![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Zyprexa on March 12, 2012, at 3:12:44
I'm convinced now that zyprexa loses potency after 2 months. It hapens every time I fill a new script. Generic or brand same thing. I started a fresh bottle Nov 15, it was strong as the 15mg zyprexa from may. I'm at the very end of that bottle now and its not working very well at all. I took some of a fresh bottle I just filled for a week and felt great no problems. So I went back to takin the rest of the older bottle and it didn't work. I can tell when the zyprexa is working because if it isn't I start drinking more and have thoughts of smoking pot. This happens with out even thinking about it. At the time I just don't feel right.
Also its different with the perphenazine. Some times its working better than others. I can tell because if its working realy good I fall to sleep about 5 hours after taking it. Its not like the zyprexa, I mean it does not go bad. It stays good no matter how old. I'm not sure its because the zyprexa is not having an added effect at the time. Or I'm drinking more at the time or more tired at the time or what.
Am I just going through some sort of cycles. Where my body is just naturaly having highs and lows or what is going on. I know the meds are keeping me from going psychotic or delusional or anything schitzo. So is this the bipolar side of schitzoaffective? I have extra zyprexa to take prn, which I've been taking twice a week. Don't realy need it with the new zyprexa but need it more with old zyprexa. I can't realy get month supply from local pharmacy, because they don't stock as often so its not going to be as fresh. So I get 3 month supply from major mail order pharmacy, plus its cheeper.
Anyways it would be interesting if anyone has any insights on this.
Posted by SLS on March 12, 2012, at 7:20:14
In reply to Why do my meds not work aswell all the time?, posted by Zyprexa on March 12, 2012, at 3:12:44
You might want to use a mood chart. You can track whatever symptoms are most variable.
You can use the following chart, and modify the symptom scale as you think makes the most sense:
http://www.slschofield.com/medicine/mood_chart_beam.pdf
Since I didn't want to track mania, I simply extended the chart such that euthymic remission represented the top of the scale. There are places for you to note external events as well as anxiety. Perhaps you will see a regular periodicity of symptom magnitude.
Unfortunately, many people have "bumps in the road" that occur from time to time for no apparent reason. Of course, women must take into consideration their monthly cycle.
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on March 12, 2012, at 7:55:40
In reply to Re: Why do my meds not work aswell all the time? » Zyprexa, posted by SLS on March 12, 2012, at 7:20:14
Anything's possible. Although, its probably been sitting on their shelf for more than a month.
Posted by Phillipa on March 12, 2012, at 10:27:01
In reply to Re: Why do my meds not work aswell all the time?, posted by linkadge on March 12, 2012, at 7:55:40
I thought since meds have a year expiration date on them that they lasted for years after that. As most of my meds have been saving for years in case can't get them or a doc. Phillipa
Posted by Zyprexa on March 13, 2012, at 2:34:46
In reply to Re: Why do my meds not work aswell all the time?, posted by Phillipa on March 12, 2012, at 10:27:01
Me too phillipa. Thats why I noticed what was going on with the zyprexa. Maybe I'm just crazy, but it seems to happen too frequently.
I admit that I have fluctuating events in life that could be part of the problem. But I notice the difference when I get a new bottle of zyprexa. Have I just been taking it too long to not notice something. I even think I may see a difference in perphenazine now. A more clear response with new and a sleepyer stronger when old. I'm starting to wonder if I should stop holding a stock pile?
Posted by Zyprexa on March 13, 2012, at 2:36:12
In reply to Re: Why do my meds not work aswell all the time?, posted by linkadge on March 12, 2012, at 7:55:40
You mean at the local pharmacy?
Posted by kagome on March 13, 2012, at 14:35:07
In reply to Re: Why do my meds not work aswell all the time?, posted by linkadge on March 12, 2012, at 7:55:40
My last p-doc told me "it's not normal for meds to just stop working, that means there's something else going on you need to deal with in therapy." I really did not like him.
Personally I think it totally makes sense that your brain changes with new chemicals then gets used to them and adjusts back to homeostasis, as in where it was at before. I personally felt that even favorite meds such as Lammictal would poop out occasionally and I could never see any correlation between those times and life events. However it almost always worked to take a "med vacation" - stop taking the med for a few days or week and then start again - which I think corroborates my tolerance theory.
