What is Zyprexa?

Zyprexa is an anti psychotic drug (also known as a neuroleptic) used to treat psychosis and psychotic mania. It’s called an atypical antipsychotic as it is a new class of drugs with less side effects that the old anti-psychotics such as Thorazine and Haldol.

Zyprexa is known for weight gain- an average of 20 pounds per person, but I definitely know people who don’t gain weight at all. It’s used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

I have seen it work miracles on people who are very ill. It’s hard to find a balance between the benefits of the drug and the side effects- but for many, the benefits are what matters. I have a friend who was on the drug for two years to keep her mania and psychosis in check. It definitely kept her out of the hospital- but she felt over drugged and gained weight. I am so incredibly proud [ Read More ]





Abilfy and Lamictal Side Effect: Akathisia

I’ve been on both Abilify and Lamictal. Abilify if an antipsychotic used to treat psychotic bipolar symptoms as well as mania. Lamictal is a ‘mood stabilizer’ that’s actually an anticonvulsant drug used to treat bipolar depression. It’s not a drug used to manage mania. But, it does help people with rapid cycling.

Abilify is an atypical antipsychotic along with Risperdal, Seroquel and Zyprexa. Atypical means the drugs are newer and have less side effects than the older ‘dirty’ drugs such as Thorazine and and Haldol.

I’m having some tough side effects with my Lamictal tonight and they remind me of what my friend Sherri went through when she was on Abilify.

We both had restlessness, leg pain, an uncomfortable body and trouble sleeping. This is called Akathisia.  Technically it’s an inability to sit down. Abilify is known to have this as a side effect, whereas my Lamictal problems tend to be from not having enough [ Read More ]





Bipolar Disorder and Medications: Lithium, Zoloft, Celexa, Lamictal

Here are some stories that illustrate a fact: bipolar disorder medication efficacy can change over time.

Lithium: My dear friend Sherri- who has bipolar I-  took Lithium successfully for over eight years.  Two years ago she had a severe manic/psychotic episode without a major trigger. My coauthor Dr. John Preston calls them breakthrough mood swings. She spent the past two years on Lithium and Zyprexa. It was a tough two years, but she is doing SO well. I just talked with her today and I said, “It’s so great to have Sherri back!” She said that her husband feels the same. People do get better!

Zoloft: Another friend was on Zoloft for ten years. It stopped working effectively. She then tried Celexa. It worked for a while, but not as well as Zoloft. So she’s going back on the Zoloft! It’s an art to find out what drug works for you. It is a lifelong [ Read More ]





Bipolar Disorder and Abilify

You may have noticed that many people with bipolar disorder take Abilify.  

 Abilify is an antipsychotic medication- also known as a neuroleptic. It’s a newer antipsychotic, so it’s called an atypical anti psychotic! Whew. It, along with the other atypicals such as Risperdal and Zyprexa have less side effects than the older drugs such as Thorazine and Haldol.

 This doesn’t mean they don’t have major side effects. They still do, but they’re easier to tolerate for many people.

 The main plus of Abilify is that it doesn’t seem to have the weight gain problems associated with drugs such as Zyprexa and Risperdal.  That is a plus.  On the down side, Abilify can be extremely sedating for some (ME!) or very agitating for others (my friend Sherri).

 It’s always a trade off. Abilify can help with mania and suicidal thoughts.

 Many people with bipolar disorder take anti psychotics. They just aren’t talked about as much as [ Read More ]