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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bipolarspectrum on January 7, 2004, at 11:25:11
Hi,
I'm currently on Zyprexa (5mg) + Prozac (5mg) for major depressive disorder with a hint of bipolar (anti-depressant associated mania). I'm experiencing strong sedation and mental 'clouding' from the zyprexa and I was wondering whether anyone had less sedation and clouding from Abilify or Geodon??
Thanx
Posted by scott-d-o on January 7, 2004, at 22:50:04
In reply to Zyprexa versus Geodon/Abilify for SEDATION, posted by bipolarspectrum on January 7, 2004, at 11:25:11
> Hi,
> I'm currently on Zyprexa (5mg) + Prozac (5mg) for major depressive disorder with a hint of bipolar (anti-depressant associated mania). I'm experiencing strong sedation and mental 'clouding' from the zyprexa and I was wondering whether anyone had less sedation and clouding from Abilify or Geodon??
> ThanxGeodon at it's lowest available dosage (20mg) caused me to feel completely spaced out. My pdoc told me Abilify is even worse for sedation, so I didn't even attempt to go there. I only took Geodon for one day so perhaps these effects subside after continued use, however, I just couldn't afford to give it a fair trial due to work/college. Haven't tried Zyprexa so I can't provide any comparative data. The only other antipsychotic I have tried is sulpiride which caused no mental problems for me at dosages up to 150mg/day.
This makes me think this effect is mainly a result of antagonism at 5-HT receptors (specifically, the 5-HT2a receptor), since sulpiride and amisulpride act exclusively at DA receptors. Unfortunetly, it's not available in the USA.
Hope this helps,
scott
Posted by bipolarspectrum on January 7, 2004, at 22:57:42
In reply to Re: Zyprexa versus Geodon/Abilify for SEDATION, posted by scott-d-o on January 7, 2004, at 22:50:04
THanx Scott,
Unfortunately I live in Canada, where I believe sulpride and amisulpride aren't available...
Posted by scott-d-o on January 7, 2004, at 23:22:35
In reply to Re: Zyprexa versus Geodon/Abilify for SEDATION, posted by bipolarspectrum on January 7, 2004, at 22:57:42
> THanx Scott,
> Unfortunately I live in Canada, where I believe sulpride and amisulpride aren't available...
>If you can have your pdoc write a prescription for the med then it can be obtained through the mail from the Italian pharmacy "Farmacia Cerati" or there are many other European pharmacies that will probably ship to Canada. You just fax them the prescription. Of course, you will most likely have to pay for the medication, however amisulpride/sulpride are cheap since they are off patent.
Posted by Sebastian on January 8, 2004, at 20:54:36
In reply to Zyprexa versus Geodon/Abilify for SEDATION, posted by bipolarspectrum on January 7, 2004, at 11:25:11
Try Abilify. You won't sleep at all! No sedation!
A mix is more likely to work.
Posted by girl1969 on January 8, 2004, at 23:37:59
In reply to Zyprexa versus Geodon/Abilify for SEDATION, posted by bipolarspectrum on January 7, 2004, at 11:25:11
I took zyprexa for approximately 2 years and the sedation was terrible at first, but wore off with time. I understand if you can't afford to feel so doped up with other things going on in your life - I happened to be on a leave of absence from work and the sedation was welcomed.
I recently tried abilify with little or no sedation. Unfortunately, it did not help curb my ruminations or anxiety.
I have been on Geodon for the past 3 weeks. The sedation was heavy, but not as bad as Zyprexa. It seems to be lifting now.
Best of luck in finding the AP that is right for you...
Girl
Posted by bipolarspectrum on January 9, 2004, at 21:05:08
In reply to Re: Zyprexa versus Geodon/Abilify for SEDATION, posted by girl1969 on January 8, 2004, at 23:37:59
Hello,
Thanx sebastien and girl for your opinions... I decided to go with geodon, if it doesn't work, i'll make the switch to abilify... one last question if you dont mind, will abilify or geodon make me stupid?? Im a university student and i cant afford cognitive problems...
thanx
Posted by Karen_kay on January 9, 2004, at 22:03:20
In reply to Re: Zyprexa versus Geodon/Abilify for SEDATION, posted by bipolarspectrum on January 9, 2004, at 21:05:08
I too am a student and I took both Geodon and Abilify. I did not experience cognitive side effects from either Geodon or Abilify!
Good luck in your classes! Mine start Monday and I can't wait to get back in the swing of things. This sitting around the house is for the birds! Also, I didn't experience any type of side effects at all from Geodon except akathesia, which is a risk with most atypical antipsychotics. But, other than that, I didn't experience any type of side effects! (I didn't say that to worry you. Please don't worry about it, ok. You run that risk with any newer antipsychotic and if you do develope it, once you discontinue the medication, it goes away immediately!) That's why I switched to Abilify and again, I didn't have nay side effects from that either. But, I am very medication tolerant and typically don't have many side effects.
Good luck in your classes!
Posted by SLS on January 10, 2004, at 8:53:30
In reply to Re: Zyprexa versus Geodon/Abilify for SEDATION, posted by bipolarspectrum on January 9, 2004, at 21:05:08
> Hello,
> Thanx sebastien and girl for your opinions... I decided to go with geodon, if it doesn't work, i'll make the switch to abilify... one last question if you dont mind, will abilify or geodon make me stupid?? Im a university student and i cant afford cognitive problems...
> thanxI felt whacked-out on Geodon at dosages above 40mg. I felt nothing like that on Abilify up to dosages of 20mg. I was taking Lamictal 300mg and imipramine 300mg at the time.
Good luck with Geodon. I haven't really seen too many people complain about it.
- Scott
Posted by girl1969 on January 10, 2004, at 11:52:20
In reply to Re: Zyprexa versus Geodon/Abilify for SEDATION, posted by bipolarspectrum on January 9, 2004, at 21:05:08
The only thing I have noticed on the Geodon is that I have some trouble typing and spelling. I am a writer, so I have to really be careful about these things. Other than that, I haven't noticed any cognitive problems.
I think the Geodon has finally reached a therapeutic level for me and I feel as good and as clear-headed as I did on Zyprexa.
Best of luck to you on Geodon. It's good that you always have the option of Abilify.
girl
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