Posted by med_empowered on June 17, 2006, at 22:27:07
In reply to Re: Geodon instead of Klonopin? » waterfall, posted by Phillipa on June 17, 2006, at 21:20:42
Geodon is a newer, "atypical" antipsychotic, which means it has fewer side effects than older drugs, like Thorazine or Haldol. However...Geodon has the old side effects (EPS, tardive dyskinesia), just less often, may carry some of its own risks (cardiovascular problems, for instance).
Traditionally, bipolar treatment is centered on the mood-stabilizer(s), whether those meds are lithium, anti-convulsants, or a combination. Antipsychotics like Geodon (and older drugs, like Haldol or Trilafon) were used, but they were usually used briefly and then withdrawn ASAP. Benzos, like Klonopin (and other sedatives as well) also have long been used in bipolar. Ideally, these meds are withdrawn, but for some people the benefits outweight any possible risks, so they are maintained either indefinitely or for an extended period of time.
Antipsychotics **can** be used to treat anxiety. They can also **cause** or worsen anxiety and/or trigger akathisia and other forms of agitation. So...its a mixed bag. Plus, even the new drugs have a risk of tardive dyskinesia and neuroleptic malignancy syndrome.
Personally...I'd go for a short-term benzo over an antipsychotic, especially in bipolar disorder. If Klonopin is problematic, you could try something else (Ativan is commonly used, and Valium is still immensely helpful to some people) in the benzo family. You could also try BuSpar or Atarax (hydroxyzine), or even something "novel" like Lyrica.
Good luck!
poster:med_empowered
thread:658126
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060617/msgs/658173.html