1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Olanzapine

I am trying to stop takeing Olanzapine 2,5 mg which I have had for almost four years.

Posted , 4 users are following.

tiina74329
tiina74329

I am afraid of severe sleeping problems, because the little pill can be split only in four parts.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • barbara93326
    barbara93326 tiina74329

    Posted

    i checked into a pill cutter at CVS and I'm sure other pharmacies have similar. Ask them to show you if the pill can be cut into fourths. I cut a 2.5 pretty easy but do have fragments. If you alter the full tablet with 3/4 tablet using the ( not exact) fragments every other day you should be going so slowly as to minimize withdrawal. Working so far for me. Best of luck. We're all in this together.

    • tiina74329
      tiina74329 barbara93326

      Posted

      Thank you for your good advice, there really are fragments! At first I tried to stop all together, but turned in to 3/4 with fragments. CVS cutter might not be available in my country, I think. Lets hope my brains and nervous system cope with my inaccurate cuttings because the recommended 10% system is out of question.

    • barbara93326
      barbara93326 tiina74329

      Posted

      agree that the 10% is unreasonable. just try to get as close as you can using a sharp blade knife or razor blade if no pill cutter (be careful). You can do it. take it from one still trying but convinced I can wean off ....eventually. slow is the only way and being confident.

  • karogers
    karogers tiina74329

    Posted

    My advice from experience go very gently/slowly tapering of that drug as it caused my body and mind severe turmoil

    I helped counteract the withdrawals with regular exercise and yoga classes

    All the Best😊

  • tiina74329
    tiina74329

    Posted

    Thank God the morning is good! I have slept almost normally after two weeks with 3/4 pills and a lot of exercise; walking with dogs, swimming, cykling and Sauna ! To give my body time to recover I think to go on like this for a month.( I got an appointment to a psyc only after that) And we also have a birthdayparty in the end of August and I want to be happy and social not tired with tomatoeyes.

    The main reason I got frightened with Olanzapine was when I realized it might cause also dementia since it is anticholinergic, what ever that means... . Even in smaller doses???

  • daz84596
    daz84596 tiina74329

    Posted

    OK I want to set the record straight here. I don't want to scare you, instead I want to stop you going through the ringer which, as I am sure you have read, can happen when you come off this drug incorrectly. I speak from experience, and completely understand why the things that happen, actually happen.

    1. I tried reducing by 1/4 tablet each week and had no problems until a few days into being completely off it; the insomnia and all the rest then came. See my profile for info.

    2. 10% reduction is NOT unreasonable. You need to get a pill crusher (I'll say that again, a pill CRUSHER) and grind the tablet up into a powder, then measure out 10% reductions of it on milligram scales. I can advise on this having done it.

    3. OL causes all sorts of bad sh1t, put bluntly. Sure, it helps with the symptoms it is designed to help with, but it comes at a cost when you try to come off it.

    Best wishes with your withdrawal and ultimate recovery 😃

    • tiina74329
      tiina74329 daz84596

      Posted

      GOOD morning Daz from Europe and thank you very much for your concern! I know I am a too hasty personality. I'll try to follow your advices to really get rid of this medication without bad insomnia. It is good to know there a people who know what you are going through and people who know what you are afraid of to come since you have had even a mild bipolar disorder. I really hope the doctor I am going to see precautionary is understanding!

      Best wishes!

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.