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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
        
(Message started by: Superirish2005 on Aug 29^th, 2006, 10:10am)

Title: Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Post by Superirish2005 on Aug 29^th, 2006, 10:10am

I heard this was cheaper then Maxalt and is a pill that works within 20 minutes after taking.

My question is this, how many pills come in a prescription? I get 9 pills for Maxalt for $30....

Should I ask my doctor about Olanzapine (Zyprexa) as an abortive pill?

Title: Re: Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Post by clavers on Aug 29^th, 2006, 10:16am

I got a bottle of about 20 but I do not remember the cost. Zyprexa works pretty good, but there is one downside. For me, after I take one, I am asleep four hours later.

Title: Re: Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Post by Bob_Johnson on Aug 29^th, 2006, 10:21am

The number of pills is under the doc's control: It can be as few as one. But ask for a free sample from the doc so that you can try it before spending any money.
==============
Headache 2001 Sep;41(8):813-6

Olanzapine as an Abortive Agent for Cluster Headache.

Rozen TD.

Department of Neurology, Jefferson Headache Center/Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate olanzapine as a cluster headache abortive agent in an open-label trial. BACKGROUND: Cluster headache is the most painful headache syndrome known. There are very few recognized abortive therapies for cluster headache and fewer for patients who have contraindications to vasoconstrictive drugs. METHODS: Olanzapine was given as an abortive agent to five patients with cluster headache in an open-label trial. The initial olanzapine dose was 5 mg, and the dose was increased to 10 mg if there was no pain relief. The dosage was decreased to 2.5 mg if the 5-mg dose was effective but caused adverse effects. To be included in the study, each patient had to treat at least two attacks with either an effective dose or the highest tolerated dose. RESULTS: Five patients completed the investigation (four men, one woman; four with chronic cluster, one with episodic cluster). Olanzapine reduced cluster pain by at least 80% in four of five patients, and two patients became headache-free after taking the drug. Olanzapine typically alleviated pain within 20 minutes after oral dosing and treatment response was consistent across multiple treated attacks. The only adverse event was sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Olanzapine appears to be a good abortive agent for cluster headache. It alleviates pain quickly and has a consistent response across multiple treated attacks. It appears to work in both episodic and chronic cluster headache.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Olanzapine has a brand name of "Zyprexa" and is a antipsychotic. Don't be put off by this primary usage. Several of the drugs used to treat CH are cross over applications, that is, drugs approved by the FDA for one purpose which are found to be effective with unrelated conditions--BJ.

Title: Re: Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Post by E-Double on Aug 29^th, 2006, 10:49am

[smiley=thumb.gif]

Title: Re: Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Post by Gator on Aug 29^th, 2006, 4:24pm

20 pills cost me about $90 bucks here is Stillwater, Oklahoma.

As well as it works for some people, we all know that everything we take for this disorder carries some risk and people should be made aware of the risks as well as the benefits so they can make informed decisions about the meds they take.

One thing to be mindful of with Zyprexa (and all atypical antipsychotics) is there is a risk of hyperglycemia, diabetes and weight gain. The FDA requires all manufacturers of atypical antipsychotics to include warnings about this.

Here are a few links containing information on the potential risks of taking Zyprexa.

Letter to doctors from Eli Lilly found on the FDA Medwatch site:

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2004/zyprexa.htm

There are also warnings from The American Diabetes Association)

http://www.diabetes.org/for-media/2004-press-releases/jan-27-04.jsp

Excerpt from an article by the Alliance for Human Research Protection

http://www.ahrp.org/infomail/0702/12b.php

Quote:

On July 1, 2002, Duke University issued a Press Release about the most recent finding that links the new anti-psychotics to early onset diabetes. The team of researchers--Elizabeth A. Koller, M.D. from the FDA, and Murali Doraiswamy, M.D. from Duke-- analyzed FDA's adverse drug report database, MedWatch (which receives 10% of adverse drug reports). They identified 289 cases of diabetes in patients who had been prescribed olanzapine (a.k.a. Zyprexa), Eli Lilly's most profitable drug.

