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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Karen Curtis on October 23, 2001, at 8:12:13
Hi- I have posted on this board recently concerning clozaril and zyprexa. My son is taking geodon 160 mg, the max recommended dose. I am not sure if it is helping with his paranoia, and it may be too activationg- not sure yet. Anyways, our pdoc (he is terrific) mentioned clozaril. I don't want to put my son on this drug, Evan drools on the geodon! The pdoc did not mention zyprexa because my son has been on it- well, he was on it a few years ago, when highly manic, and all he took was 5mg for three weeks- ( the pdoc has not been reminded of this, but I will remind him). It did not do anything because Evan was so manic and it was such a low dose! Should we try zyprexa again?? Is zyprexa closely related to clozaril?? Thanks so much for replies!! Karen Curtis
Posted by Cam W. on October 23, 2001, at 8:35:44
In reply to ZYPREXA/CLOZARIL decision- Cam, can you help? , posted by Karen Curtis on October 23, 2001, at 8:12:13
Karen - I want to start out by saying that I haven't been involved in the treatment of too many children. I did attend a presentation by Dr.Sarah Matthews, one of the best child psychiatrists in our area, though.
This is a discussion that you should be having with your doc. The Zyprexa™ (olanzapine) may be worth a try again, but perhaps your doc saw that it wasn't touching some of the core symptoms. This may be why he wants to try Clozaril™ (clozapine).
Zyprexa and Clozaril are related, but more like second cousins, than siblings. Both block muscarinic receptors, which causes the drowsiness, some of the weight gain, and probably the drooling seen with Clozaril.
Clozaril, by far, is the best, most potent, and most effective antipsychotic (or better called, a neuroleptic) we have. It is the gold standard in treatment. If it weren't for the nasty blood side effects (agranulocytosis - which isn't really that common) it would be used almost exclusively in any remotely treatment-resistant case.
The side effects (weight gain, drooling, drowsiness) are a very small price to pay for the extent of it's effectiveness. I am speaking from the point of view of treating adults, but Dr.Matthews does seem to echo the sentiments for children.
I really hope this is of some help. It is really no more than other posters (Chloe, I believe) have already told you. - Cam
Posted by Karen Curtis on October 23, 2001, at 9:21:30
In reply to Re: ZYPREXA/CLOZARIL decision- Cam, can you help? » Karen Curtis, posted by Cam W. on October 23, 2001, at 8:35:44
> Karen - I want to start out by saying that I haven't been involved in the treatment of too many children. I did attend a presentation by Dr.Sarah Matthews, one of the best child psychiatrists in our area, though.
>
> This is a discussion that you should be having with your doc. The Zyprexa™ (olanzapine) may be worth a try again, but perhaps your doc saw that it wasn't touching some of the core symptoms. This may be why he wants to try Clozaril™ (clozapine).
>
> Zyprexa and Clozaril are related, but more like second cousins, than siblings. Both block muscarinic receptors, which causes the drowsiness, some of the weight gain, and probably the drooling seen with Clozaril.
>
> Clozaril, by far, is the best, most potent, and most effective antipsychotic (or better called, a neuroleptic) we have. It is the gold standard in treatment. If it weren't for the nasty blood side effects (agranulocytosis - which isn't really that common) it would be used almost exclusively in any remotely treatment-resistant case.
>
> The side effects (weight gain, drooling, drowsiness) are a very small price to pay for the extent of it's effectiveness. I am speaking from the point of view of treating adults, but Dr.Matthews does seem to echo the sentiments for children.
>
> I really hope this is of some help. It is really no more than other posters (Chloe, I believe) have already told you. - CamThankyou Cam, I really do appreciate it. I WILL ofcourse talk to our pdoc, whom we greatly respect. I will let this board know of our decision, as it is a big one, I think. :) Karen Curtis
This is the end of the thread.
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