Pregnancy Breastfeeding And Fertility While Taking Olanzapine

Olanzapine and pregnancy

Olanzapine can be taken during pregnancy. It's not thought to be harmful to your baby.

Mental health conditions can affect both your and your baby's wellbeing. It's important that they're well treated. If you think that your mental health has got worse during pregnancy, or after your baby is born, then it's important to get help from your doctor, midwife or local mental health team.

If you become pregnant while taking olanzapine, speak to your doctor. You'll be reviewed in an antenatal clinic and can discuss your treatment with the doctors.

Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Olanzapine and breastfeeding

If your baby is healthy, you may be able to take olanzapine if you're breastfeeding. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor first.

Olanzapine passes into breast milk in very small amounts and has been linked with side effects in very few breastfed babies. Many people have used it while breastfeeding without any problems.

It's important to keep taking olanzapine to keep you well. Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby.

It's very rare for breastfed babies to have side effects from medicines you're taking. But it's important to keep monitoring your baby if you're taking any medicine while breastfeeding.

Contact your healthcare professional or call 111 as soon as possible if your baby:

• is not feeding as normal, or gaining weight as expected
• has changes in sleep, or irritability
• is trembling, or has sudden or jerky movements
• has constipation, or is peeing less (fewer wet nappies)
• has a rash

If your baby has any symptoms that are not listed, or if you're worried about them, you can also call 111 or contact any healthcare professional.

Carry on taking the medicine, and keep breastfeeding as usual until you've got advice about your baby's symptoms.

It's important not to share a bed with your baby while you're taking olanzapine.

Olanzapine and fertility

Olanzapine can affect your hormones and sometimes causes sexual problems, such as less interest in sex (reduced libido) in men or women, and problems getting an erection. It can also affect periods.

These effects happen in fewer than 1 in 10 people.

If you would like to start a family, then talk to your doctor if you have any of these problems or if you have any concerns.

Tell your doctor if you're:

• trying to get pregnant
• pregnant
• breastfeeding

Find out more about how olanzapine can affect you and your baby during pregnancy on the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website.

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