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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lynne on March 18, 2000, at 15:50:02
I have tried many AD's and did not have good luck with any of them. My PDoc suggested low dose Zyprexa, has anyone else used this? I have anxiety and social phobia, and depression. Does it cause short term memory loss?
Thanks,
Lynne
Posted by JohnL on March 18, 2000, at 16:34:50
In reply to Zyprexa? for depression?, posted by Lynne on March 18, 2000, at 15:50:02
> I have tried many AD's and did not have good luck with any of them. My PDoc suggested low dose Zyprexa, has anyone else used this? I have anxiety and social phobia, and depression. Does it cause short term memory loss?
>
> Thanks,
> Lynne
When antidepressants haven't worked, either Zyprexa and/or a psychostimulant may target the chemistry that the antidepressants missed. Zyprexa does indeed work in depression. In the mood stabilizer category Lamictal might be considered.I like Zyprexa. It's good for sleep without daytime sedation. Doesn't seem to have any short term memory loss...I think...I'm not sure...I forgot. :) Just kidding. Corny jokes aside, its primary side effect is weight gain. It gives me the munchies. JohnL
Posted by kellyR. on March 18, 2000, at 18:57:05
In reply to Zyprexa? for depression?, posted by Lynne on March 18, 2000, at 15:50:02
> I have tried many AD's and did not have good luck with any of them. My PDoc suggested low dose Zyprexa, has anyone else used this? I have anxiety and social phobia, and depression. Does it cause short term memory loss?
>
> Thanks,
> LynneI've been taking prozac30mg.in the morning & zyprexa2.5mg.at night, & it does make you put on weight,I've gained 30lbs since dec. haven't had any short term memory problems, just alote of heartburn.
Posted by Scott L. Schofield on March 18, 2000, at 20:30:11
In reply to Re: Zyprexa? for depression?, posted by JohnL on March 18, 2000, at 16:34:50
> When antidepressants haven't worked, either Zyprexa and/or a psychostimulant may target the chemistry that the antidepressants missed. Zyprexa does indeed work in depression. In the mood stabilizer category Lamictal might be considered.
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Questions:Is it necessary to use a low dose of Zyprexa to obtain an antidepressant response? Will the antidepressant effect disappear at a higher dose? What is the dose range suggested?
I tried Zyprexa back in September. I was started at 10 mg/day. I felt quite an improvement within the first few days, but it faded and eventually disappeared. I discontinued it at this point.
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Lynne on March 18, 2000, at 20:59:20
In reply to Re: Zyprexa? for depression? Dosage?, posted by Scott L. Schofield on March 18, 2000, at 20:30:11
> > When antidepressants haven't worked, either Zyprexa and/or a psychostimulant may target the chemistry that the antidepressants missed. Zyprexa does indeed work in depression. In the mood stabilizer category Lamictal might be considered.
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
> Questions:
>
> Is it necessary to use a low dose of Zyprexa to obtain an antidepressant response? Will the antidepressant effect disappear at a higher dose? What is the dose range suggested?
>
> I tried Zyprexa back in September. I was started at 10 mg/day. I felt quite an improvement within the first few days, but it faded and eventually disappeared. I discontinued it at this point.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> - ScottThanks to everyone who posted back to me. I don't know if I want to try it because of the weight gain issue.I also have ADD, I wonder if Dexedrine taken in the day would help with the weight gain issue? Any thoughts on this?
Lynne
Posted by Cam W. on March 19, 2000, at 1:17:19
In reply to Re: Zyprexa? for depression? Dosage?, posted by Lynne on March 18, 2000, at 20:59:20
Lynne - It has been my experience that Zyprexa can augment antidepressants effectively and does seem to have some good mood stabilizing effects on it's own. The weight gain is annoying and I really don't think that stimulants are the first line defence against it. A balanced diet (aka rabbit food) and increased exercise have helped. The weight gain (from John's munchies - carbohydrate cravings) is the worst in the first 8 or 9 months of taking the drug. Underweight people seem to gain more weight than those who are overweight to begin with. I am not saying that it is MacDonalds every night in 8 months, but the weight gain does seem to plateau. It is by far easier (and more successful) to prevent weight gain than it is to take it off afterwards.
My experience with the dosing of Zyprexa as an antidepressant augmenter (or as monotherapy in depression) is that only low doses are usually needed (eg 2.5mg - 5mg), but, if needed, higher doses work as well. Higher dosages do not seem to correlate with the amount of weight gained, though (in my experience).
As an aside - Zyprexa has a hard coating. Unlike many other drugs with a hard coating, it can be split. Use caution when splitting Zyprexa, as it can be very corrosive, especially if introduced to sensitive membranes, like the eye (wash hands well, afterwards). Also, if one is having trouble swallowing the pills, they can be crushed and mixed with most liquids (water, coffee, juice, even Coke). Once broken though, the tablet only retains its potency for 7 days.
