[AspiringAuthor]

Between Clozapine 25 mg and Zyprexa 7.5 mg, and, given the propensity to EPS side effects, which one would you choose? Either one would be with Metformin to prevent diabetes.

I feel the same on either.

I do not mind the weekly blood draws for Clozapine.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Clozapine has been amazing for me. Instead of a constant mixed episode I feel pretty good most of the time. I'm depressed right now and not sure how bad it will get yet but so far after 2 years on clozaril my experience has been that it is easy to stop the bad times. in contrast zyprexa did nothing for me which I realize is rare.

Weight gain scared me before I started but i wsn't too bad, about 10 lbs. (with metformin) and I've dieted my way down to 15-20 lbs below my top on clozapine without a problem except i coincidentally had to stop for several months because of gallstones.

My current cocktail is the first time I've ever said to my pdoc '"i hate the the higher dose but it feels good so I want to stay here long term, even though I know I should be asking for a reduction but I LIKE this much" (she wants me a litle lower)\

It does make me very sleepy and thats much worse that anything else. Part of that is my other meds and some is my dose (the goal originally was 200 mg and I'm on 350. I just adust everything to the afternoon if possible.

I'm sleepy now and may have made enormous errors.. please feel you get. free to pm me if you want to know more since I may be the only positive. Clozapine is an unpopular drug on here for some reason.

[AspiringAuthor]

Thank you, BtB, that is reassuring to read. I feel lucky that 25 mg does it for me (more and I am depressed).

[Wonderfalls]

Clozapine is the stronger medicine. If they really worked exactly the same, then Zyprexa would be the better bet because it has fewer black box warnings--i.e. fewer serious things that can go wrong. But if clozapine works better, then your choice would have to take that into account.

[99fairies]

I was on clozapine for about a year. But I gained 60 pounds on it so my doc changed me over to Geodon. Ever since stopping, I've lost 50 pounds.

[Unrigged64072835]

Can't be on Clozaril because of liver issues. Zyprexa really calmed me down, but I had to have EKGs on a quarterly basis because it did prolong the QT heart rhythm. I already had high cholesterol and high blood sugar but didn't have to take Metformin.

When I was put on Metformin, though, I did lose a bit of weight.

[AspiringAuthor]

Originally Posted by 99fairies

I was on clozapine for about a year. But I gained 60 pounds on it so my doc changed me over to Geodon. Ever since stopping, I've lost 50 pounds.

congratulations! I also lost weight on Geodon in the past, although not 50 lbs, but much less