What is Zyprexa withdrawal?
Zyprexa is an atypical antipsychotic drug that is used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, depression and to decrease hallucinations. It helps in improving mood, thinking and behavior by restoring the balance of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Over a period of time with regular consumption, the brain gets used to its effects and cannot cope with an absence of it. In such a situation an individual suffers with zyprexa withdrawal.
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Zyprexa Withdrawal Symptoms
- Nausea
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Mood swings
- Lack of concentration
- Fever
- Muscle cramps
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Increased heart rate
- Weight gain
- Diarrhea
- Anxiety
- Tremors
- Sweating
Assessment
- Medical tests should be done to know the toxins and the levels in which they are present in the body.
- Psychiatric help is needed to know the reasons behind the intake of the drug.
- Knowing the patient’s medical history is important to decide on the correct method of treatment.
- Exact dosage and frequency of the intake of the drugs should also be known.
Treatment
- Gradual Taper is always the best way to withdraw from Zyprexa. It allows the body to slowly and steadily adjust to the absence of drug. Quitting cold turkey could prove to be dangerous.
- Individual factors play a critical role to determine the difficulty of withdrawal. While some might be very sensitive towards the changes, others might withdraw easily with social support of friends and family.
- Speaking to help groups and psychiatrist motivates the patient.
- Diverting attention to other activities helps to get away from the addiction and invest time in constructive activities.
- Supplements can be prescribed make up for the damage done to the health.
Prevention
- Use of the drug other than when it is prescribed should be avoided.
- The medication must not be taken with substances without the doctor’s consent.
How long does it take for zyprexa detox?
Timeline to detox from zyprexa is highly dependent on the dosage and the period of time for which the drug has been used. Low intensity or mild symptoms can take anywhere around 2 days to a couple of weeks. However, for severe cases, the time for the symptoms to disappear can be as high as 90 days.