Those that have taken Olanzapine/ Zyprexa- would love to hear from you

[NicJK]

Hi everyone, I am currently on 5mg of Olanzapine (Zyprexa) and I would like to start tapering off this medication soon. I will of course ask my doctor about the best way to taper but I would appreciate it if you could tell me how you came off it. Did you divide the pills into quarters? Thanks so much

[Hidden]

Makes me nauseous coming off. I was taking 15mg Zyprexa at bedtime for sleep. And I got it stuck in my head that I wanted off of it, so I tapered and skipped days until I was finally off of it without being nauseous, only to be put right back on 2.5mg of it, in the morning to help with the racing thoughts. I never have much of a problem coming off, or going on psychiatric medications, but antipsychotics make me nauseous and have even made me vomit (didn't vomit with Zyprexa though)

This is just what happend to me and doesn't mean it'll happen to you. I have done it both ways and I would taper and/or skip days. But talk to your doctor.

Zyprexa is a good medicine, but it does have some risk factors aswell. My bloodwork is always better when I'm on a lower dose or off of it completely. Other than that I lost a little weight, but that's about it. Nausea was the worst part for me.

[NicJK in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. How did you taper? did you drop 2.5mg every time?

[Hidden in reply to NicJK]

No I went from 15mg to 7.5mg, from 7.5mg to 5mg, then 5mg to 2.5mg's then I split a few of the 2.5's to 1.25mgs and then skipped days when I got that low, until I was completely off. That's just how I had to do it though. I've done it different ways including cold turkey, and that's what worked best for me so I didnt get nauseous. So basically, I just split my pills. Ask your doctor though.

[Mama198]

I halved my tablet to 2.5mg and then a few weeks later came off just fine. No symptoms felt. Hopefully you get the right support to come off them soon.

[NicJK in reply to Mama198]

That's great to hear! How long were you on 5mg for?

[Mama198 in reply to NicJK]

I was on them for about 6 months. After I suffered from postpartum psychosis after birth of my baby.