OLANZAPINE

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company

Olanzapine Adverse Events: High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

204,278 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About OLANZAPINE

OLANZAPINE is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. Based on analysis of 204,278 FDA adverse event reports, OLANZAPINE has a safety score of 85 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for OLANZAPINE include DRUG INEFFECTIVE, WEIGHT INCREASED, OFF LABEL USE, DIABETES MELLITUS, DRUG INTERACTION. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for OLANZAPINE.

AI Safety Analysis

Olanzapine has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 204,278 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Eli Lilly And Company.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Drug Ineffective, Weight Increased, Off Label Use. Of classified reports, 86.1% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Olanzapine reports show a high percentage of serious adverse events, particularly related to weight increase, diabetes, and suicide attempts.

The drug is associated with a wide range of reactions, including neurological, cardiovascular, and metabolic issues. Overdose and intentional self-harm are significant concerns, with multiple reports of both.

Patients taking Olanzapine should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Olanzapine can cause drug interactions, particularly with other antipsychotics and sedatives, and warnings are issued for patients with certain medical conditions. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 85/100

Olanzapine received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 86.1% serious event ratio across 103,332 classified reports. The score accounts for 204,278 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

DRUG INEFFECTIVE7,120 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED6,720 reports
OFF LABEL USE5,714 reports
DIABETES MELLITUS5,388 reports
DRUG INTERACTION4,048 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS3,966 reports
SOMNOLENCE3,836 reports
NAUSEA3,830 reports
FATIGUE3,425 reports
ANXIETY3,375 reports
OVERDOSE3,352 reports
VOMITING3,130 reports
SUICIDE ATTEMPT3,087 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED2,850 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE2,823 reports
INSOMNIA2,760 reports
AGITATION2,694 reports
DEATH2,644 reports
FALL2,603 reports
NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME2,598 reports
DEPRESSION2,592 reports
TREMOR2,547 reports
PSYCHOTIC DISORDER2,531 reports
PYREXIA2,497 reports
DIZZINESS2,495 reports
SEDATION2,485 reports
HYPERTENSION2,458 reports
DIARRHOEA2,406 reports
SUICIDAL IDEATION2,350 reports
COMPLETED SUICIDE2,348 reports
INTENTIONAL OVERDOSE2,316 reports
DYSPNOEA2,270 reports
PNEUMONIA2,180 reports
SCHIZOPHRENIA2,149 reports
TACHYCARDIA2,142 reports
DRUG ABUSE2,133 reports
NEUTROPENIA2,093 reports
MALAISE2,087 reports
ASTHENIA2,085 reports
HYPOTENSION2,081 reports
HEADACHE1,940 reports
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM QT PROLONGED1,931 reports
TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS1,922 reports
PANCREATITIS1,904 reports
AGGRESSION1,872 reports
CONSTIPATION1,849 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED1,741 reports
EXTRAPYRAMIDAL DISORDER1,706 reports
PAIN1,631 reports
COMA1,618 reports
HYPERGLYCAEMIA1,570 reports
AKATHISIA1,568 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS1,547 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION1,525 reports
BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED1,515 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION1,496 reports
HALLUCINATION1,492 reports
DYSKINESIA1,480 reports
HALLUCINATION, AUDITORY1,441 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL1,422 reports
DEPRESSED LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS1,415 reports
DECREASED APPETITE1,412 reports
OBESITY1,397 reports
FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA1,394 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED1,390 reports
CHEST PAIN1,382 reports
PULMONARY EMBOLISM1,371 reports
TREATMENT NONCOMPLIANCE1,367 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE1,354 reports
BLOOD CHOLESTEROL INCREASED1,308 reports
DELIRIUM1,306 reports
DYSTONIA1,281 reports
HYPONATRAEMIA1,275 reports
SEIZURE1,253 reports
RESTLESSNESS1,232 reports
DELUSION1,225 reports
PRESCRIBED OVERDOSE1,222 reports
RASH1,216 reports
METABOLIC DISORDER1,208 reports
INTENTIONAL SELF INJURY1,206 reports
LEUKOPENIA1,203 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS1,200 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN1,193 reports
ANAEMIA1,193 reports
RHABDOMYOLYSIS1,189 reports
DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS1,187 reports
BLOOD TRIGLYCERIDES INCREASED1,186 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY1,157 reports
DEHYDRATION1,141 reports
BLOOD CREATINE PHOSPHOKINASE INCREASED1,138 reports
VISION BLURRED1,124 reports
MANIA1,120 reports
PARKINSONISM1,117 reports
ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR1,112 reports
SOPOR1,092 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT1,087 reports
CARDIAC ARREST1,075 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA1,075 reports
TARDIVE DYSKINESIA1,074 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL1,023 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High percentage of serious adverse events (86.1%)
  • Weight increase and diabetes mellitus are common and serious reactions
  • Multiple reports of suicide attempts and intentional overdose

