Overview Introduction Oltha 7.5mg Tablet is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of schizophrenia (a mental disorder that can result in hallucinations or delusions and also adversely affects a person’s ability to think and behave) and mania. Oltha 7.5mg Tablet may be taken with or without food. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor and if you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may worsen your symptoms. Some common side effects of this medicine include dryness in mouth, constipation, muscle rigidity and restlessness. Initially, this medicine may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when you change positions, so it is better to rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. It also causes dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. However, this medicine may increase your weight, blood sugar and cholesterol levels but, modifying your lifestyle by having a healthy diet and exercising regularly can reduce this side effect. You should be cautious as in rare cases it may cause serious side effects like very high blood sugar levels or seizures. Uses of Oltha Tablet Schizophrenia Mania Side effects of Oltha Tablet Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them Common side effects of Oltha Dizziness Sleepiness Orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering of blood pressure on standing) Dryness in mouth Weight gain Increased prolactin level in blood Constipation Muscle stiffness Restlessness Tremor How to cope with side effects? The occurrence of side effects varies from person to person. The following are a few ways of dealing with some of the common side effects. However, consult your doctor if these persist. Coping with Dizziness This is usually short-lived and should go away within a few days. If this happens, stop what you are doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Lying still in a dark, quiet room may help reduce the spinning feeling. Sleep with your head slightly raised on two or more pillows. Get up slowly from a lying or sitting position. Get plenty of rest and try to relax as being anxious can make it worse. Try taking this medicine at bedtime to reduce the symptoms. Drinking plenty of water and ginger tea may also help. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and smoking as it will make you feel worse. Avoid driving or using tools or machinery until you feel better. Coping with Sleepiness If the medicine is making you drowsy during the day, stop what you are doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. You can also consider taking a nap. Physical exercises such as walking may be helpful. Do not drink alcohol, as it will make you feel more tired. Avoid driving or operating heavy equipment when you are feeling drowsy. This problem usually goes away as your body gets used to the medicine. However, if it does not, ask your doctor if you can take your medicine at bedtime or whether the dose can be reduced. Coping with Dryness in mouth Keep a drink available that you can sip through the day. Rinse your mouth with warm salted water and chew sugarless gum or hard candy. Try breathing through your nose more often than your mouth. Avoid caffeinated beverages, smoking and alcohol because they can make your condition worse. Use lip balm if your lips are also dry. Try to avoid foods that are acidic (like lemons), spicy, salty or sugary. If this side effect bothers you or does not go away, talk to your doctor about artificial saliva products or other suitable treatments. Coping with Weight gain Try to eat a healthy balanced diet without increasing your portion sizes. Avoid processed meat or poultry and seafood. Eat small, frequent meals and eat slowly. Do not snack on foods that contain a lot of calories such as crisps, cakes, biscuits and sweets. If you feel hungry between meals, eat fruits and vegetables which have low calories. Avoid reaching for a sugary drink if you feel stressed. Fasting once a week can be an effective way to lose weight. Make sure you get enough sleep. With proper diet and lifestyle changes, you might not gain any weight or may gain only a small amount. Even then if it bothers you, ask your doctor if there are any alternative medicines that do not have this side effect. Coping with Constipation Try to eat foods which are high in fiber such as fresh fruits, vegetables and cereals to increase the bulk and consistency of bowel movements. Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic drinks and stay hydrated to promote healthy digestion. Increasing physical activities such as walking, yoga and regular exercise can also be helpful. If your condition does not improve, you can ask your doctor to prescribe you laxative medicine. Coping with Restlessness This often disappears when the condition you are being treated for is managed. You could ask your doctor about changing the dose of your medicine or alternatives if it is affecting your daily life or causing you distress. Psychological treatments may be available. Some things you can do to help yourself include stopping smoking, cutting down the amount of alcohol and caffeine you drink, and doing regular exercise. You should also eat a healthy diet and find out how to get sleep if you are having trouble. Try talking to a friend or family member. Calming breathing exercises and other relaxation techniques may also help. Coping with Tremor These symptoms can be a sign that the dose is too high for you. It may help to change your dose or take your medicine at a different time of the day. There are also exercises that can improve muscle strength, control and coordination. In terms of lifestyle, avoid caffeine (in coffee, tea and chocolate), alcohol, and ask your doctor about other techniques to help you relax and manage stress. Talk to your doctor if this bothers you. Your doctor may be able to prescribe you medicines that can help. show more show less How to use Oltha Tablet Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Oltha 7.5mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. How Oltha Tablet works Oltha 7.5mg Tablet is an atypical antipsychotic. It works by affecting the levels of chemical messengers (dopamine and serotonin) to improve mood, thoughts and behavior. Safety Advice Alcohol UNSAFE It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Oltha 7.5mg Tablet. Pregnancy CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR Oltha 7.5mg Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor. Breastfeeding CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR Oltha 7.5mg Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby. Driving UNSAFE Oltha 7.5mg Tablet may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur. Kidney SAFE IF PRESCRIBED Oltha 7.5mg Tablet is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Oltha 7.5mg Tablet is recommended. Liver SAFE IF PRESCRIBED Oltha 7.5mg Tablet is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Oltha 7.5mg Tablet may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