Posted by Zyprexa on March 14, 2012, at 6:16:48
In reply to Re: Why do my meds not work aswell all the time?, posted by kagome on March 13, 2012, at 14:35:07
I like that message! Sounds like something I said before. I did just do a med vacation on zyprexa 3 months ago. The thing is that I'm on a lower dose now than before the med holiday. I was on 15mg now I'm on 10mg with a 5mg prn twice a week. I feel great after I take the prn. When I was on the med holiday I only actualy made it down to 5mg a day, for a couple weeks. It was decided that I only needed 10mg. last month I added the prn. Now I'm wondering if I need to go back up to 15mg everyday? I would have to convince my doc, but don't think she wants to do that. I do feel like I'm doing much better now than on 5mg. The whole washout did me in for a while.
Posted by HappyGirl on March 14, 2012, at 13:32:27
In reply to Why do my meds not work aswell all the time?, posted by Zyprexa on March 12, 2012, at 3:12:44
The pharmacist at local pharmacy told me most of meds. last 3 years if keeping them in cool place, even though the package indicates one year's expiration.
However, in terms of its efficacy, .... newer rx'ed med. is better than older rx'ed med.
As to Zyprexa, I've been taking for last 7 - 10 years for my BP II with rapid cycler, it works really well. I never feel any difference in between a year's rx'ed Zyprexa and freshly rx'ed one.
In my guess, .... probably, the chemcial in your brain might have starting to change, ... not rx'ed date of the Zyprexa, as seeing you've been taking prn for awhile that might give some confusion to the chemical of your brain?(just guess).
Posted by Zyprexa on March 15, 2012, at 6:17:13
In reply to Re: Why do my meds not work aswell all the time?, posted by HappyGirl on March 14, 2012, at 13:32:27
I realy don't know what is going on with me. I took older zyprexa the other day and it was just fine.
Posted by HappyGirl on March 15, 2012, at 12:31:26
In reply to Re: Why do my meds not work aswell all the time?, posted by Zyprexa on March 15, 2012, at 6:17:13
> I realy don't know what is going on with me. I took older zyprexa the other day and it was just fine.
In my experience for past seven to ten years' Zyprexa, ....
Once I ordered it through Mail-Order from Canada because I didn't have a good insurance to purdchase an expensive Zyprexa from local pharmacy. However, this med. was NOT as effective as US med., ... or, simply this, 'Canadian Mail Order' is a bogus to simply 'money-maker' which selling a cheapest, third-country made Zyprexa that costs merely $2.00 each and like. Anyway, I learned a lesson NEVER buy cheapest-med. even less than a hlf the US price.Also, maker is for me, important, because even the exact same Zyprexa, there is a bit difference among manufactures, particularly generic version of meds.
In term of its efficacy, ... it's hard to tell, ... but if you've been on three or four different med., then other med. might be some influence to the Zyprexa? Because, Zyprexa has, in my case, good booster to other meds. I've been on. Particularly, Zyprexa and Lithium is a good combo to alleviate my BP II with rapid cycler.
If you havn't talked to pdoc. about this, above, try to make an appt. with him/her, because Zyprexa is very crucial med. for us to feel better.
Posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2012, at 20:35:14
In reply to Re: Why do my meds not work aswell all the time?, posted by Zyprexa on March 15, 2012, at 6:17:13
How are you doing now? Phillipa
Posted by phidippus on March 17, 2012, at 20:52:55
In reply to Why do my meds not work aswell all the time?, posted by Zyprexa on March 12, 2012, at 3:12:44
I don't think the Zyprexa is losing power, I just think your symptoms are worsening or waning. Do a mood chart-you may find you need more stabilizer.
Eric
Posted by Zyprexa on March 20, 2012, at 1:26:22
In reply to Re: Why do my meds not work aswell all the time?, posted by HappyGirl on March 15, 2012, at 12:31:26
Glad to know it was not just me. I've been taking new stuff for past week and its working realy good. I'm starting to think its losing potency again. I'm going to finish the old stuff for the next week and see what happens. It's funny when I take stronger zyprexa the perphenazine works better also. The reason I thought the old stuff was working better was because I took 15mg in the middle of a new 10mg week. When I was taking old I was taking 15mg and that worked. Now I'm taking 10mg with 15mg 2 times a week.
