Jump to content

AFAF: tapering journey (lexapro 20mg, olanzapine 2.5mg)


AFAF

Recommended Posts

Hi I am currently on lexapro and olanzapine. The olanzapine was used to augment my ssri. I've been feeling flat for a while now. I am not sure if it is the depression or the medication. I am somewhat stable (albeit perhaps lower/flatter mood than most) but am considering waiting a month or longer to check if I am stable enough to start tapering. I have read a lot of stuff here and the tips to taper olanzapine (which I will do first) and will do it liquid based and perhaps 5% of current dose every two weeks and speed up if things are ok, and see if anything improves. May lessen lexapro after a break after tapering olanzapine perhaps or see how I feel post taper of olanzapine.

 

I feel right now it is a big balance of becoming more stable/healthy before tapering as well weighing it up against the side effects of the medication (some cognitive/memory decline and fatty liver/high cholesterol). I guess if things don't go well I can reinstate the olanzapine so that's a possibility. I just worry I don't have the motivation each day to measure the dosages but once I start it probably won't be a big deal I hope. If anyone has any tips or insights I appreciate them? I'll keep posting on my journey once I start it. Thanks.

Edited by FireflyFyte
updated title

2017-2021 zoloft 100mg
2021 january fast taper to 0mg
2021 feb 25 mg effexor for 1 week, then stopped due to side effects
2021 march lexapro 10 mg
2021 april lexapro 20 mg + 2.5mg olanazapine
2021 june lexapro 20mg + 1.25mg olanazapine for 1 week (big mistake)
2021 july-september lexapro 30mg + 2.5mg olanzapine
2021 September (after 2 weeks) 25 mg + 2.5mg olanzapine
2021 September (after 2 weeks) 20mg + 2.5mg olanzapine

 

2023 September 20mg lexapro + 2.5mg olanzapine (want to taper olanzapine due to tiredness side effect)

Link to comment
  • Moderator

Hi AFAF,

 

Welcome to SA. Thank you for summarizing your drug history in your signature.

 

It appears that you have read them already but, just in case, you can find tips for tapering Olanzapine at Tips for tapering off Zyprexa (olanzapine).

 

3 hours ago, AFAF said:

will do it liquid based

 

If you plan to taper via a liquid solution, we encourage a slow switch from pill form to liquid form to ensure there are no issues with a new medium. A schedule for a switch could be -

  • 4-7 days at 3/4 pill and 1/4 liquid
  • 4-7 days at 1/2 pill and 1/2 liquid
  • 4-7 days at 1/4 pill and 3/4 liquid
  • 4-7 days at 4/4 liquid
3 hours ago, AFAF said:

I just worry I don't have the motivation each day to measure the dosages but once I start it probably won't be a big deal I hope.

 

I have been making a liquid solution for tapering Olanzapine since January and it can be slightly annoying sometimes, especially if I wait too late in the day to make it, but it is usually a fairly fast and straight forward process.

 

Thanks,

 

Firefly

 

Pre- October 2022: Wellbutrin, Escitalopram, CitalopramSertraline, Adderall IR, Vyvanse, Propranolol, Buspar, Ativan, and Latuda

Oct 13, 2022 - Oct 24, 2022 and Oct 31, 2022 - Present: Zyprexa (2.5 mg). Jan 14, 2023 -> Began transition to liquid suspension. Jan 29, 2023 = 2.375mg -> Feb 12, 2023 = 2.25mg -> Feb 27, 2023 = 2.14mg -> Mar 12, 2023 = 2.025mg -> Mar 27, 2023 = 1.93mg -> Apr 10, 2023 = 1.82mg -> Apr 23, 2023 = 1.74mg -> May 7, 2023 = 1.64mg -> May 21, 2023 = 1.56mg -> June 4, 2023 = 1.48mg -> June 19, 2023 = 1.4mg -> July 2, 2023 = 1.33mg -> July 16, 2023 = 1.26mg -> July 31, 2023 = 1.2mg -> Aug 13, 2023 = 1.14mg -> Aug 27, 2023 = 1.08mg -> Sep 13, 2023 = 1.02mg -> Jan 22, 2024 = 0.97mg -> Feb 4, 2024 = 0.92mg -> Feb 19, 2024 = 0.87mg -> Mar 3, 2024 = 0.83mg -> Mar 17, 2024 = 0.78mg -> Mar 31, 2024 = 0.74mg -> Apr 14, 2024 = 0.7mg -> Apr 28, 2024 = 0.66mg -> May 12, 2024 = 0.63mg -> May 27, 2024 = 0.6mg -> June 9, 2024 = 0.57mg -> June 24, 2024 = 0.54mg -> July 6, 2024 = 0.51mg -> July 21, 2024 = 0.48mg -> Aug 6, 2024 = 0.455mg -> Aug 20, 2024 = 0.43mg -> Sep 3, 2024 = 0.41mg -> Sep 17, 2024 = 0.39mg -> Oct 1, 2024 = 0.37mg -> Oct 16, 2024 = 0.35mg -> Oct 29, 2024 = 0.33mg

Oct 14, 2022 - Present: Prozac (40mg) upped from 20mg on Nov 1, 2022.

