[185329]

I am on 30mg Olanzapine and 20mg Escitalopram (Lexapro). I feel like increasing my Olanzapine to 35mg because I have been feeling symptomatic. Back when my symptoms were much quieter, I was on 3mg Invega, 30mg Olanzapine, and 30mg Escitalopram. I felt like I was closer to reality back then. I currently have only 20mg and 10mg Olanzapine tablets. I suppose I could use a pill-cutter I have and cut a 10mg tablet in half. It's been over five weeks since I last increased my Olanzapine from 25mg to 30mg. I feel it's rather ridiculous that I would have to wait until my next psych doc appointment just to say to him, "I want to increase my Olanzapine to 35mg.", and then him saying, "Ok". And then pay him over a hundred dollars just for him to give me the "Ok". I think it's fine for me to raise my dose.

[splitimage]

Personally, I wouldn't without discussing it with my Dr. My Dr. and I have a pretty good relationship now, so if I do want to make a med change that I feel is really straightforward I'll just leave him a voicemail message saying this is what I want to do, and if he has concerns call me. Also your Dr. may have other suggestions as to what meds might be added or changed.

[Pinny]

Im so sorry youre struggling @185329

I agree with @splitimage
It could be unsafe to increase the dose yourself. Maybe you could call or email your pdoc?

Youre already on a dose of Olanzapine above the maximum dose that is licensed in the UK.

[Nammu]

Takeing more of a prescribed med is a good way to run out of the medication and then be stuck unable to get a refill

[Travelinglady]

Yes, by all means don't just do it. Get your doctor to prescribe a higher dose, if that will help. On the other hand, maybe that's not the drug for you.

[WastingAsparagus]

Usually not - I have done this in the past, and it usually just ends up with my psychiatrist being confused and doesn't really help us narrow in on any particular treatment that's going to help.

I suppose the best idea is probably just to either wait until you see the doctor next or phone him before then and ask about the dosage increase.

Also, just to note, unless I'm wrong, the max dosage of Zyprexa is 20 mg, (this is not medical advice) so it seems even more likely that your doctor (who is a specialist I presume) would need to weigh in at some level to see whether that's an adequate dose for you (35 mg Zyprexa). It seems quite high to me, to be honest, but again, I am no medical specialist.

Hopefully you have a method of contacting your doctor in between appointments, and you can call him about this matter.