Posted by HappyGirl on March 20, 2012, at 10:52:19
In reply to Re: Why do my meds not work aswell all the time? » HappyGirl, posted by Zyprexa on March 20, 2012, at 1:26:22
> Glad to know it was not just me. I've been taking new stuff for past week and its working realy good. I'm starting to think its losing potency again. I'm going to finish the old stuff for the next week and see what happens. It's funny when I take stronger zyprexa the perphenazine works better also. The reason I thought the old stuff was working better was because I took 15mg in the middle of a new 10mg week. When I was taking old I was taking 15mg and that worked. Now I'm taking 10mg with 15mg 2 times a week.
One thing I know through taking the Zyprexa for the past 7 - 10 years, you'd better to stick to the same maker, if you're sensitive to the Zyprexa. Even formulas in the package is the exact same, I hear/read that the process of making the Zyprexa is slightly difference among the makers, particularly generic med.that applies to any meds. you've been taking. I don't know where you live, US or Canada, but here US, it appears to me that most of drug-makers follows FDA policies/rules, then I believe that any meds. are about same in regard to forumularities along with processing. In Canada, there are so many mail-order pharmacies, then I made a mistake to choose the cheapest pharmacy when I had a limited drug coverage even though all of pdoc. visits were covered.
Posted by Zyprexa on March 21, 2012, at 3:19:09
In reply to Re: Why do my meds not work aswell all the time? » Zyprexa, posted by HappyGirl on March 20, 2012, at 10:52:19
I'm in US. I've tried Zyprexa and generic Teva. Both seem to be as effective. Its just when they get old I think? I hear that Canada gov, buys all the meds from US in one bulk purchase. then gives it to pharmacies. I guess that it takes longer for them to get to the pharmacy. And then to send it back to the US would take a while. Maybe you were getting 2 month old zyprexa? Which manufacturer did you get?
Posted by HappyGirl on March 21, 2012, at 12:24:48
In reply to Re: Why do my meds not work aswell all the time? » HappyGirl, posted by Zyprexa on March 21, 2012, at 3:19:09
> Which manufacturer did you get?
Mine is 'PRASCO' that I got about six months ago, from local pharmacy. Prior to this, I had 'Eli Lilly.' To me, Brand and Generic is no difference in terms to 'efficacy.' Teva is a good generic maker as far as I know.
I have no idea Canadian-gov., but when I did mail-order through the Internet, the maker was not US-made, it's Canadian-made or unknown-country. Also, as I stated in the previous response, this was one of cheapest Canadian mail-order, much more than half its price. There are many, many good and trustworthy Canadian drug makers, then there is no any difference in between US and Canada.
The crcial point to this is that we, consumers/patients need to purchase from reputable and trustworthy drug makers, even the price might be much higher than unknown drug makers. However, some of consumers are lucky enough to withstand those, cheapest med. made by unknown countires. Maybe, everybody is different. If you're sensitive to a change of med-makers or anything about med., you may need to stick to the same drug maker.
Posted by SLS on March 21, 2012, at 13:41:40
In reply to Why do my meds not work aswell all the time?, posted by Zyprexa on March 12, 2012, at 3:12:44
This might be a related topic.
Why antidepressants might not work as well the second time:
A first exposure to an antidepressant can involve second messenger cascades leading to compensatory changes in gene expression. Unfortunately, the machinery is now prepared for s second exposure.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on March 21, 2012, at 18:59:42
In reply to Why do meds not work as well the second time?, posted by SLS on March 21, 2012, at 13:41:40
Scott I don't understand but would explain a lot of my problems? Phillipa
Posted by Zyprexa on March 22, 2012, at 21:26:02
In reply to Why do meds not work as well the second time?, posted by SLS on March 21, 2012, at 13:41:40
I decided to stick with the new olanzapine. Untill I run out and see if it gets weaker over the next 3 months. The 10mg dose is working great right now. Just like before the abilify.
Posted by Zyprexa on March 22, 2012, at 21:29:27
In reply to Re: Why do my meds not work aswell all the time? » Zyprexa, posted by HappyGirl on March 21, 2012, at 12:24:48
Oh and I don't feel the need for a 15mg dose. So I'm going to see if 10mg new works fine, by itself.
Posted by SLS on March 23, 2012, at 0:37:33
In reply to Re: Why do my meds not work aswell all the time?, posted by Zyprexa on March 22, 2012, at 21:29:27
> Oh and I don't feel the need for a 15mg dose. So I'm going to see if 10mg new works fine, by itself.
Abilify is a great drug when it works. However, I think it can interfere with the actions of other coadministered antipsychotics, especially if they have lower binding affinities.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.