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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kaarina on January 25, 2000, at 18:58:32
I'm searching for information on medications used to treat schizophrenia which have the least likely chance of causing tardive dyskinesia. The doctor is wanting to switch my father from Fluxanol ( an injection - Canadian name of drug ) because of severe tardive dyskinesa. The doctor is recommending Zyprexa, but it also list the movement disorders as a side-affect. Also it warns against drinking, he drinks about 12 beer a week ( 3-4 a day at times ), smoking (he smokes about a pack aday of Export - strong cigarette), previous history of heart attack (which he has had) and a drug interaction with Erythrmycin (he's had pneumonia and this is the first antibiotic prescribed). Excuse me for rambling but we're a little concerned.
Posted by Noa on January 25, 2000, at 21:27:12
In reply to Zyprexa, or any alternative med without tardive, posted by Kaarina on January 25, 2000, at 18:58:32
Riseridone?
Posted by Noa on January 25, 2000, at 21:28:01
In reply to Re: Zyprexa, or any alternative med without tardive, posted by Noa on January 25, 2000, at 21:27:12
Oops, I meant...risperidone?
Posted by Cam W. on January 25, 2000, at 23:25:01
In reply to Re: Zyprexa, or any alternative med without tardive, posted by Noa on January 25, 2000, at 21:27:12
> Riseridone?
Kaarina - Hello fellow Canuck. Zyprexa really has little chance of causing T.D., but you are right, the risk is still there, it is just very small. It is the drug of choice as an antipsychotic after someone develops T.D. Actually there has been some research suggesting it MAY help relieve some of the symptoms of T.D. Risperidone, especially in older people, can cause movement disorders (like T.D.) at a much higher rate than Zyprexa. Seroquel is another choice for very low T.D. rates, but I have found it is not that good of an antipsychotic by itself. Another antipsychotic with low T.D. rates is Clozaril, but with your father's lifestyle and Clozaril's toxicity I wouldn't even consider it as an option.
People with your father's lifestyle give me grey hairs in my pharmacy practice, but I do accept that people are allowed to choose how they want to live. You or I can't change that, so we must work within their parameters. As long as the doctor is aware of your father's lifestyle and monitors his Zyprexa use, this drug is a good choice. Good luck and take care. Cam W.
Posted by Kaarina on January 26, 2000, at 23:15:57
In reply to oops, posted by Noa on January 25, 2000, at 21:28:01
Cam thank you for your concern. Noa you were right. I sent a note with him to his dr, and they put him on the risperidone. They also told him to have no more than two beer a day, and he seems to have taken them to heart. (I've "nagged" for years, but I guess he needed to hear it from a professional.)
As for lifestyle, living with chronic schizophrenia really changes ones ability to make positive choices. Compassion and earnest heart-felt support can help.
Thanks for your help, I've written seroquel down as an alternative.
Posted by ChrisK on January 27, 2000, at 6:27:12
In reply to Zyprexa, or any alternative med without tardive, posted by Kaarina on January 25, 2000, at 18:58:32
Hi,
I currently take Zyprexa but was worried about the longterm effects. My pdoc told me that a new med is coming on the market in March called Zeldox. I believe Pfizer makes it. I don't know if it is available in Canada or not. It's supposed to be a replacement for Zyprexa with fewer side effects including the TD problem. He is hopeful that it will be better than Zyprexa. You may want to ask your father's doc about it.
Xhris
Posted by Cam W. on January 27, 2000, at 7:27:31
In reply to Re: Zyprexa, or any alternative med without tardive, posted by ChrisK on January 27, 2000, at 6:27:12
> Hi,
>
> I currently take Zyprexa but was worried about the longterm effects. My pdoc told me that a new med is coming on the market in March called Zeldox. I believe Pfizer makes it. I don't know if it is available in Canada or not. It's supposed to be a replacement for Zyprexa with fewer side effects including the TD problem. He is hopeful that it will be better than Zyprexa. You may want to ask your father's doc about it.
>
> XhrisKaarina & ChrisK - Zeldox (ziprasidone) is only available in Canada under the emergency release program. It would be another good choice and should hit the market here in a year or two. Risperidone is safe and effective at dosages under 6mg/day. Above this level you run a greater risk aquiring movement disorders. Good luck, again - Cam W.
Posted by Deb R on January 27, 2000, at 21:51:55
In reply to Took me 24hrs to figure out how to get back here:>, posted by Kaarina on January 26, 2000, at 23:15:57
Kaarina,
My Mum is also Schizophrenic and I really understand your concens re: medications and side-effects for your Dad. I am from Australia and it would be good to be in touch with people from other countries in similar situations to compare things and also just talk about concerns we have. If you ever want to chat about anything just e-mail me - I'm not a medical expert but I do know what you are experiencing.
Best wishes to you and your Dad.Deb.
This is the end of the thread.
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