FDA Issues Warning About Skin Reaction From Zyprexa, Generics

The FDA said May 10 that the antipsychotic medicine olanzapine can cause a rare but serious skin reaction that can spread to other parts of the body.

The agency said it’s adding a new warning to the drug labels for all olanzapine-containing products that describes this severe condition known as Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms, or DRESS. Patients taking olanzapine-containing products who develop a fever with a rash and swollen lymph glands, or swelling in the face, should seek medical care right away, the Food and Drug Administration said. These combined symptoms “together are commonly seen in DRESS.” ...