![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lamdage22 on November 24, 2015, at 11:06:51
Is Methylfolate in any way contraindicated for Schizophrenia?
Posted by Tomatheus on November 24, 2015, at 11:54:56
In reply to Methylfolate and negative Schizophrenia symptoms, posted by Lamdage22 on November 24, 2015, at 11:06:51
Lamdage,
I found one study where participants with either major depressive disorder or schizophrenia were administered 15 mg/day of methylfolate along with their medications over a six-month period. The study's abstract (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1974941) doesn't mention how well methylfolate was tolerated, but the methylfolate was reported to have significantly improved clinical and social recovery in the participants with depression, as well as the participants with schizophrenia.
I think it's possible that l-methylfolate could conceivably worsen symptoms in a subset of patients with psychotic disorders. I took l-methylfolate years ago and didn't notice any problems with 800 mcg, but I recall noticing a slight worsening of one of my symptoms when I tried taking 2.4 mg. So, I don't know. I'd say that a worsening of symptoms is always something that could happen when trying a substance that you haven't tried before, but I don't think that the likelihood of that happening with methylfolate is very high, especially given the large doses of antipsychotics that you're taking and the fact that methylfolate only seemed to produce improvements in patients with schizophrenia in the study that I referred to above. I know that in my case, when I start taking a new supplement, I tend to use low doses at first and then increase the dose later on, depending on how well I tolerate the lower doses. That approach might be worth considering.
Well, I wish you luck finding the best treatment for you.
Tomatheus
Posted by Christ_empowered on November 24, 2015, at 13:01:44
In reply to Re: Methylfolate and negative Schizophrenia symptoms, posted by Tomatheus on November 24, 2015, at 11:54:56
I would think it could only help...from what I've read, it seems fairly innocuous. I would say that you might want to consider taking a b-100 once or 2x daily if you opt for Deplin...the Orthomolecular people say that its best to high dose all the B vitamins (within reason), rather than just artificially boost one or two.
For instance...I now take 6 grams/day niacinamide (time release form, 2 daily doses). That's a ton of niacinamide...higher end for most Orthomolecular protocols. Anyway, I went from taking 1 B-100 2x daily to doubling that, 2 B-100 capsules 2x daily, for a total of 4 b-100 capsules. I feel...better. Calmer, more alert, less sedated.
Also...b6 was studied in Orthomolecular psychiatry w/ some good effects. In the 60s-early 80s, there was an observational study of patients on antipsychotics. Shrinks gave the patients a vitamin blend and then observed for TD (this was right before TD lawsuits became a huge issue for shrinks). Anyway, the combo of high dose B3 (3,000 mgs niacinamide), high dose b6 (400mgs), vitamin E (800 IU) and vitamin C (3 grams) reduced the TD risk considerably, even in patients taking more than 1 AP (this was before the atypicals) and/or high doses.
B6 has also been studied in treating acute neuroleptic induced akathisia and in treatment of existing TD.
And...I'm done.
Posted by herpills on November 25, 2015, at 15:23:47
In reply to Methylfolate and negative Schizophrenia symptoms, posted by Lamdage22 on November 24, 2015, at 11:06:51
> Is Methylfolate in any way contraindicated for Schizophrenia?
>
>I don't think so, it actually has the potential to help schizophrenia symptoms as well as depression.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Alternative | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.