![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 62. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ed_uk on July 29, 2005, at 15:57:15
Has anyone ever taken Haldol? If you have, what dose did you take and how did you find it?
~Ed
Posted by fairywings on July 29, 2005, at 23:52:22
In reply to Haloperidol (Haldol), posted by ed_uk on July 29, 2005, at 15:57:15
> Has anyone ever taken Haldol? If you have, what dose did you take and how did you find it?
>
> ~EdI took it when I was a teen - you know, the doctor from H*ll rx'd it! I wasn't psychotic, and I think it's an anti-psychotic. It was very scary for me. Don't remember specifics other than I was knocked out and felt unreal. Sorry don't remember any more than that, just that it was very bad for me. Good lord, he was a very bad doc!
Are you going to take it Eddy?
fairywings
Posted by med_empowered on July 30, 2005, at 1:57:44
In reply to Re: Haloperidol (Haldol) » ed_uk, posted by fairywings on July 29, 2005, at 23:52:22
hey! I've never taken it, but I had a relative who did at one point take it...she was schizophrenic, so I guess it was routine--from what I understand, the dosage was a little high b/c of high levels of aggression and treatment resistance on. Anyway, that didn't fly with her (with all the talk of "cognitive impairment" with schizophrenia, she was a brilliant woman), and so she opted for a more intensive psycho-social treatment plan in a group home...I think there they were using clozapine and depakote for symptom control.
Posted by Declan on July 30, 2005, at 2:48:07
In reply to Re: Haloperidol (Haldol) » ed_uk, posted by fairywings on July 29, 2005, at 23:52:22
You're young and unhappy and looking for something, and after the talk with the shrink he Rxs APs because of course you told him terrible stuff and no question of abuse. Serenace 0.5mg I didn't notice, but with 1.5mg what you could expect was clear enough.
I think they're something else.
The old ones anyway.
Declan
Posted by ed_uk on July 30, 2005, at 4:03:24
In reply to Re: Haloperidol (Haldol) » ed_uk, posted by fairywings on July 29, 2005, at 23:52:22
Hi Fairy!
>Are you going to take it Eddy?
Thankfully not :-)
Ed xx
Posted by ed_uk on July 30, 2005, at 4:11:39
In reply to Re: Haloperidol (Haldol), posted by Declan on July 30, 2005, at 2:48:07
Hi Declan,
IMO, the high strength haloperidol capsules/tablets ought to be discontinued eg. the 10mg and 20mg tablets. This would discourage doctors from prescribing excessively high doses. The 0.5mg and 1.5mg and 5mg tablets are the only strengths which are necessary to treat schizophrenia/acute mania.
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by Declan on July 30, 2005, at 4:29:23
In reply to Re: Haloperidol (Haldol) » Declan, posted by ed_uk on July 30, 2005, at 4:11:39
Gosh Ed, I didn't know there were 10 and 20 mg tablets of haloperidol. The convenience of once a day doseage, eh? The armamentarium against psychosis. The doses used politically in Russia were not as high as that, at least not some of them.
Declan
Posted by med_empowered on July 30, 2005, at 7:12:46
In reply to Re: Haloperidol (Haldol), posted by Declan on July 30, 2005, at 4:29:23
yeah...i get really upset when i read about the continued use of higher-range doses of haloperidol and other "old-school" neuroleptics. Apparently, one of the big problems with the older neuroleptics--and one reason why the "atypicals" seemed so attractive, especially when they were first introduced--is that doctors (particularly in the UK and the US, it seems) had/have a tendency to be really heavy-handed with them. Thus, it seems that haloperidol given @ 4mgs/ a day *MAX* (most people can take less--I read a study where 2mgs got good results) can give pretty good control of positive symptoms and a bit of help with some negative symptoms. However, as ed_uk pointed out, there was/is a tendency to sometimes RX haldol well into the double-digits...10,15,20mgs...as part of *standard* treatment; I shudder to think what dosages the "treatment resistant" were given. Thus, today, when Thorazine is used you often see RXs for a 300mgs or so for acute mania/acute schizophrenic psychosis...20, 30 years ago, it wasn't entirely uncommon to see 700mgs, sometimes dosages exceeding 1,500mgs RX'd. Also, its kind of scary to realize that for a long time, neuroleptics were "discovered" when the investigational compound showed signs of *neurotoxicity* (especially Parkinson's-like symptoms and reduced motor activity) in animals...the old-school antipsychotics were identified not through a specific effect on psychosis, but through their neurotoxic effects on test animals. Now that's crazy.