Oct 31, 2022 - Present: Gabapentin (300mg 3x day) -> May 3, 2023 = 300mg 2x day -> Oct 1, 2023 = 570mg -> Oct 15, 2023 = 540mg -> Oct 29, 2023 = 510mg -> Nov 13, 2023 = 484mg -> Nov 27, 2023 = 460mg -> Dec 9, 2023 = 436mg -> Dec 24, 2023 = 414mg -> Jan 7, 2024 = 400mg

 

Link to comment
  • FireflyFyte changed the title to AFAF: tapering journey (lexapro 20mg, olanzapine 2.5mg)
  • Moderator Emeritus
On 10/27/2023 at 7:48 PM, AFAF said:

I just worry I don't have the motivation each day to measure the dosages but once I start it probably won't be a big deal I hope.


Sounds like a sensible taper plan overall.  One thing that makes the daily dosing easier is an adjustable pipette that will draw out the amount you dial in on it.

 

There's a good amount of info on withdrawing from olanzapine here:  

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/3743-tips-for-tapering-off-zyprexa-olanzapine/

and general info on making a liquid suspension here:

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/3743-tips-for-tapering-off-zyprexa-olanzapine/

Cheers

 

I am not a health professional - your actions are your own.  

Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one"

My taper visualised as a graph   |   My intro thread

Backdrop:  2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole

2015: olanzapine  10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg  by crude pill cutter

2018:  Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold

Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214  -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂

Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks

Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^

Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone

 

Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you"  -- KMFDM

Link to comment

Thank you for the replies guys. Ok I will transition to liquid slowly and at the current dose. Does it matter what syringe I use? I worry the syrine will be too small to suck up the medication. I will be using the orodispersible tablets to create the solution soon.

 

Also syringe says discard after use. Can I reuse them?

2017-2021 zoloft 100mg
2021 january fast taper to 0mg
2021 feb 25 mg effexor for 1 week, then stopped due to side effects
2021 march lexapro 10 mg
2021 april lexapro 20 mg + 2.5mg olanazapine
2021 june lexapro 20mg + 1.25mg olanazapine for 1 week (big mistake)
2021 july-september lexapro 30mg + 2.5mg olanzapine
2021 September (after 2 weeks) 25 mg + 2.5mg olanzapine
2021 September (after 2 weeks) 20mg + 2.5mg olanzapine

 

2023 September 20mg lexapro + 2.5mg olanzapine (want to taper olanzapine due to tiredness side effect)

Link to comment
  • Moderator
11 hours ago, AFAF said:

Also syringe says discard after use. Can I reuse them?

 

I reused my syringes. Just rinsed and let dry. Also, if you have trouble with the black measurements wearing off, you can put a piece of clear taper over it, which will extend the life of the syringe. 

2003-2009 on and off various SSRI's for short periods

2010-2011 Ativan

2013-2021 ativan 1-1.5mg 10-12x/month, daily starting Oct 21 to help with buspar WD

2016 - Effexor 75mg, short-term

2021 Mar -Jun Buspar ADR at high dose, tapered 3 months

Oct 22/21 - Direct switch ativan to clonazepam (don't do this)

Tapered clonaz Oct/21 - Apr/23  - 0mg!

 

"Believe that your tragedies, your losses, your sorrows, your hurt, happened for you, not to you. And I bless the thing that broke you down and cracked you open, because the world needs you open" - Rebecca Campbell

 

*** Disclaimer: Please note, my suggestions/comments are based on my own personal experiences. Please consult a knowledgeable practitioner to discuss decisions regarding your medical care *** 

 

                                                             *** Please do not send me PM's ***

Link to comment
  • 5 months later...

Well I've finished tapering perhaps I should have slowed down more at the end but the withdrawal is bad but bearable. I have insomnia mainly which is the main problem and lack of energy/motivation. Anxiety is back but not too bad. I had been on this for 2.5 years or so I believe. How long should I expect the withdrawals to last for roughly? I worry it will be a long time. Thanks!

2017-2021 zoloft 100mg
2021 january fast taper to 0mg
2021 feb 25 mg effexor for 1 week, then stopped due to side effects
2021 march lexapro 10 mg
2021 april lexapro 20 mg + 2.5mg olanazapine
2021 june lexapro 20mg + 1.25mg olanazapine for 1 week (big mistake)
2021 july-september lexapro 30mg + 2.5mg olanzapine
2021 September (after 2 weeks) 25 mg + 2.5mg olanzapine
2021 September (after 2 weeks) 20mg + 2.5mg olanzapine

 

2023 September 20mg lexapro + 2.5mg olanzapine (want to taper olanzapine due to tiredness side effect)

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Did you follow the 10%/month tapering guidelines, @AFAF?

I am not a health professional - your actions are your own.  

Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one"

My taper visualised as a graph   |   My intro thread

Backdrop:  2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole

2015: olanzapine  10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg  by crude pill cutter

2018:  Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold

Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214  -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂

Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks

Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^

Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone

 

Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you"  -- KMFDM

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use Privacy Policy