Olanzapine and Autism Ranking:

Risks and Safety

Hazards

Olanzapine has been shown to produce a number of side effects in some people.  For example, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists  (2013) it can cause

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• restlessness
• unusual behavior
• depression
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• weakness
• difficulty walking
• constipation
• weight gain
• dry mouth
• pain in arms, legs, back, or joints

More seriously, it can also cause

• seizures
• changes in vision
• swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• unusual movements of your face or body that you cannot control
• fever
• very stiff muscles
• excess sweating
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• rash
• hives
• difficulty breathing or swallowing

In addition

‘Studies have shown that older adults with dementia … who take antipsychotics (medications for mental illness) such as olanzapine have an increased chance of death during treatment.’

Please note that olanzapine can, if taken with certain other drugs, increase, decrease or alter the effect of those other drugs.

Research has shown that olanzapine can produce some side effects in autistic people, including

• significant weight gain
• increased appetite
• drowsiness

Contraindications

Olanzapine should be used cautiously with people who are

• using a number of other medications including anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antihistamines, sedatives, sleeping pills and tranquillisers
• use or have ever used street drugs or have overused prescription medications
• have or have ever had a number of other conditions including stroke, heart disease, seizures, breast cancer, high or low blood pressure, liver or prostate disease, glaucoma or diabetes
• are pregnant, breast-feeding or planning to have surgery

Updated

17 Jun 2022

Last Review

01 Feb 2016

Next Review

01 Feb 2019