Posted by ed_uk on July 30, 2005, at 8:02:12
In reply to Re: Haloperidol (Haldol), posted by Declan on July 30, 2005, at 4:29:23
Hi Declan,
The studies which have compared haloperidol to atypical antipsychotics have used 20mg haloperidol per day. So unsurprisingly the new drugs caused less side effects!!!
>The doses used politically in Russia were not as high as that, at least not some of them.
Up to 200mg per day has been used.
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on July 30, 2005, at 8:09:24
In reply to Re: Haloperidol (Haldol), posted by med_empowered on July 30, 2005, at 7:12:46
Hi Med,
J Psychopharmacol. 2001 Dec;15(4):251-5.
Determining the optimal dose of haloperidol in first-episode psychosis.Oosthuizen P, Emsley RA, Turner J, Keyter N.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa. pieto@samedical.co.za
Uncertainty exists as to the most appropriate dose of haloperidol in first-episode psychosis. This study set out to determine whether ultra-low doses of haloperidol could successfully treat patients with first-episode psychosis. Thirty-five patients with a first episode of psychosis were treated with haloperidol in an open label, fixed protocol over a 12-week period with doses restricted to 1 mg per day for the first 4 weeks. Twenty-nine (83%) remained on haloperidol after 12 weeks at a mean dose of 1.78 mg per day, 16 (55%) had stabilized on 1 mg/day or less. The mean percentage reduction in Positive and Negative Symptom Scale score between baseline and 6 and 12 weeks was 30.3% (SD 20.9%) and 41.4% (SD 16.6%), respectively. There were *no* significant differences in mean extrapyramidal symptom ratings between baseline and 12 weeks. Ultra-low doses of haloperidol are effective and well tolerated in first-episode psychosis. ****Initial doses should be maintained for a sufficient period of time to allow for the medication to take full effect.*****
~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on July 30, 2005, at 12:36:13
In reply to Re: Haloperidol (Haldol), posted by med_empowered on July 30, 2005, at 7:12:46
Hi Med,
>I read a study where 2mgs got good results....
It might have been this, I've posted it a couple of time before.......
Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2004 Jun;7(2):125-31. Epub 2004 Mar 5.
A randomized, controlled comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of low and high doses of haloperidol in the treatment of first-episode psychosis.
Oosthuizen P, Emsley R, Jadri Turner H, Keyter N.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa. pieto@sun.ac.za
While haloperidol is still widely used in the treatment of psychoses, the optimal daily dose remains a topic of controversy, particularly in first-episode psychosis. Previous studies have suggested that doses as low as 2 mg/d may be effective, whereas others have indicated superiority for higher over lower doses. This double-blinded, randomized controlled study compared the efficacy and tolerability of 2 vs. 8 mg/d of haloperidol over 6 wk in 40 subjects with first-episode psychosis. Both treatments were equally effective in reducing the PANSS Total and subscale scores. The low dose of haloperidol was better tolerated, with fewer extrapyramidal side-effects, less frequent use of anticholinergic medication and smaller elevations in prolactin levels. Using a low dose of haloperidol is at least as effective as, and better tolerated than a high dose of haloperidol in the treatment of first-episode psychosis.
.................................................................................................
Since haloperidol is a very potent D2 antagonist, surprisingly low doses can produce a high level of D2 occupancy (as has been demonstrated using positron emmission tomograph). IMHO, the dose should be precisely titrated (generally within the low dose range) to produce the optimal effect.
2mg haloperidol is not, as many would believe, a homeopathic dose. The potency of haloperidol as a D2 antagonist is often underestimated.
'Seven patients with schizophrenia were treated with 2 mg/day of haloperidol for 2 weeks, and D2 receptor occupancy was measured by [11C]raclopride and positron emission tomography. RESULTS: The patients showed high levels of D2 occupancy (53%-74%); five of them showed substantial clinical improvement, and none showed important side effects. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate that low doses of haloperidol induce D2 receptor occupancies that are in the putative therapeutic range.'
