Zyprexa, also known as Olanzapine is an anti psychotic drug (also known as a neuroleptic) used to treat psychosis and psychotic mania.
It’s called an atypical antipsychotic as it is a new class of drugs with less side effects that the old anti-psychotics such as Thorazine and Haldol. Zyprexa is known for weight gain- an average of 20 pounds per person, but I definitely know people who don’t gain weight at all.
Zyprexa is used to treat bipolar disorder mania and psychosis – (and schizophrenia.)
I have seen it work miracles on people who are very ill. It’s hard to find a balance between the benefits of the drug and the side effects- but for many, the benefits are what matters. I have a friend who was on the drug for two years to keep her mania and psychosis in check. It definitely kept her out of the hospital- but she felt over drugged and gained weight. I am so incredibly proud of her for staying on it. She is now stable and no longer needs a high dose of the Zyprexa.
I just saw her today and she said, “I’m staying on it Julie. I can’t get sick like that again.” She looked so great today. I’m glad to see doing so well!
Julie
Julie,
My son is very angy at me because we had to put him in the hospital. I can’t get him to read more about his illness or find out how he can deal with it. He was just put on Zyprexa and Abilify, but I’m not sure he will take it. He wants to take care of his illness the natural way?? Anyway I am feelinf overwhelmed with the situation even though he doesn’t live with me I’m worried he will end up back in the hospital. He just got a new job after over 5 years of not working. How can I help him take responsibility for his illness and learn to accept what he can’t change.
I have been diagnosed bipolar 1 for 24 years, I fought it in the beginning because I wanted to feel “my normal” which was mostly hypomania, but I would end up in the hospital for psychosis.
A number of meds were tried, Lithium fried my throid anyways this is about zyprexa, I was given zyprexa but it wasn’t the right dose until I relly looked at my charting and saw that 15 mg all the time really worked for me, I haven’t had hypomania since nov 2008 finally over a year taking a higher dose and watching my charting for when I need to raise it for afew dyas.
I am affected by the seasons especially. The change in light. I just wan tto tell those of you out there that meds work and are better than the alternative of losing freedom. Keep taking your meds.