Posted by Chloe on October 21, 2001, at 20:56:06
In reply to Re: HELP!! zyprexa VS clozaril-side effects, which ??, posted by Karen Curtis on October 21, 2001, at 11:11:48
Karen,
I am sorry you are having so much trouble regulating your son's meds. I am NOT qualified to really help you in any way, except that I was put on Clozaril in my early twenties. It is a wonderful drug and was extremely effective for my dissociating. And I know that it has transformed many severe schizophenics lives. I know this because I had to go to the "Clozaril Clinic" once a week for blood work to make sure my white blood count did not fall below 1000, know as agranulocytosis. It was amazing to me to see a floridly psychotic person begin Clozaril, and two weeks later come to the clinic, "normal" and looking for employment!Anyway, though Clozaril works so well, it does have it's drawbacks. One is the weekly lab work and the other is almost guarenteed weight gain. I quickly gained about 15 pounds in 6 weeks(But I didn't care or notice, because I felt so much better!). And from what I have read, it is not as easily controlled through diet, like it can be with Zyprexa (if you literally starve yourself until the cravings wane after 9 months or so!)
An up side, is the risk for eps and td are quite low on clozaril.
But, unfortunately for me, my blood count did drop after six weeks, and I had to abruptly stop Clozaril. This was very difficult, because the med was really working...The weight abuptly fell away as well.So, I said all that to say, both meds have there pros and cons. Having taking both, though I am not schizophrenic, I would say by far, Clozaril is more effective and causes less TD. Zyprexa is the safer of the two in that it does not potentially suppress WBC's and require stringent blood monitoring. Both can cause substantial weight gain.
Not to complicate things more, but if weight gain is really an issue, what about adding a bit of Topamax for appetite suppression? My pdoc thinks Topamax is great for Depakote (though fortunately not an issue for you) or antipsychotic induced weight gain.
I hope this ramble is some what helpful. I just thought I would share my experience on both of these meds.
Best of luck finding the most effective combo for your son.
Chloe
poster:Chloe
thread:81793
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011015/msgs/81930.html