Welcome to our community Nancy,Many individuals can't tolerate the weight gain caused by Zyprexa (olanzapine) or the other newer ("atypical") antipsychotic medications.
Fortunately there are older antipsychotic medications that are just as effective as Zyprexa. These older medications don't cause the weight gain that the newer antipsychotic medications cause.
My two favorite older antipsychotic medications are:
When these older antipsychotic medications are started at a low dose, then gradually increased to a therapeutic dose over the next 1-2 weeks, they usually cause little adverse effects. Some individuals (less than 10%) develop restlessness (pacing etc.), hand tremor, or muscle stiffness on these medications.
Often these adverse effects can be removed by the addition of "anti-parkinsonian" medication (e.g., benztropine, procyclidine etc.). The vast majority of my patients on flupenthixol or loxapine have minimal adverse effects and prefer these older medications to the newer antipsychotic medication.
Another very important point is that antipsychotic medication is usually ineffective if an individual abuses alcohol or uses any illegal drug. Even one-half joint a day of cannabis ("pot") will significantly reduce the effectiveness of any antipsychotic medication.
Perhaps you can discuss these older antipsychotic medications with your doctor. Please keep our community informed concerning your progress. Remember, the vast majority of all individuals treated for their psychosis eventually experience the disappearance of their psychosis.
Phil Long M.D.
Administrator 
ZYPREXA
Posted - 01/14/2007 : 02:18:06