The researchers reported: "Of the 289 cases of diabetes linked to the use of olanzapine, 225 were newly diagnosed cases. One hundred patients developed ketosis (a serious complication of diabetes), and 22 people developed pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, which is a life-threatening condition. There were 23 deaths, including that of a 15-year-old adolescent who died of necrotizing pancreatitis, a condition where the pancreas breaks down and dies. Most cases (71 percent) occurred within six months of starting the drug and many cases were associated with moderate weight gain."

And an excerpt from a Wiki article on Zyprexa:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olanzapine

Quote:

Recently the FDA required the manufacturers of all atypical antipsychotics to include a warning about the risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes with atypical antipsychotics. Additionally there are some case reports of olanzapine-induced diabetic ketoacidosis. There is data showing that olanzapine can decrease insulin sensitivity. In addition, increased triglyceride levels may also be an issue with olanzapine. Impaired glucose metabolism, high triglycerides, and obesity have been shown to be constituents of the metabolic syndrome and may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The data suggests that olanzapine may be more likely to cause adverse metabolic effects than some of the other atypical antipsychotics.

I don't know how this would apply to us using a low dosage on an occassional basis versus it's daily use in treating mental disorders. Sometimes an immediate solution is worth the long term risk, but that is a decision each individual has to make for him/herself. I will continue to use it as I have been - for those days when I have reached the triptan limits and oxygen isn't cutting it or I am somewhere I just cannot take an O2 bottle or give myself a shot.

Title: Re: Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Post by Superirish2005 on Aug 29^th, 2006, 4:27pm

wow, Gator thanks for the info but you pretty much scared me away from that, 20 pills at $90 is more expensive then Maxalt and all those side effects are scary.

I may just stick with my Maxalt.

Title: Re: Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Post by Bob_Johnson on Aug 29^th, 2006, 7:20pm

It's not responsible to run out the worst horror stories about a drug without putting the risks in context. Olanzapine, used once or twice a day for the short term, as with CH, is not the same as long term, high dosage, use for psychotic disorders. Without making that very clear, this information is hurtful.

Simple aspirin results in many hospitalizations every year--but when used to massive excess--a form of drug abuse. But few of us would ban it from the market knowing that it's an effective med when used responsibly.

We now have evidence that Imitrex can alter the pattern of CH--when used in high doses for long periods. But that is not a reason for not using for not using it with prudence and moderation.

And on it goes: we need accurate and balanced data about ANY med before making a judgment about whether it's suitable for our personal needs.

Title: Re: Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Post by eddie on Aug 30^th, 2006, 1:00pm

zyprexa works great!!!!!!!
samples from doc is the way to go.

Title: Re: Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Post by Gator on Aug 31^st, 2006, 4:27pm

It's also irresponsible to post only the positive aspects of a medication and ignore any negative consequences. Some people come here and try what they read with no further research on their own. Not the smartest thing one could do, but you know it happens.

Lilly recommends a dosage maximum of 20mg per day. The recommended way for clusterheads to take Zyprexa is to start at 5mg then go up to 10mg if 5mg doesn't work or go down to 2.5mg if 5mg works. If a clusterhead (say a chronic with a heart condition and multiple attacks per day) takes 5mg two or three times a day to abort attacks, s/he is not taking a "low dose" on a short term basis.

I posted information - not "the worst horror stories." I also didn't advocate removing it from the market. If you look, I also stated:

Quote:

I will continue to use it as I have been - for those days when I have reached the triptan limits and oxygen isn't cutting it or I am somewhere I just cannot take an O2 bottle or give myself a shot.

Quote:

And on it goes: we need accurate and balanced data about ANY med before making a judgment about whether it's suitable for our personal needs.

You are absolutely correct. Balance requires both the good and the bad info, which is why I posted what I did. The only information I have seen posted about adverse side effects is what is listed in the PubMed Olanzapine article. (The only adverse event was sleepiness.)