alternatives to 20mg Olanzipine?

[ARoomSomewhere]

I have a friend on 20mg Olanzipine since she had a psychotic episode around 8 weeks ago. She was an inpatient under a section 2 for 4 of those weeks. Shes now home but wants to discontinue meds as she feels 'doped up'. I am encouraging her to comply.
(she wont take meds routinely and has an episode around every 3/4 years? usually an inpatient for about 2 months)

She's seeing Consultant soon.
Are there alternatives to Olanzipine which might make her feel less 'doped' so she might be more willing to continue with?
Obvs everyone reacts diff to diff drugs etc but i just hoped she might be able to ask about other drugs as i feel a bit worried about her simply stopping the meds?

[Mamazita]

I was on Olanzapine and found grub made me sluggish. I spoke to my psychiatrist and changed to aripiprozole. Your friend will have to wait until she sees her consultant and ask then for a med change. She would need to give good reasons for wanting to change medication. Good luck to her

[annandale]

There are quite a lot of antipsychotucs out there, yes. The dopeyness is really tough but my Dh used to say it did get better with time. Sulpiride worked pretty well for him but he has a relative on olanzapine and she's doing well with it. I do think it's very individual.

Could she discuss dose timing with her consultant, eg taking it in the evening so she sleeps through some of the dopey feeling? Depends how well it manages her psychosis symptoms.

From long experience though, try not to get too heavily involved with medication suggestions and monitoring. Psychosis is a tricky animal.

[ARoomSomewhere]

Hi Mamazita. She is eating far more than usual for her. Sleepy. Grumpy.

Hi annandale
Its not so much i want to get 'involved' - im aware this is a hiding to nothing, but i do want her to keep taking the meds. Her H, unfortunately, supports her stopping them asap Ive known her 30 years and I think it would be a mistake.

[ARoomSomewhere]

well the meeting is today so i will hear what happens in due course!

[lovemyboys25]

orlanzapine does make you eat a lot biggest side effect is increased appetite