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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 26, 2006, at 13:42:37
Hi guys,
Well I came across this little number in the BNF, the kinda book/database thingy doctors use here in the UK (ie which drugs are licensed here) and this was under the section 'other antidepressant drugs' ie ones that don't fit into any particular catergory eg effexor, remeron, etc.
Here's what it says:
'The thioxanthene flupentixol (Fluanxol®) has antidepressant properties, and low doses (1 to 3 mg daily) are given by mouth for this purpose. Flupentixol is also used for the treatment of psychoses'
I've never ever heard of it!! Have you??
I'm just curious.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by yxibow on May 27, 2006, at 1:47:58
In reply to Flupenthixol/Fluanxol® anybody?, posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 26, 2006, at 13:42:37
> Hi guys,
>
> Well I came across this little number in the BNF, the kinda book/database thingy doctors use here in the UK (ie which drugs are licensed here) and this was under the section 'other antidepressant drugs' ie ones that don't fit into any particular catergory eg effexor, remeron, etc.
>
> Here's what it says:
>
> 'The thioxanthene flupentixol (Fluanxol®) has antidepressant properties, and low doses (1 to 3 mg daily) are given by mouth for this purpose. Flupentixol is also used for the treatment of psychoses'
>
> I've never ever heard of it!! Have you??
>
> I'm just curious.
>
> Kind regards
>
> Meri
Flupentixol is a very strong neuroleptic (anti-psychotic), stronger than haloperidol in terms of D2 binding. It however binds, at least according to one study, stronger to 5HT, like an atypical, than haloperidol.
Posted by xbunny on May 27, 2006, at 19:40:39
In reply to Flupenthixol/Fluanxol® anybody?, posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 26, 2006, at 13:42:37
> 'The thioxanthene flupentixol (Fluanxol®) has antidepressant properties, and low doses (1 to 3 mg daily) are given by mouth for this purpose. Flupentixol is also used for the treatment of psychoses'
I used to take it and have taken doses between 3mg and 12mg. At all the doses I have taken I find it quite an effective antidepressant and at higher doses an effective antipsychotic too. I dont take it anymore but if I was having a bad day and needed a pick me up or if my depression or psychosis returns it will be the first thing I reach for. For me its quite an activating drug and it can feel like a weird stimulant, gives me more energy and concentration, boosts my mood but doesnt make my mind race. I dont find it interferes with my sleep either but the literature says this can happen. I think flupenthixol is a really overlooked drug, I get the feeling that on mainland Europe and Sweden its more popular as antidepresant but in the UK its really only used for depot antipsychotic injections, my new psychiatrist was quite surprised that I took flupenthixol tablets. Generally the pharmacies dont carry them and will have to order them in for your prescription. Flupenthixol isnt the only antipsychotic with antidepressant actions, many of the atypicals boost mood, as do the phenothiazines and probably many of the others. Flupenthixol is special because unlike many antipsychotics its stimulating and you only need a low dose for an antidepressant effect. Like all antipsychotics flupenthixol carries the risk of extrapyramidal side effects, akathisia and the like and being a high potency antipsychotic and stimulating its generally worse for these than other drugs. One other good thing about flupenthixol as an antidepressant is that if it is going to work for you it generally does very quickly within days if not hours so trialling it is pretty straight forward.
Bunny
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 28, 2006, at 9:20:32
In reply to Re: Flupenthixol/Fluanxol® anybody?, posted by xbunny on May 27, 2006, at 19:40:39
Thanks!!
That was pretty informative.
Yeah I wonder why docs here are so uninformed about meds. And even then, they just go down the straight and narrow prescribing patterns.
Oh well.
Are you doing okay??
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by ed_uk on May 28, 2006, at 11:20:25
In reply to Re: Flupenthixol/Fluanxol® anybody?, posted by xbunny on May 27, 2006, at 19:40:39
Hi Buns
Good to hear from you. How are you doing without flupenthixol? You sound good.
