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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Happy Girl on November 9, 2007, at 13:45:28
Hi:
My pdoc. rx'ed Perphenazine 8m instead of rx Zyprexa 5 mg. along with Lithium and two of anti-deps. The Zyprexa has been working on me great for the past 5 - 6 years, however, he told me that my 'cholesterol' is a bit high.Is any of you taking this med. Perphenazine?
I would like to know 'pros and cons' by taking Perphenazine?Thanks,
Posted by kaleidoscope on November 9, 2007, at 16:58:15
In reply to Perphenazine instead of rx'ed Zyprexa, posted by Happy Girl on November 9, 2007, at 13:45:28
Hi HG
Perphenazine is a high-potency neuroleptic. It is one of the oldest antipsychotics. It is used on a long term basis to treat schizophrenia and on a short term basis to treat acute mania. Long term use of perphenazine is not generally considered to be appropriate in bipolar disorder - it may worsen or induce depression and cause tardive dyskinesia.
A recent study showed that perphenazine performed equally well to some of the newer antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia. This positive findng cannot be applied to bipolar disorder however.
>My pdoc. rx'ed Perphenazine 8m instead of rx Zyprexa 5 mg. along with Lithium and two of anti-deps. The Zyprexa has been working on me great for the past 5 - 6 years, however, he told me that my 'cholesterol' is a bit high.
I assume you're taking 4 mg twice a day?
Perphenazine can interact with lithium at high doses but low doses are probably OK. Perphenazine may also interact with certain antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac).
Switching from olanzapine (Zyprexa) to perphenazine solely due to high cholesterol seems like a rather unusual choice. Are you sure other factors weren't involved? eg. large weight gain, diabetes etc.
If high cholesterol really is your only problem with Zyprexa and it is working well, I would suggest taking a cholesterol-lowering medication such as Lipitor. I'm sure your doctor could prescribe something.
Regards
Posted by bleauberry on November 9, 2007, at 21:13:22
In reply to Perphenazine instead of rx'ed Zyprexa, posted by Happy Girl on November 9, 2007, at 13:45:28
To have a medication work for you for years, like zyprexa has, is a rare blessing. If I were you, I would not mess with it. Your cholesterol being a bit elevated is a minor risk to your future compared to risks of messing with a med that is working. No contest as I see it. Just opinion, but I think you would be much better off just approaching your diet in a way that targets cholesterol as an issue to control. Do it with strictness and seriousness in what you eat. If after 3 months there is no change, then consider a medication to lower cholesterol. Whatever that medication is, it is a multitude of times better than taking a hardcore antipsychotic that will likely bring you way more problems down the road, at which point you will wish to heck you had just taken control of the cholesterol issue. And if after all your suffering you end up going back to zyprexa, do not be surprised if it feels like a completely different drug than you remember and never works the same or even close. Happens very commonly when people mess with a med that works.
Posted by Phillipa on November 9, 2007, at 21:21:13
In reply to Re: Perphenazine instead of rx'ed Zyprexa, posted by bleauberry on November 9, 2007, at 21:13:22
Also the ratio of HDL's should be high to LDH's should be low is much more important than a cholesterol level. Phillipa
Posted by kaleidoscope on November 10, 2007, at 9:51:15
In reply to Perphenazine instead of rx'ed Zyprexa, posted by Happy Girl on November 9, 2007, at 13:45:28
Hi again
I definitely agree that diet is important. Unfortunately, lipid abnormalities associated with Zyprexa are often so marked than statins (eg. Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor etc) are probably needed in most cases. If you only have mildly elevated cholesterol diet may be sufficient.
Posted by Zyprexa on November 12, 2007, at 13:49:15
In reply to Perphenazine instead of rx'ed Zyprexa, posted by Happy Girl on November 9, 2007, at 13:45:28
If perphenazine does not work, I would go back to zyprexa, and add, metformin and a cholesterol med, and a blood pressure med if you also take a lot of caffine. This is what I do. I can't say for sure, when I was in hospital, I think they gave me perphenazine, and had mucile twitches or some other TD. Who knows, it may work for you. I would start with a small dose first, just to see what it will do.
Posted by tepi on November 14, 2007, at 22:50:38
In reply to Perphenazine instead of rx'ed Zyprexa, posted by Happy Girl on November 9, 2007, at 13:45:28
> Hi:
> My pdoc. rx'ed Perphenazine 8m instead of rx Zyprexa 5 mg. along with Lithium and two of anti-deps. The Zyprexa has been working on me great for the past 5 - 6 years, however, he told me that my 'cholesterol' is a bit high.
>
> Is any of you taking this med. Perphenazine?
> I would like to know 'pros and cons' by taking Perphenazine?
>
> Thanks,
>why perphenazine ? did he explain you the reason why he put you on this one?
I don tlike to hear about old AP´s being precribed , this make feel sick . Although in somecases they work better than the new ones
I took that thing for 1 year at only 2 mg per day
I left if , not gonna left any doctor play with me anymoresorry if I did not help you and I sound bad and angry
Im not feeling weill today
This is the end of the thread.
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