Olanzapine withdrawal
Posted , 5 users are following.
Good evening all hope you are well
I have been on Olanzapine for 20 years.
started on 20 mg then went to 10mg, 5mg and now i am on 2.5 mg
i have tried many times to come off the olanzapine but ended up going back on them because the withdrawal symptoms were so bad
once my doctor told me to just stop taking the tablets and it was like i was coming off heroin the withdrawal symptoms were awful
My doctor has told me that I am prediabetic due to the olanzapine and that i should come off them
i am taking 1 tablet one night and then half a tablet on the other night and alternating like that
2 weeks in and i have withdrawal symptoms headaches, nausea, vomiting, diahorea, dizziness, insomnia, funny pain in the gland if my neck and generally feeling rough
just wondered if anyone had any help or tips to help me come off the medication
Thanks for your help much appreciated
Have a lovely rest of your weekend
kindest regards Janet
0 likes, 3 replies
acai01264 Pixie25
Posted
I have been trying to get off 2.5mg of olanzapine for five months. It was so difficult, even with a very slow taper. Eventually, I decided to switch to Seroquel since it only affects seven receptors in the brain rather than Olanzapine's 17. Seroquel has less metabolic side effects as well. I am in the process of slowly adding seroquel and now only taking olanzapine every other day. I have already lost weight in doing so. I dont know if this is an option for you or if you want to be off medications altogether.
cabo25899 Pixie25
Posted
You're having typical olanzapine withdrawal symptoms from tapering too fast.
If your medical condition allows it a slower taper gives less symptoms.
Taking the same amount everyday will give less withdrawal symptoms than alternating doses.
Consider buying a pill cutter, a precision scale, crushing the pill, making liquid suspensions, making powder lines that you divide with a ruler. The more precise method for tapering you choose the better.
Coming off Olanzapine after extended use is a narrow path. If you go too fast you may have severe withdrawal symptoms for a very long time. Some even die. Going up in dosage does not necessarily alleviate contracted withdrawal symptoms, time does. Going slowly with consistent dosing and a creative method to divide the tablet into reliable fractions is key. Support your health with healthy food, sleeping habits, exercise etc in the mean time. Good luck.
joshuapryce1987 Pixie25
Posted
Once we are on its hard to get off when going on. I do not think the drug itself causes too much problems, the real problems are the effects a person has from taking them, the drug causes hunger and a very relaxed mind. You should not have much withdrawals from stopping taking the drug. Just take it slow and gradually decrease dosage.