[SingDanceRunLife]

If you take or have taken any of the meds in the title (Rexulti, Vraylar, Ivnega or Saphris), how well have they worked for me, and have you gained weight from them?

I'm trying to get off Zyprexa which has made me gain about 40lbs which is not okay! The only thing is, Zyprexa is the drug that works best for me which is why I'm on it despite the weight gain, but if I can find something else that works that won't make me gain weight, that'd be great!

[benzenering]

I used to take Zyprexa many years ago and I packed on the pounds, too. As a matter of fact, I haven't lost those pounds! I have been taking Saphris for around 5 years and have not gained any additional weight. Tastes nasty but works for me...I haven't had an episode since I've been taking it. I also sleep quite well on it, so I have to take it all at night. I hope that you find something that works!

When I started with Zyprexa I was rather underweight and I gained 30 kg (which made me a bit overweight). While tapering off and quitting Zyprexa I lost 15 kg of that weight. Now I'm on Clozapine and I have yet to gain it back.

Not sure how helpful this is, as you're not inquiring about clozapine & because you don't usually get put on clozapine if there are still other options left.. but I just wanted to put in my two cents.

[SingDanceRunLife]

Thanks for your input guys. I really appreciate it, and I'm trying to gather as much info as I can before my appointment next Thursday.

[BlessedRhiannon]

Just started Vraylar at the smallest dose (1.5 mg) last week. Don't have much to report on it yet. My pdoc said it is not supposed to cause weight gain and in general has a lower side effect profile than many others. Personally, I think that it's showing less side effects because it's just so new that stuff hasn't been reported yet - but that might be the cynic in me.

Anyway, so far, no side effects on Vraylar, but time will tell.

Something to consider with Vraylar - unless your pdoc can give you samples or you're eligible for the discount card, this stuff is crazy expensive. My insurance doesn't even cover it because it is too new.

[SingDanceRunLife]

Originally Posted by BlessedRhiannon

Just started Vraylar at the smallest dose (1.5 mg) last week. Don't have much to report on it yet. My pdoc said it is not supposed to cause weight gain and in general has a lower side effect profile than many others. Personally, I think that it's showing less side effects because it's just so new that stuff hasn't been reported yet - but that might be the cynic in me.

Anyway, so far, no side effects on Vraylar, but time will tell.

Something to consider with Vraylar - unless your pdoc can give you samples or you're eligible for the discount card, this stuff is crazy expensive. My insurance doesn't even cover it because it is too new.

Good to know about the cost. I would assume my insurance covers it since I started having $0 copays a few weeks ago when they would usually cost anywhere between $2 and $5.

[lilypup]

Both Vraylar and Rexulti are unbelievably pricey. Good luck with those.

[SingDanceRunLife]

Originally Posted by lilypup

Both Vraylar and Rexulti are unbelievably pricey. Good luck with those.

Even with good insurance? Cause my insurance is really good.

[BlessedRhiannon]

Originally Posted by SingDanceRunLife

Even with good insurance? Cause my insurance is really good.

My insurance is pretty decent for prescriptions, and Vraylar is simply not even covered. When I went to look it up, its flagged as exempt from coverage. It wouldn't hurt to double check your prescription coverage on them.

My pdoc just keeps lots of sample packs on hand and gives those out instead of writing a prescription to be filled.

[SingDanceRunLife]

Originally Posted by BlessedRhiannon

My insurance is pretty decent for prescriptions, and Vraylar is simply not even covered. When I went to look it up, its flagged as exempt from coverage. It wouldn't hurt to double check your prescription coverage on them.

My pdoc just keeps lots of sample packs on hand and gives those out instead of writing a prescription to be filled.

Wow! I'll have to see if I can check my insurance coverage. I know with my old insurance I could look up any med at any dose and see how much it would cost me. Very useful tool. I don't know if my current insurance does the same.

[tydygy]

I take Vraylar and my insurance pays for it. I've been on it for 5 weeks and no weight gain. It's $1100+ for a 30 day supply of 3mg caps. My copay was $0. My doc also gives me samples.

Saphris was good for me with no weight gain on 5mg a day...but if you take a lot of Xyprexa you will need more Saphris than 5mg...probably 15mg which did put a little weight on.

Xyprexa for me put a ton of weight on me too. I couldn't function on 10mg. I just ate and slept.

Invega seemed to work but I took it with Depakote and Paxil so I gained a lot of weight but I'm not sure if Invega did it or not....I know Depakote does.

[SingDanceRunLife]

Originally Posted by tydygy

I take Vraylar and my insurance pays for it. I've been on it for 5 weeks and no weight gain. It's $1100+ for a 30 day supply of 3mg caps. My copay was $0. My doc also gives me samples.

Saphris was good for me with no weight gain on 5mg a day...but if you take a lot of Xyprexa you will need more Saphris than 5mg...probably 15mg which did put a little weight on.

Xyprexa for me put a ton of weight on me too. I couldn't function on 10mg. I just ate and slept.

Invega seemed to work but I took it with Depakote and Paxil so I gained a lot of weight but I'm not sure if Invega did it or not....I know Depakote does.

Thanks for your experiences.

Depakote never made me gain any weight. I mean, maybe, maybe 5lbs, but I was on something else at the time known for weight gain, so I doubt it was the depakote.

I take 15mg of Zyprexa. I was on 10mg and my pdoc upped it because I was still having symptoms. But if I stay on it I'm asking to go back to 10mg because adding that extra 5mg made me gain weight. I had plateaued at 10mg and gained another 10-15 after upping my dose.