Posted by Louise on May 16, 1999, at 13:59:28
In reply to Re: Olanzapine anti-manic drug?- answer again, posted by katie on May 14, 1999, at 16:58:16
> > > Is olanxapine / zyprexa a drug you can take as and when required, or is it only prescribed for regular doses?
> >
> > You can take it "as needed," I don't know how effective this would be for bipolar disorder. What did you have in mind, exactly?
>
> **************As I stated to Louise , in my case I have been given prescription to be taken regularly every p.m. If I may reitterate, the Olanzapine (or Zyprexa) is mainly used to calm the schizoaffective disorder, not just the bi-polar alone.......What I had in mind was something to take as an early intervention measure if I feel e.g that my mind is starting to race which will result in no sleep which could trigger and episode. I find that if I just take sleepers e.g. zimovane, or use temazepam or something, the hypnotics don't work if I'm starting to speed up and I then can't get off something like temazepam once I'm on it. I've used other tranquilisers / antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine in this type of situation and I think that it's nipped things in the bud - trouble is I've had some side effects and I'm not sure but I think that this drug is 1 class higher than olanzapine on the tranq ratings. Although I've used this type of drug in the past for this reason, I don't know whether I'm really supposed to have (although it worked so I won't knock it!!) as when it was originally prescribed, it was for a regular prescription as I was manic at the time. If I know whether olanzapine can officially be prescribed to use in this way (on an as and when required basis) then I know I'll stand a beter chance of getting it prescribed in case I need it, and I'll feel 'safe' because I can do something fast if I think my mind's speeding up.
I don't know whether all of that makes sense, but any info is much appreciated.
Louise
poster:Louise
thread:5953
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990501/msgs/6178.html