Posted by Elizabeth on May 16, 1999, at 15:49:07
In reply to Re: Olanzapine anti-manic drug?- answer again, posted by Louise on May 16, 1999, at 13:59:28
Louise,
Yes, you can use Zyprexa and other antipsychotic drugs as sleep aids, and I think that in bipolar disorder this would be potentially very helpful.
It's not entirely clear whether insomnia is an early symptom of mania or a possible *cause* of mania - it might be both (where the symptom drives the mania, creating a positive feedback loop).
I sympathize with your reasons for not wanting to use benzodiazepines (temazepam etc.) for sleep. They don't tend to work for long anyway.
Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) is not exactly a "stronger" tranquilizer than olanzapine, but it does tend to have more side effects.
poster:Elizabeth
thread:5953
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990501/msgs/6181.html