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Male: 47,225, Female: 46,485, Unknown: 489. The most frequently reported age groups are age 50 (1,406 reports), age 52 (1,387 reports), age 30 (1,374 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 103,332 classified reports for OLANZAPINE:

  • Serious: 88,940 reports (86.1%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 14,392 reports (13.9%)
Serious 86.1%Non-Serious 13.9%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Male47,225 (50.1%)
Female46,485 (49.3%)
Unknown489 (0.5%)

Reports by Age

Age 501,406 reports
Age 521,387 reports
Age 301,374 reports
Age 351,369 reports
Age 451,349 reports
Age 401,327 reports
Age 471,324 reports
Age 441,316 reports
Age 321,301 reports
Age 551,271 reports
Age 561,257 reports
Age 251,250 reports
Age 491,239 reports
Age 541,236 reports
Age 511,212 reports
Age 371,202 reports
Age 571,194 reports
Age 481,183 reports
Age 421,171 reports
Age 341,160 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Olanzapine can cause drug interactions, particularly with other antipsychotics and sedatives, and warnings are issued for patients with certain medical conditions.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Olanzapine, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include drug ineffective, weight increased, off label use, diabetes mellitus, drug interaction. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Patients should strictly follow prescribed dosages and report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels and weight is recommended, especially in patients with pre-existing conditions. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

Regulatory bodies monitor Olanzapine closely due to its high rate of serious adverse events, and healthcare providers should be vigilant about patient monitoring and management.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Olanzapine?

The FDA has received approximately 204,278 adverse event reports associated with Olanzapine. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Olanzapine?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Olanzapine include Drug Ineffective, Weight Increased, Off Label Use, Diabetes Mellitus, Drug Interaction. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Drug Ineffective (7,120 reports), Weight Increased (6,720 reports), Off Label Use (5,714 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Olanzapine.

What percentage of Olanzapine adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 103,332 classified reports, 88,940 (86.1%) were classified as serious and 14,392 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Olanzapine (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Olanzapine break down by patient sex as follows: Male: 47,225, Female: 46,485, Unknown: 489. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Olanzapine?

The most frequently reported age groups for Olanzapine adverse events are: age 50: 1,406 reports, age 52: 1,387 reports, age 30: 1,374 reports, age 35: 1,369 reports, age 45: 1,349 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Olanzapine?

The primary manufacturer associated with Olanzapine adverse event reports is Eli Lilly And Company. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Olanzapine?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Olanzapine include: Toxicity To Various Agents, Somnolence, Nausea, Fatigue, Anxiety. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Olanzapine?

You can report adverse events from Olanzapine to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Olanzapine's safety score and what does it mean?

Olanzapine has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Olanzapine reports show a high percentage of serious adverse events, particularly related to weight increase, diabetes, and suicide attempts.

What are the key safety signals for Olanzapine?

Key safety signals identified in Olanzapine's adverse event data include: High percentage of serious adverse events (86.1%). Weight increase and diabetes mellitus are common and serious reactions. Multiple reports of suicide attempts and intentional overdose. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Olanzapine interact with other drugs?

Olanzapine can cause drug interactions, particularly with other antipsychotics and sedatives, and warnings are issued for patients with certain medical conditions. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Olanzapine.

What should patients know before taking Olanzapine?

Patients should strictly follow prescribed dosages and report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels and weight is recommended, especially in patients with pre-existing conditions.

Are Olanzapine side effects well-documented?

Olanzapine has 204,278 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. The drug is associated with a wide range of reactions, including neurological, cardiovascular, and metabolic issues. The volume of reports for Olanzapine reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Olanzapine?

Regulatory bodies monitor Olanzapine closely due to its high rate of serious adverse events, and healthcare providers should be vigilant about patient monitoring and management. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to OLANZAPINE based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

QuetiapineAripiprazoleRisperidoneZiprasidonePaliperidone
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.