Posted by Cam W. on February 28, 2001, at 9:51:37
In reply to Re: Which is worse: Zyprexa weight gain or Risperdal » Cam W., posted by Lynne on February 28, 2001, at 8:42:57
Lynne - I find that Zyprexa works much better in a vast majority of people with insomnia, ruminations and anxiety. Seroquel monotherapy is not that good. We are finding that it is a great add-on agent to mood stabilizers and antipsychotics, but by itself, it does work all that well. Seroquel does work very well as an add-on to drugs like Haldol or Risperdal, where insomnia and anxiety are still a problem. It also allows you to slightly decrease the dose of these other agents. This is just my opinion, I have no proof of this.
That being said; the above are not indications (FDA-approved uses) for Seroquel, yet. There is not much literature on the subject of Seroquel augmentation, but I am seeing it used more and more by the pdocs. Some cases I have seen dramatic improvement with a couple hundred milligrams of Seroquel added at bedtime (esp. improved sleep patterns and improved mood throughout the day). This is coming from a guy who doesn't like polypharmacy (using a number of drugs in a treatment plan), but sometimes just one drug isn't enough to cover all the symptoms.
As for weight gain, Seroquel causes a smaller amount of weight gain than other atypical antipsychotics, but at higher doses (eg 900mg/day) you do see more weight gain than most of the literature would suggest (my opinion). The improvements seen with Zyprexa far outweigh any concern of weight gain, especially when that weight gain is stopped before it starts through management (food diary, balanced diet AND exercise).
To answer your question more bluntly; I think that Zyprexa is a far superior drug when used alone, to treat the symptoms that you mention. At first the sedation may be excessive, but that will lessen within the first month. Ask your doc about which drug he feels is better; a second opinion is always important.
Hope this helps - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:55031
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010221/msgs/55099.html