Posted by Cam W. on May 27, 2001, at 22:23:09
In reply to Re: Navane -Willow, posted by Thrud on May 27, 2001, at 4:17:24
Thrud - I have no clinical experience with Navane™ (thiothixene). I believe that it is a high potency neuroleptic, along the lines of Haldol. I think I remember that it is not commonly used because of it's propensity to cause tardive dyskinesia, especially in elderly women. I am not totally sure of this, as I have no books here to look up the info.
All of the atypical antipsychotics are effective in paranoid schizophrenia, the best being (of course) Clozaril™ (clozapine), but it has the most side effects, too. That said, I have also seen Clozaril stop a very severe case of TD, but it took almost a year to do this.
Another option would be Zyprexa™ (olanzapine), except it's antimuscarinic effects may affect her ability to walk. OTOH Zyprexa has been recently reported to treat TD, although I doubt it will prove as effective as Clozaril. Both Clozaril and Zyprexa can cause excessive weight gain and can cause a person to become a Type II diabetic.
Risperdal™ (risperidone) has less propensity for causing weight gain or diabetes, but doses above 6mg/day can aggrevate TD. Also, in certain people, it can increase prolactin levels, but the long-term clinical significance of this is still being debated.
Maybe you could ask your mom's doc why they haven't tried an atypical, yet. There could be a logical reason. Navane is not a first line drug, so the doc must have a reason for using it.
All of the atypicals seem to have some mood stabilizing activity and they do work as adjuncts for people who have partially responded to antidepressants. Your mom, if clinically depressed, should probably be taking an antidepressant, as well.
Sorry that I cannot comment more, but there has to be reasons why your mom is being treated with this regimen. I would not be able to tell without seeing her file.
An apologetic - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:64287
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010522/msgs/64461.html