how long does the side affects last

Hello tyleal,

It depends.  When my psychiatrist began the cross-titer from the Stelazine to the Geodon, raising the Geodon and lowering the Stelazine, for awhile I was on high doses of both drugs at the same time, and I was so fatigued I would fall asleep in the lunchroom after lunch at work.  I simply had to wait it out until the fatigue went away, and it did about three months later.

You should always bring up any side effects to your doctor and ask if there is something you can do to stop or minimize the side effect.  A side effect of Zyprexa, for example is weight gain and possible diabetes, and this could be permanent.

So I'm not sure what side effect you're talking about because you didn't mention the side effect by name.  Please do not discontinue the SZ meds because of the side effects, work with your doctor to come up with a solution. 

For 20 years, the Stelazine made me fatigued in the morning and it was a side effect I lived with during that time.  If you are experiencing a side effect you are unable to live with, tell your doctor as soon as possible.

Regards,

Christina