This is interesting...........
CNS Drugs. 2001;15(9):671-8.
Choosing the right dose of antipsychotics in schizophrenia: lessons from neuroimaging studies.
Tauscher J, Kapur S.
Schizophrenia-PET Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Jtauscher@camhpet.on.ca
Despite vast clinical experience with antipsychotics, there is no broad consensus on the doses of these substances that should be administered. Currently, most antipsychotics are administered empirically according to clinical dose-finding studies, in which arbitrarily selected doses were tested to find the "most efficient" dose range in a patient population, with no regard for the molecular effects of the tested drug. Brain imaging studies using nuclear medical techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), can now provide a rationale for doses, directly derived from the central effects of the drugs on neurotransmitter receptors measured in vivo. PET results indicate that occupancy of at least 65% of dopamine D(2) receptors is needed for clinical response to antipsychotics, and that occupancy rates exceeding 72 and 78% are associated with a high risk for elevation of prolactin levels and motor adverse effects, respectively. For example, clinical studies with haloperidol do not point to an advantage of dosages exceeding 5 mg/day. The relevance of D(2) receptor occupancy for drug administration is also borne out by studies relating the effects of antipsychotics to their D(2) receptor occupancy in relevant animal models. Taken together, neuroimaging and clinical studies, as well as animal models, provide a rationale for the use of relatively low doses of typical antipsychotics and equivalent doses of novel antipsychotics. The lower risk of adverse effects with appropriate doses of antipsychotics may further enhance compliance and outcome. This seems to be particularly important in individuals experiencing a first episode of schizophrenia, as they appear to be especially responsive to pharmacotherapy and quite sensitive to adverse effects.
An interesting comparison of Zyprexa 7.5mg versus haloperidol 2.5mg. Haloperidol 2.5mg was superior, producing a better 'subjective experience'............
Am J Psychiatry. 2003 Feb;160(2):303-9.
Subjective experience and D2 receptor occupancy in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia treated with low-dose olanzapine or haloperidol: a randomized, double-blind study.de Haan L, van Bruggen M, Lavalaye J, Booij J, Dingemans PM, Linszen D.
Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam Department of Psychiatry, The Netherlands. l.dehaan@amc.uva.nl
OBJECTIVE: The authors tested the hypothesis that a dopamine D(2) receptor occupancy level between 60% and 70% in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia would result in optimal subjective experience. In addition, they sought preliminary evidence on whether subjective experience is better with low-dose olanzapine than with low-dose haloperidol. METHOD: Subjects (N=24) who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of double-blind treatment with either olanzapine, 7.5 mg/day, or haloperidol, 2.5 mg/day. Subjective experience, psychopathology, and extrapyramidal symptoms were assessed at baseline and at endpoint. After 6 weeks, D(2) receptor occupancy was assessed with [(123)I]iodobenzamide single photon emission computed tomography. RESULTS: The two study groups were similar at baseline. After 6 weeks, patients receiving olanzapine had a significantly lower mean dopamine D(2) receptor occupancy (51.0%, range=36%-67%) than those given haloperidol (65.5%, range=45%-75%). Receptor occupancy between 60% and 70% was associated with optimal subjective experience, and subjective experience improved significantly in the haloperidol group. CONCLUSIONS: A level of D(2) receptor occupancy between 60% and 70% is optimal for subjective experience of patients with recent-onset schizophrenia. Substantial interindividual variation in D(2) receptor occupancy was seen at fixed low-dose levels of olanzapine and haloperidol. Olanzapine, 7.5 mg/day, showed no superior subjective response over haloperidol, 2.5 mg/day. Olanzapine may need to be dosed higher than 7.5 mg/day for most patients with recent-onset schizophrenia, and haloperidol needs to be individually titrated in the very low dose range to reach optimal occupancy.
..................................................................................
In the UK, the recommended starting dose of haloperidol for schizophrenia is 3mg-15mg, a few years ago it was 1.5mg to 20mg.
