Warnings


What may interact with Symbyax?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

-other medicines containing fluoxetine or olanzapine, such as Prozac, Sarafem, or Zyprexa
-cisapride
-dronedarone
-linezolid
-MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-methylene blue (injected into a vein)
-metoclopramide
-pimozide
-thioridazine
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

-alcohol
-amphetamines
-aspirin or aspirin-like medicines
-carbamazepine
-certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
-certain medicines for migraine headaches like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
-digoxin
-diuretics
-fentanyl
-flecainide
-furazolidone
-isoniazid
-lithium
-medicines for high blood pressure
-medicines for Parkinson''s disease
-medicines for sleep
-medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin
-NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
-omeprazole
-other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)
-phenytoin
-procarbazine
-propafenone
-rifampin
-ritonavir
-supplements like St. John''s wort, kava kava, valerian
-tramadol
-tryptophan
-vinblastine

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Symbyax?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

-bipolar disorder
-bleeding disorders
-blockage in your bowel
-cigarette smoker
-constipation
-dementia
-diabetes
-difficulty swallowing
-glaucoma
-have trouble controlling your muscles
-heart disease
-high cholesterol
-history of breast cancer
-history of irregular heartbeat
-history of stroke
-liver disease
-low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
-low blood pressure
-Parkinson''s disease
-prostate disease
-seizures
-suicidal thoughts, plans or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member
-take medicines that treat or prevent blood clots
-trouble passing urine
-an unusual or allergic reaction to olanzapine, fluoxetine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using Symbyax?

Visit your health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care professional if symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not stop taking except on your health care professional''s advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your health care professional will tell you how much medicine to take.
This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.
Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening thoughts of suicide or depression. Also watch out for sudden changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your health care provider.
This medicine may increase blood sugar. Ask your health care provider if changes in diet or medicines are needed if you have diabetes.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
This drug can cause problems with controlling your body temperature. It can lower the response of your body to cold temperatures. If possible, stay indoors during cold weather. If you must go outdoors, wear warm clothes. It can also lower the response of your body to heat. Do not overheat. Do not over-exercise. Stay out of the sun when possible. If you must be in the sun, wear cool clothing. Drink plenty of water. If you have trouble controlling your body temperature, call your health care provider right away.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.