Zyprexa .... olanzapine

[Phogan]

I just come back from the doctors and have been prescribed Zyprexa (olanzapine) Comments much appreciated please

[LotteM]

Hi phogan, I had a look on rlshelp.org. Olanzapine is an atypical antidepressant. Dr Buchfuher (the owner/author of rlshelp.org) writes: “Several case reports of worsening RLS, so caution is advised.”

[Hidden]

Hi Phogan. Lotte is right. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) is an atypical antidepressant/antipsychotic which is supposed to balance the two neurotransmitters Dopamine and Serotonin in the brain. In my opinion I would be leary re taking anything with these two neurotransmitters: Especially the serotonin-which is the main ingredient in Prozac (fluoxetine) which I believe has been well-documented as not being helpful for rls. If it were me I would think twice before taking this. Just my opinion. Take care. irina1975

[nightdancer]

it also depends on your diagnosis, since you have mentioned bipolar before. it is a delicate balance when trying to medicate more than one condition at a time, especially mental health issues and RLS.

[Hidden]

Hi Paddy! As nightdancer says, it is very hard to balance psychological issues and RLS. My advice would be to tell your prescribing doctor that you also have RLS so that she/he can exercise caution when prescribing meds.

[kelirock]

It is a major anti psychotic medication. What did the doctor prescribe it for?

[Hidden]

Hi Phogan, I am a retired Dr. I think I recall you saying you also suffered from Bipolar disorder. It's horrible when you are needing to have treated more than 1 condition. Bipolar is very unpleasant to have untreated for you though. I know Olanzapine is a well recognised treatment for this and can be a very effective mood stabiliser and of course the Drs can only work with what treatments exist.

I remember that mood stabilisers/antipsychotics can cause restlessness. I think it is not necessarily the same mechanism as RLS though and they sometimes use Procyclidine for this type of restlessness which doesn't work for our sort of RLS.

Yes, I agree, discuss fully with your Psychiatrist and also your RLS specialist if you have one and between them hopefully they will come up with as good a solution as possible.

I don't think any of us on this forum should be advising you not to take the Olanzapine though as we aren't practising Drs and Bipolar is a condition you will want to get under control.

[jewbie68]

Never heard of using zyprexa for rls. Zyprexa is a antipsychotic drug. Must be off label usage. Check with your pharmacist.

[Phogan]

It was prescribed by my GP for my newly diagnosed bipolar and it sent my body RLS absolutely apeshit.

I was up all night, I couldn't lie down (obviously .... duh)!! or even sit for approximately 5-6 hrs. However, tonight I have only taken a half dose and so far so good.