IMHO, 1.5mg seems like a suitable starting dose for the treatment of a patient suffering from their first episode of schizophrenia. 0.5mg three times a day could be prescribed initially.... Once the patient was stabilised, the drug could be given as a single daily dose in the evening.
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on July 30, 2005, at 15:46:28
In reply to Re: Haloperidol (Haldol), posted by Declan on July 30, 2005, at 2:48:07
Hi Declan,
What effect did 1.5mg Serenace produce? 0.5mg twice daily is the recommended dose for severe anxiety. It's hardly a first-line treatment for anxiety though, more of a last resort.
In the UK, the smallest Haldol tablet is 5mg!!!!! Thankfully, Serenace comes in 0.5mg capsules. A generic is also available.
~Ed
Posted by Declan on July 30, 2005, at 16:29:27
In reply to Re: Haloperidol (Haldol) » Declan, posted by ed_uk on July 30, 2005, at 15:46:28
Good morning Ed
1.5mg Serenace made me feel numb and restless. As I recall I was taking it for feelings of dread that may in fact have been exacerbated by my benzo use.
Declan
Posted by ed_uk on July 30, 2005, at 17:02:36
In reply to Re: Haloperidol (Haldol), posted by Declan on July 30, 2005, at 16:29:27
>Good morning Ed
Good evening Declan :-)
>1.5mg Serenace made me feel numb and restless........
Yuck. I'm glad they didn't give you a 20mg tablet....... how awful, I hope they get discontinued soon. I guess they're still useful for clinical trials which show atypical APs are better tolerated than 20mg/day haloperidol. Errr, duh! How about using a sensible dose LOL. It makes the atypicals look great though, which I imagine is why they use 20mg.
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on July 31, 2005, at 14:33:24
In reply to Haloperidol (Haldol), posted by ed_uk on July 29, 2005, at 15:57:15
OK, so we all know that lots of people who've taken typical APs have hated them - especially me and Declan!
I was wondering whether anyone actually liked typical APs????????
I know xbunny likes flupenthixol (Depixol) 6mg for schizophrenia. 6mg flupenthixol is 'equivalent' to about 6mg haloperidol.
Jay likes perphenazine (Trilafon) for agitation. I think he takes 4mg prn. 4mg perphenazine is 'equivalent' to about 1mg haloperidol.
Maxime takes 25mg chlorpromazine prn (Thorazine) for agitation. 25mg chlorpromazine is 'equivalent' to about 0.75mg haloperidol.
River1924 finds trifluoperazine (Stelazine) calming. I think he takes a small dose prn.
CareBear found 0.5-1mg haloperidol (Haldol) to be effective for anxiety.
.........all these doses are relatively low. I will continue to believe that typical APs are considerably more useful at small doses than at mega-doses, except perhaps in a few isolated cases. Even in schizophrenia, small doses can be useful. It is my belief that these potent dopamine antagonists should be carefully titrated within the low-dose range, to achieve the optimum efficacy without producing disturbing side effects. Of course, even low doses of typical APs appear to result in a high incidence of TD when used on a long-term basis. In a world where the atypical APs are hyped, it's still important that the typical APs remain available for the (small?) proportion of patients who find them more effective or more tolerable than the atypicals.
~ed
Posted by ed_uk on July 31, 2005, at 17:22:14
In reply to Re: Haloperidol (Haldol), posted by med_empowered on July 30, 2005, at 7:12:46
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(3):CD001951.
Haloperidol dose for the acute phase of schizophrenia.
Waraich PS, Adams CE, Roque M, Hamill KM, Marti J.
Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 1081 Burrard St., Rm 306, Comox Building, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6Z 1Y6. waraich@interchange.ubc.ca
BACKGROUND: Haloperidol is a benchmark, accessible antipsychotic against which the effects of newer treatments are gauged. OBJECTIVES: The primary goal of this review is to determine the best range of doses for haloperidol for the treatment of people acutely ill with schizophrenia. SEARCH STRATEGY: The reviewers searched Biological Abstracts (1980-1999), CINAHL (1982-1999), The Cochrane Library (1999, Issue 2), The Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Register (December 1999), EMBASE (1980-1999), MEDLINE (1966-1999) and PsycLIT (1887-1999). They also inspected all references of all identified trials and included studies sought as a citation on SCISEARCH database (1980-1999). Authors of identified studies and pharmaceutical companies were also contacted. SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies were selected if they involved people being treated for acute schizophrenia, randomised to two or more dose ranges of non-depot haloperidol, and if they reported clinically meaningful outcomes. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The reviewers independently and blindly inspected citations (10% reliability check), they ordered papers, and reliably re-inspected and quality assessed the full reports. The reviewers, again working independently, also extracted data. For homogeneous dichotomous data the relative risk (RR), 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated on an intention-to-treat basis. Reviewers assumed that people who left the study early or were lost to follow-up had a negative outcome. Weighted mean differences (WMD) were calculated for continuous outcomes that reported intention to treat (ITT), last observation carried forward (LOCF) data. Data was excluded if loss to follow-up was greater than 50%. MAIN RESULTS: Sixteen trials with nineteen different randomised dose comparisons were included. No studies reported data on relapse rates, quality of life and none compared >1.5-3.0 mg/day haloperidol to higher dose ranges. Using low doses (>3-7.5mg/day) did not clearly result in loss of efficacy (no clinically important improvement in global state, versus >7.5-15mg/day n=48, 1 RCT, RR 1.09 CI 0.7 to 1.8; versus >15-35mg/day n=81, 2 RCTs, 0.95 CI 0.8 to 1.2). Doses of haloperidol in the range of >3-7.5 mg/day had a lower rate of development of clinically significant extrapyramidal adverse effects than higher doses (clinically significant extrapyramidal adverse effects, versus >7.5-15mg/day n=64, 2 RCTs, RR 0.12 CI 0.01 to 2.1; versus >15-35mg/day n=144, 3 RCTs RR 0.59 CI 0.5 to 0.8, NNH 3 CI 2 to 6; versus >35mg/day n=86, 2 RCTs, RR 0.70 CI 0.5 to 1.1). All other comparisons between dose ranges did not yield statistically significant differences, but several, particularly with lower dose ranges, were underpowered to detect clinically meaningful differences. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: No results are conclusive and all are based on small, short, studies. It would be understandable, however, if clinicians were cautious in prescribing doses in excess of 7.5 mg/day of haloperidol to a person with uncomplicated acute schizophrenia, and if people with schizophrenia were equally reticent to take greater doses. Further research is needed regarding the efficacy and tolerability of the >1.5-3.0 mg/day dose range.
3mg-7.5mg haloperidol is an effective treatment for schizophrenia. IMHO, further research regarding the efficacy of doses <3mg would be very valuable. Haloperidol is a cheap drug. In many parts of the world, atypicals APs are not readily available.... they're far too expensive.
~Ed
Posted by JACJ on July 31, 2005, at 19:00:06
In reply to Re: Haloperidol (Haldol) dose for schizophrenia, posted by ed_uk on July 31, 2005, at 17:22:14
What is a high incidence for TD when using atypical AP even at low doses? Also, what is considered long term?
Thanks,
JACJ
Posted by ed_uk on August 1, 2005, at 13:43:13
In reply to Re: For Ed, posted by JACJ on July 31, 2005, at 19:00:06
Hi J,
Atypical APs cause TD at a rate of less than 1% per year (of continuous AP treatment) in young adults. TD is *much* more common in the elderly. TD is very rare in patients treated with APs for less than 3 months, 1 month in the elderly.
Am J Psychiatry. 2004 Mar;161(3):414-25.
Lower risk for tardive dyskinesia associated with second-generation antipsychotics: a systematic review of 1-year studies.Correll CU, Leucht S, Kane JM.
