Zprexa

[diane222338]

My son has suffered from bio-biolar since he was a teenager.  During a recent eposide his mental health NP told him to take Benedryl since he wasn't sleeping.  (this happens during the manic stage)  The Benedryl did not work.  He was completely depressed and from a zero to ten scale described himself as feeling zero.   She suggested he try Zprexa.  She gave him samples.  Within a couple days he was sleeping, feeling more like himself than he has in years.  After four days of samples she gave him four more days of samples, and then told him she did not think he needed the medicine.  

We have years of documentation that he is bio-polar; he's been on lithium and other anti-depresents.  So after 7 days of feeling great she does not want him to take it any longer.   What is wrong with this picture.   Is this normal???

Please respond please if anyone knows of any benefit of doing this.

[Chris6588]

I agree with both comments. i was on it for about a year and a half, and i GAINED alot of weight. i was eating more, and no matter  what i did i could not get the weight off. it does put you to sleep. my dr. recommended for me to take it at night to help me sleep.
I will say that i did do well on it, its just my weight is effecting my health right now, so i took myself off of it, to get my other issues under control.
what you might want to do is talk to your doctor, and ask if there is something more safer for your son to take that does not have these kind of side effects. if they refuse to offer you any insights or care to experiment, i would start looking for another doctor.  it is NOT worth putting you or your son through that kind of torture where no one wants to help.

[looloo141]

Hi, same as lindahand says I've never heard of that!
Yes the side effects are a shame given the good effects of the drug.
I was on it a year ago and I found it to be amazing as a crisis drug, especially during a high or mixed state. It just knocks my socks off and puts me to bed..that was the problem, it calmed me down brilliantly but once I'd recovered from the episode it was too sedating and I too put weight on..
This NP should have explained her reasons for just using it short term and what she plans to do next !

[lindahand]

I've never heard of that.

Perhaps she doesn't want him to be on it long term because it comes with some walloping side effects. Serious weight gain, increased risk of diabetes, and it can spike your cholesterol. Personally I loved the way my brain felt on Ziprexa, I would take the weight gain in a second, but my cholesterol spiked to dangerous levels on a relatively small dose so I had to go off it.

I would encourage him to talk with her more about it. Especially if his mood dips or elevates again.