Should I take 2.5mg PRN Olanzapine?

Medications
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They gave me this PRN, but I do not have a good view of Olanzapine.

When I took it years ago I was on 20mg

Maybe at a low dose of 2.5mg it shouldn’t effect my weight?

I don’t care if it makes me tired, as Cariprazine has messed with my sleep somewhat

It’s only temporary I guess

My pdoc just wants it to take the edge off until the Cariprazine titration is complete

I was wondering if I should take it, as I don’t want to muddy the waters of knowing whether the new drug is working?

See Olanzapine has a half life of 30 hours!

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I don’t think it’s a big risk. It’s a subclinical dose and even 5 is like used to treat anxiety for example. I couldn’t imagine it making you too hungry or so but it’s a prn so you don’t need to do it everyday.

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Would it not help short term being subclinical? My case worker said people use the 2.5mg prn. But I am not even sure it has quick action. A few times I have had a quick acting injection at the hospital, however I don’t know if the shot is different to tablets in action

I guess it can’t hurt for a little while

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I’d imagine it would calm you a bit and probably help you sleep but we are all different. I’d be inclined to follow the doctors advice and take it if needed.

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Thanks @rogueone I will try it today and see what it does.

Even if it calms a bit that would be good.

Sorry to post here about it, I wasn’t really told much and just given the script

I didn’t want Haldol was all I said to them

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Olanzapine has been really good for me. I’ve come down probably as low as I can go to 7.5mgs but it works well for me. I’d give it a try and see how you go. It should help calm you and may help you sleep.

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I had Zyprexa 2.5 prn for a little while. Yes, subclinical, but I was building up my second AP like you are so it was totally fine.

I found it very helpful, as it was very fast acting for me. 2.5 mg will wear off after a couple of hours, but it definitely helped me with my med transition. I could take it up to 4 times a day to help with bumps. Some days I only needed 2 though. Much prefered that to a benzo.

I highly recommend taking it. Good luck.

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I take 5mg alongside my main ap and it settled me down without increasing my appetite. Been on it for a little over a month with no problems.

Everyone is different, but I suspect 2.5mg won’t suddenly make you ravenous.

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Thanks @anon39736208 - that’s good to know.

I am not sure how many times a day I can do it, as my mother manages all my meds, but when she wakes up I will check

Not a fan of benzos either! I refused 5mg Diazepam PRN as I was hooked on that before

Thanks again for sharing :slight_smile:

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I hope not. When I was on it before I exploded weight

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The first time I lost weight on ap’s, I was exclusively on olanzapine 5mg. I lost 18kg like nobody’s business. Unfortunately it didn’t handle my symptoms properly.

I think low doses are pretty safe.

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Thanks @Pat6398

I just have horrible memories of this particular med, but at a low dose I am sure it will be fine as you say :slight_smile:

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In my opinion zyprexa can stay in your system for up to three weeks. I sincerely don’t think 2.5 could cause anyone to be hungry. I also took 20 mg zyprexa for 10 years and it was extraordinarily painful and caused a lot of anger in me. I’m so blessed because I’ve been doing even better for two months on only 5 mg and my hunger has diminished considerably.

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Stay the hell away from Olanzapine. Just my humble opinion.

It was a disaster for me.

I was on 40mg for 17 years.

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Haven’t they suggested Quetiapine (Seraquol) at all for anxiety? I have 25mg twice a day available for when i need it. I swear by the stuff. Olanzapine just made me sit all day.

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Olanzapine 2.5 and low dose Quetiapine are the best prn for psychosis in my opinion. Benzodiazepines are also good but for other reasons and it is wise of you to steer clear of the benzos if you can at all avoid them

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This is what I want to do until this other med has a chance to work properly.

Going to take a few weeks

Still undecided as to whether it will just confuse the situation or not

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