Department of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, Schneider Children's Hospital, Glen Oaks, NY 11004, USA. ccorrell@lij.edu
OBJECTIVE: Based on lower rates of acute extrapyramidal side effects associated with second-generation antipsychotics, compared to first-generation antipsychotics, and based on preliminary data, second-generation antipsychotics are expected to cause less tardive dyskinesia than first-generation antipsychotics. This hypothesis was examined in a systematic review of studies involving open or controlled treatment with any second-generation antipsychotic. METHOD: Studies of treatment with second-generation antipsychotics lasting > or =1 year and reporting on new cases of tardive dyskinesia or dyskinesia were systematically reviewed. RESULTS: In 11 studies, 2,769 patients received treatment with risperidone (five studies, N=1,235), olanzapine (two studies, N=610), quetiapine (two studies, N=386), amisulpride (one study, N=331), or ziprasidone (one study, N=207) for a weighted mean and median duration of 263 and 306 days, respectively. Study designs were double blind and randomized (N=3); open-label extensions of double-blind, randomized trials (N=4); and open label (N=4). Of the four trials that had a comparator (all involving adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders), three used haloperidol (N=408) and one used placebo (N=71). Studied populations included children (N=77), adults (N=1,419), adults and elderly persons (N=794), and exclusively patients age 54 years or older (N=479). The weighted mean annual incidence of tardive dyskinesia for second-generation antipsychotics was 0% in the children, 0.8% (range=0.0%-1.5%) in the adults, 6.8% in the mixed adult and elderly population, and 5.3% (range=0.0%-13.4%) in the patients age 54 years and older, compared to 5.4% (range=4.1%-7.4%) in adults treated with haloperidol. CONCLUSIONS: Results from 11 long-term studies support the idea that second-generation antipsychotics have a reduced risk for tardive dyskinesia, compared to first-generation antipsychotics, although the doses of haloperidol used in the comparator studies were relatively high. More carefully designed studies, ideally lasting beyond 1 year and comparing the effects of different second-generation antipsychotics in patients who have never taken first-generation antipsychotics, are needed to estimate the true risk. It would not appear premature for clinicians to consider these findings in making long-term treatment decisions.
~Ed
Posted by JACJ on August 1, 2005, at 14:54:22
In reply to Re: For Ed » JACJ, posted by ed_uk on August 1, 2005, at 13:43:13
Hi Ed,
Thanks for that info. Say you are on 2-3 Atypical's. Would that risk increase to 2-3 percnt a year since you are on more than one? Also, what is the culmulative risk if you were on AP's for 2.5 years?Thanks,
J
Posted by ed_uk on August 1, 2005, at 15:12:19
In reply to Re: For Ed, posted by JACJ on August 1, 2005, at 14:54:22
Hi J,
>Say you are on 2-3 Atypical's. Would that risk increase to 2-3 percnt a year since you are on more than one?
AFAIK, no.
>Also, what is the culmulative risk if you were on AP's for 2.5 years?
I don't know. I'd guess about 2%. TD appears during AP treatment or shortly (eg. 1-2 weeks) after withdrawal. I know you haven't taken an AP for a long time - if you haven't developed TD yet, you'll never develop TD.
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by JACJ on August 1, 2005, at 16:02:51
In reply to Re: For Ed » JACJ, posted by ed_uk on August 1, 2005, at 15:12:19
> Hi J,
>
> >Say you are on 2-3 Atypical's. Would that risk increase to 2-3 percnt a year since you are on more than one?
>
> AFAIK, no.
>
> >Also, what is the culmulative risk if you were on AP's for 2.5 years?
>
> I don't know. I'd guess about 2%. TD appears during AP treatment or shortly (eg. 1-2 weeks) after withdrawal. I know you haven't taken an AP for a long time - if you haven't developed TD yet, you'll never develop TD.
>
> Kind regards
>
> ~EdHi Ed,
What does AFAIK mean? I am going back to school and am studying about neuroleptics. I have a great interest in them as you well know. :) These drugs scare me so much b/c I was given them out of a medical mistake and now am still payingn some price. I am off all drugs for about 16 months and still have w/d effects even though I think the benzo is causing alot of this. Anyways, didn't mean to get off track but now that I am drug free I am afriad to take any drugs thinking it will cause TD or some other movement disorder to show up. What drug(s) should I stay away so that this doesn't happen? i.e. dopamine activating drugs I know some anesthesia meds can cause CNS dispution too. My CNS system is so fragile right now. The reason I am concerned is b/c I am about to give birth and what if I need anesthesia?Since I was on neuroleptics is my brain more fragile if I ever went on AP's again? I guess what I am getting at is this: is my brain suseptible to TD since I was on AP's or has the brain recovered? This isn't just about my casee but I just wanted to know some answers. I am thinking of seeing a neurologist to get some answers. Does the brain grow new cells in replaced to what was damaged? Is my brain chemistry changed? I know these are extremely difficult questions but my mind and body need to get past this and I can't until I know some answewrs.
