Posted by kaleidoscope on November 9, 2007, at 16:58:15
In reply to Perphenazine instead of rx'ed Zyprexa, posted by Happy Girl on November 9, 2007, at 13:45:28
Hi HG
Perphenazine is a high-potency neuroleptic. It is one of the oldest antipsychotics. It is used on a long term basis to treat schizophrenia and on a short term basis to treat acute mania. Long term use of perphenazine is not generally considered to be appropriate in bipolar disorder - it may worsen or induce depression and cause tardive dyskinesia.
A recent study showed that perphenazine performed equally well to some of the newer antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia. This positive findng cannot be applied to bipolar disorder however.
>My pdoc. rx'ed Perphenazine 8m instead of rx Zyprexa 5 mg. along with Lithium and two of anti-deps. The Zyprexa has been working on me great for the past 5 - 6 years, however, he told me that my 'cholesterol' is a bit high.
I assume you're taking 4 mg twice a day?
Perphenazine can interact with lithium at high doses but low doses are probably OK. Perphenazine may also interact with certain antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac).
Switching from olanzapine (Zyprexa) to perphenazine solely due to high cholesterol seems like a rather unusual choice. Are you sure other factors weren't involved? eg. large weight gain, diabetes etc.
If high cholesterol really is your only problem with Zyprexa and it is working well, I would suggest taking a cholesterol-lowering medication such as Lipitor. I'm sure your doctor could prescribe something.
Regards
poster:kaleidoscope
thread:794131
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071104/msgs/794145.html