>my new psychiatrist was quite surprised that I took flupenthixol tablets
A few people take the 0.5mg and 1mg tabs where I live. I think they've been taking them since before the SSRIs were introduced.
Regards
Ed
Posted by xbunny on May 28, 2006, at 12:37:17
In reply to Re: Flupenthixol/Fluanxol® anybody? » xbunny, posted by ed_uk on May 28, 2006, at 11:20:25
> Hi Buns
hiya ed!
>
> Good to hear from you. How are you doing without flupenthixol? You sound good.I am good, I hope you are well too. I hadnt exactly intended to stop flupenthixol I ran out and forget to renew the prescription, didnt feel any worse so didnt bother. I have stopped mirtazapine too, so the only med I take is 20mg pericyazine at night. The only downside I have experienced is that when I get anxious now I get a lot more anxious however I am taking valium now and again for when it gets bothersome and it seems to be working very well, much better than it did before when I was on all those drugs. The upside is vast, its brilliant not to feel tired and hungry all the time and my concentration and self motivation is well up. Im cutting through work and personal projects like a hot knife though butter :-)
>
> >my new psychiatrist was quite surprised that I took flupenthixol tablets
>
> A few people take the 0.5mg and 1mg tabs where I live. I think they've been taking them since before the SSRIs were introduced.well if it aint broke dont fix it!
Best regards, Bunny
Posted by ed_uk on May 28, 2006, at 13:14:02
In reply to Re: Flupenthixol/Fluanxol® anybody?, posted by xbunny on May 28, 2006, at 12:37:17
Hi Buns
>I am good, I hope you are well too.
:)
I've been ill with a virus but I'm ok now :)
>didnt feel any worse so didnt bother
That's cool :)
I think it would be good to have some Depixol at home just in case you start to get paranoid or anything and need to restart it. I'm sure your wife will tell you if anything strange starts to happen!!! :S
>I have stopped mirtazapine
Goodbye weight gain :)
>I am taking valium now and again for when it gets bothersome and it seems to be working very well
What dose do you find effective? Just curious.
>Im cutting through work and personal projects like a hot knife though butter :-)
Excellent! I wish I was LOL!
>well if it aint broke dont fix it!
I agree. We keep the 0.5mg and 1mg Fluanxol tabs at the pharmacy because quite a few people still take them. Some people take them 'when required' rather that taking them every day. The most common dose seems to be 0.5mg twice a day or 1mg in the morning. We don't have anyone on Depixol 3mg tabs though. GPs don't seem to prescribe Depixol around here.
Are you going to keep taking the Neulactil Buns? Please be careful if you decide to stop it. Coming off APs completely can be difficult.
Best regards
Ed
Posted by xbunny on May 28, 2006, at 19:12:01
In reply to Fluanxol and Depixol » xbunny, posted by ed_uk on May 28, 2006, at 13:14:02
Hiya Ed,
> >I am taking valium now and again for when it gets bothersome and it seems to be working very well
>
> What dose do you find effective? Just curious.10mg, 5mg is enough to calm me down, but 10 actually gets rid of the anxiety.
> Are you going to keep taking the Neulactil Buns? Please be careful if you decide to stop it. Coming off APs completely can be difficult.
There have been occasions where I have forgetten to take it when I goto bed and the result is that I havent been able to sleep and my mind races and is uh weird the next day, so yes I probably will continue taking it, though its interesting to wonder whether these would just be temporary effects. When I stopped mirtazapine I got itching, increased anxiety, unstable mood, sleeplessness and virtually no appetite but everything resolved eventually.
Buns
Posted by Tom Twilight on May 31, 2006, at 5:36:06
In reply to Re: Flupenthixol/Fluanxol® anybody?, posted by xbunny on May 28, 2006, at 12:37:17
I always thought Flupenthixol was a "bad" drug
that could cause Dyskensia.Of course this was because thats what I'd been told!
Its really interesting to here another opinion
Also good to here from Xbunny
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