Thanks,
J
Posted by ed_uk on August 1, 2005, at 16:21:21
In reply to Re: For Ed, posted by JACJ on August 1, 2005, at 16:02:51
Hi,
>What does AFAIK mean?
As far as I know.....
>What drug(s) should I stay away so that this doesn't happen?
If you want to avoid all dopamine antagonist drugs, stay away from metoclopramide (Reglan) and prochlorperazine (Compazine) - two widely used anti-nausea drugs.
>The reason I am concerned is b/c I am about to give birth and what if I need anesthesia?
Dopamine antagonists such as Compazine are widely used to treat/prevent post-op nausea and vomiting. Numerous alternatives are available though, you don't have to take any dopamine antagonists if you don't want to.
>I guess what I am getting at is this: is my brain suseptible to TD since I was on AP's.........
No, I don't believe it is.
>Does the brain grow new cells in replaced to what was damaged?
You don't have TD, I don't think the APs will have damaged any brain cells. Anyway, the brain can grow new cells in a process called neurogenesis.
>Is my brain chemistry changed?
No, I don't think so.
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by JACJ on August 1, 2005, at 17:29:30
In reply to Re: For Ed » JACJ, posted by ed_uk on August 1, 2005, at 16:21:21
Thanks Ed for that info. It isn't that I am worried. I am past that. :) It is just I want to learn as much about these types of drugs as possible. Any good research or websites that I can learn from that are objective? It seems most info about these drugs are extreme.
Hope you are well.
Hugs,
J
Posted by ed_uk on August 2, 2005, at 13:55:09
In reply to Re: For Ed, posted by JACJ on August 1, 2005, at 17:29:30
Hi J,
You can search on pubmed.........
www.pubmed.com
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on August 2, 2005, at 15:42:07
In reply to Haloperidol (Haldol), posted by ed_uk on July 29, 2005, at 15:57:15
Schizophrenia.....
Most trials which have compared atypical APs with haloperidol (the 'gold standard' antipsychotic) have been financed by the manufacturers of the atypical APs and have used very high doses of haloperidol (which are clearly not well tolerated). A new study aims to compare numerous atypical APs with each other and with lower, more appropriate doses of haloperidol.
Schizophr Res. 2005 Jul 28; [Epub ahead of print]The European First Episode Schizophrenia Trial (EUFEST): Rationale and design of the trial.
Fleischhacker WW, Keet IP, Kahn RS; EUFEST Steering Committee.
Department of Biological Psychiatry, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
BACKGROUND: Most studies comparing second generation antipsychotics with classical neuroleptics have been conducted in more or less chronic schizophrenia patients. Such studies were usually conducted in highly selected samples, and were generally designed and financed by the manufacturer of the drug tested. These and other facts have stimulated discussions regarding the effectiveness of the new generation of antipsychotics. AIMS: The aim of the European First Episode Schizophrenia Trial (EUFEST) is to compare treatment with amisulpride (Solian), quetiapine (Seroquel), olanzapine (Zyprexa) and ziprasidone (Geodon) to a low dose of haloperidol (Haldol, Serenace) in an unselected sample of first episode schizophrenia patients with minimal prior exposure to antipsychotics. METHODS: 500 patients between the ages of 18-40 meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or schizophreniform disorder are randomly allocated to one year of treatment with one of the drugs under study. The primary outcome measure is retention in treatment, defined as time to discontinuation of study drug. Loss of retention can be the result of insufficient clinical effect, or lack of tolerability or acceptance. Secondary measures include changes in different dimensions of psychopathology, side effects, compliance, social needs, quality of life, substance abuse and cognitive functions. CONCLUSIONS: At present, more than 400 patients have been recruited and randomized in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, France, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Rumania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland: The study should be finished by the end of 2006 and it is expected that results will yield relevant clinical information with regard to the effectiveness of the second generation antipsychotics. This effort represents the first independently designed trans-European schizophrenia treatment trial.
~Ed
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