Risks of switching antipsychotics.

[CandiedStars]

I've been on 30 mgs Zyprexa for about two years. The weight gain is humiliating. I was thinking about trying Saphris, but there is one tiny problem. In the event I need the Zyprexa after all, what is the likelihood of it not working? I have quit medications and once trying them again they no longer work (this happened with trazadone and geodon) . Is it possible quitting the Zyprexa will make it no longer effective? 

[Iceberg]

I'm not sure that there's a definite answer for that 

[CeremonyNewOrder]

CandiedStars, I have your same problem with antipsychotics not working the second time around. I asked my pdoc about this and he said my experience is not common. It is for this reason that I will need change my combination unless it becomes life threatening.

[Savannah]

My antipsychotics have always worked when going back on them

But a few antidepressants I have gone off of and back and they haven't worked.

[CandiedStars]

Thanks for the info. Just scared of getting sick again. I'm about to attend a medical school, so trying a switch gets me anxious. 

[browri]

I've certainly heard plenty of stories where people had this issue with antidepressants but not as much so with antipsychotics. I've only tried an AAP more than once and that was Latuda. Both times the activation period was too agitating and panicky but the second time I couldn't tolerate it and we ended up going for olanzapine which was just what I needed at the time. Switched olanzapine to loxapine because of the weight gain, all of which I lost. But I ran into an issue with the loxapine where it was calming my thoughts when I took it but simultaneously stimulating my fight or flight response. Everything caused an adrenaline rush and I just found myself taking Xanax all the time. Currently titrating across to Rexulti (Day 3) and it's much more calming closer to olanzapine but not as sedating. Now I am taking it with Vyvanse so take that with a grain of salt.

[CandiedStars]

I recently remembered I've been on Zyprexa twice without it losing how effective it is. 

I noticed something. Zyprexa does nothing for my bipolar. Rexulti totally controls it. I wish I could do a monotherapy with rexulti, but I don't think it will help the delusions and hallucinations. I think some are better for schizophrenia and others are better for bipolar.

Rexulti is my favorite medication by far. I really want to test out Saphris for my hallucinations/delusions. I have never felt this good in my life. Rexulti is truly amazing. 

My goal is to try Saphris in place of Zyprexa as it hits a large amount of receptors, which they both have in common. I was fretting I wouldn't be able to fall back on Zyprexa of it doesn't work. I'm just so sick of this weight gain. 

 

[browri]

1 minute ago, CandiedStars said:

I recently remembered I've been on Zyprexa twice without it losing how effective it is. 

I noticed something. Zyprexa does nothing for my bipolar. Rexulti totally controls it. I wish I could do a monotherapy with rexulti, but I don't think it will help the delusions and hallucinations. I think some are better for schizophrenia and others are better for bipolar.

Rexulti is my favorite medication by far. I really want to test out Saphris for my hallucinations/delusions. I have never felt this good in my life. Rexulti is truly amazing. 

My goal is to try Saphris in place of Zyprexa as it hits a large amount of receptors, which they both have in common. I was fretting I wouldn't be able to fall back on Zyprexa of it doesn't work. I'm just so sick of this weight gain. 

 

I would have to agree. Today is Day 5 on 0.5mg. This is the best experience I think I've had starting an AAP as well as the most antidepressant effect in such a short period of time. There's just been a dramatic shift in the way I view things around me. The only other AAP that I've taken that really did that was Zyprexa, which totally curbed my anxiety and was an awesome booster to my antidepressant. Only downside was the metabolic syndrome and weight gain. Rexulti also settles me as well as Zyprexa did without as much sedation.

I am taking Vyvanse. So far I haven't noticed any appreciable weight gain from the Depakote which I've been taking for ~2 months now, and Rexulti hasn't made me that much more hungry really. So I think Vyvanse is really helping to keep my appetite in control and keep some weight off.

Saphris was really good. Had a positive effect on my mood and really quieted my thoughts. Only problem was they were TOO quiet. Sometimes I would just be in my own little world, someone would be talking right to me and I would be checked out and they would have to get my attention. I found the whole sublingual thing to be annoying though overall. That being said, supposedly the Zyprexa Zydis curbs some of the weight gain from regular oral Zyprexa. Something I might consider if I ever have to go back to it.

[CandiedStars]

I'm glad the Rexulti is working so well. It really helps my depression. I didn't even realize I was depressed. I hope to get to a higher dose and drop my tegretol. 

I have disrupted sleep from Zyprexa. I also eat in the middle of the night because of it. 

I hear mainly positive reviews from Saphris. I also read it is great for bipolar, which holds promise. It hits so many receptors, and I think that is what I need for my schizophrenia to be handled. 

Zyprexa Zydis caused a 20 lb weight gain in me. If you go back you should try metformin. It works really well for me. But everyone is different and the zydis might work.