Good luck with you trial - Cam W.
Posted by ChrisK on March 19, 2000, at 6:47:54
In reply to Re: Zyprexa? for depression? Dosage?, posted by Cam W. on March 19, 2000, at 1:17:19
I've been taking Zyprexa for quite awhile now and am very happy with it. I take 7.5 mg at night and it's really cleared up obsessive thoughts of suicide that go with my depression. As Cam said I think it is best as an augmenter for a standard AD.
I did gain the weight on it. Two weeks ago I started a serious diet and excersize regiment and have been able to lose 7 pounds since starting. So I know that you can take the weight off or keep it off if you are serious about it.
When I started it my pdoc prescribed 2.5 mg pills that we used to find the right dose for me. It ended up being 5-7.5 mg and I've stayed there ever since. I think it is worth a try, especially if you have an AD that works a little. This may help you over the next hurdle in treatment.
Posted by Lynne on March 19, 2000, at 11:45:20
In reply to Re: Zyprexa? for depression? Dosage?, posted by ChrisK on March 19, 2000, at 6:47:54
> I've been taking Zyprexa for quite awhile now and am very happy with it. I take 7.5 mg at night and it's really cleared up obsessive thoughts of suicide that go with my depression. As Cam said I think it is best as an augmenter for a standard AD.
>
> I did gain the weight on it. Two weeks ago I started a serious diet and excersize regiment and have been able to lose 7 pounds since starting. So I know that you can take the weight off or keep it off if you are serious about it.
>
> When I started it my pdoc prescribed 2.5 mg pills that we used to find the right dose for me. It ended up being 5-7.5 mg and I've stayed there ever since. I think it is worth a try, especially if you have an AD that works a little. This may help you over the next hurdle in treatment.Does Zyprexa make you mentally alert? I have never found a AD that didn't give me brain fog? I would love to find something that helped depression and obssesive behavior that did't make me feel as though I was drugged.Does Zyprexa help with social phobia?Any suggestions on meds for ADD? I liked Ritalin but it was like a roller coaster ride. It doesn't last long enough, and the Extended release doesn't work at all for me.
Again Thanks to eveyone,
Robin
Posted by Cam W. on March 19, 2000, at 12:00:52
In reply to Re: Zyprexa? for depression? Dosage?, posted by Lynne on March 19, 2000, at 11:45:20
Robin - I don't think Zyprexa makes you 'more alert', but it does seem to clear up cognition problems that are currently clouding your mind. This is only my opinion and several studies do say that it does improve cognition in schizophrenia. As for the different disorders Zyprexa is good for, the literature is awash with it being tried successfully for everything. I say, put it in the drinking water and we won't have to feel guilty gaining weight at Wendys (triple cheese, no tomato) or MacDonalds (double Big Mac & a cheese burger - for the ride home). Zyprexa does cause weight gain in many people, so factor this in to your calculations of trying it (can be reduced by proper diet and rigorous exercise). Hope this helps - Cam W.
Posted by ChrisK on March 20, 2000, at 5:20:39
In reply to Re: Zyprexa? for depression? Dosage?, posted by Lynne on March 19, 2000, at 11:45:20
I don't think I have a problem with alertness with Zyprexa. I had hit a state of anhedonia and since have added Welbutrin and Adderall to my cocktail. That addition has brought back my ability to have feelings, good or bad. It's been so many years of being numb that it is a relief to even be able to cry again.
I found the best thing about Zyprexa was relieving the borderline psychotic obsession with suicide. It worked after only a few days. I think if you try it you will notice its effect within a few days. It's not like the AD's that you have to wait for.
As far as the ADD, I don't have it but I do take the Adderall to activate me a little during the day. I take 20mg in the morning and then 10 mg twice during the day when I feel that the first dose is starting to wear out.
About a month ago I decided to try to reduce the amount of meds I'm taking (currently five). I stopped taking the Zyprexa for a couple of days and immediately felt worse. Supposedly Pfizer is coming out with a replacement for Zyprexa called Zeldox that will act in much the same way but with fewer side effects.
Hope some of this helps you,
Chris> Does Zyprexa make you mentally alert? I have never found a AD that didn't give me brain fog? I would love to find something that helped depression and obssesive behavior that did't make me feel as though I was drugged.Does Zyprexa help with social phobia?Any suggestions on meds for ADD? I liked Ritalin but it was like a roller coaster ride. It doesn't last long enough, and the Extended release doesn't work at all for me.
>
> Again Thanks to eveyone,
> Robin
This is the end of the thread.
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