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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sigolene on November 11, 2005, at 14:56:45
I would like to know if it's possible, and logical, to take ritalin together with zyprexa ?
Or does the ritalin counteract the effect of zyprexa ?
Posted by linkadge on November 11, 2005, at 17:38:44
In reply to zyprexa ritalin, posted by sigolene on November 11, 2005, at 14:56:45
Some of the effects may be cancelled out. There are some arguments for the combination. Propontents say that the antipsyhotic will negate some of the negative effects of a stimulant, ie social withdraw, anxiety, possable psychosis.
If you ask me, the idea is not a good one.
Goodness knows what you are actually doing to your dopaminergic system.
Are you taking one of the two at the moment ?
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on November 11, 2005, at 19:52:01
In reply to Re: zyprexa ritalin, posted by linkadge on November 11, 2005, at 17:38:44
With my limited knowledge it sounds counterproductive to me too. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by sigolene on November 12, 2005, at 1:35:52
In reply to Re: zyprexa ritalin, posted by linkadge on November 11, 2005, at 17:38:44
Yes I'm taking these two meds now, but I'm afraid of doing something wrong, even if this combination seems to work.
Posted by blueberry on November 12, 2005, at 11:44:28
In reply to zyprexa ritalin, posted by sigolene on November 11, 2005, at 14:56:45
Actually, I kind of like the idea of combining these two meds. The zyprexa will help mellow out some of the undesirable effects of the ritalin. The ritalin will help provide some anti-apathy and some pro-energy. But I do not believe they will totally cancel each other out. Zyprexa, even though it blocks SOME dopamine receptors, increases dopamine levels in certain parts of the brain involved with mood, and ritalin is helping to do that as well.
I think fine tuning the dosages could be the trick to making it work just right. You can balance one or the other up or down a bit to get just the right balance for you.
Posted by linkadge on November 13, 2005, at 9:19:02
In reply to Re: zyprexa ritalin, posted by blueberry on November 12, 2005, at 11:44:28
I would take as low a dose of the AP as possable.
It just seems to me that this could totally mess with your dopamine pathways. Some receptors are not going to get much dopamine, and others will be loaded with dopamine. The long term effects could be very unpredictable.
I just don't think we have enough data to support the safety of the combination.
If the combination is essential, I would keep the AP dose as low as possable.
Linkadge
Posted by med_empowered on November 13, 2005, at 15:15:11
In reply to Re: zyprexa ritalin, posted by linkadge on November 13, 2005, at 9:19:02
I used to take Abilify plus Ritalin, then Abilify plus Adderall..my advice: unless you have schizophrenia, pick 1--an AP or a stimulant. I think APs are inappropriate unless there is pronounced psychosis, so I'd recommend the stimulant...if necessary, you can add a benzo or propranolol to help with any jitters. Ritalin+Antipsychotic combos actually used to be kind of common--when Thorazine first hit the market, docs didn't really know how it worked; it seemed to basically be a super-tranquilizer with minimal drowsiness. So, it was kind of common to use Thorazine "off-label" (anxiety, agitation, etc.) and then prescribe stimulants such as Ritalin to help counter excessive sedation. In addition, people with forms of schizophrenia with heavy negative symptoms are sometimes given stimulants--in the past, low-dose ritalin, these days Provigil--to help perk them up a little. The problem, of course, is that you run the risk of inducing/worsening psychosis, so its a tricky combo.
Anyway, point is: a stimulant+AP combo strikes me as risky, without offering any real, major benefits. I'd recommend just trying the stimulant, and adding on less hardcore medications (ex: benzos, buspar) to deal with any sort of anxiety or whatever that may develop from the use of stimulants. Good luck!
Posted by B2chica on November 14, 2005, at 9:42:41
In reply to I wouldn't do it, posted by med_empowered on November 13, 2005, at 15:15:11
among others i take ritalinLA 20 in the mornings and zyprexa 10mg at night???
i also take, wellbutrin, zoloft, xanax and ambienPRN.is this mix ok? what should i be worried about. it seems to be helping but i actually think i need to up the ritalin...my concentration is getting more difficult to keep lately.
b2c.
This is the end of the thread.
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