including amiodarone, flecainide, procainamide, propafenone, quinidine, sotalol)Medicine to treat mental health problems (including chlorpromazine, droperidol, iloperidone, ziprasidone)NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)Triptan medicine to treat migraine headaches

• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• This medicine may make it more difficult for your body to cool down. Be careful to not become overheated during exercise or hot weather, because you could have heat stroke.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.