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Suggest Medicines For Paranoid Schizophrenia Which Has Less Side Effects
Question: I am currently on 10 mg of Zyprexa for the treatment of paranoid schizophrenia. I would like to change to a drug that doesn't have diabetes especially or any other serious illness preferably as a side effect. I would also like a drug that wouldn't interfere with my sleep. Can you recommend a drug for me as an alternative to Zyprexa for the reason I have stated.
If there is more than one drug that you could recommend that would be helpful as I could then choose the most suitable drug for me.
If there is more than one drug that you could recommend that would be helpful as I could then choose the most suitable drug for me.
Brief Answer:
Abilify is the best option in this regard
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
I agree to your statement that Zyprexa is sedative and associated with metabolic side effects such as diabetes and obesity.
In such a situation Abilify has shown the best evidence. It is weight neutral and do not derange your metabolic parameters including blood sugar, lipid profile and blood pressure. Along with this abilify is activating drug and do not cause any sedation in majority of individuals. Considering all these facts it can be considered possible alternative of Zyprexa in treatment of paraniod schizophrenia.
Unfortunately other than Abilify all newer generation antipsychotics are associated with metabolic side effects but fortunately less common in compare to Zyprexa. In fact Risperdal which is not close to abilify but associated with very less metabolic side effects in compare to Zyprexa and can be considered as a potential alternative i case abilify do not yield required results.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards
Dr Ashok Kumar
Abilify is the best option in this regard
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
I agree to your statement that Zyprexa is sedative and associated with metabolic side effects such as diabetes and obesity.
In such a situation Abilify has shown the best evidence. It is weight neutral and do not derange your metabolic parameters including blood sugar, lipid profile and blood pressure. Along with this abilify is activating drug and do not cause any sedation in majority of individuals. Considering all these facts it can be considered possible alternative of Zyprexa in treatment of paraniod schizophrenia.
Unfortunately other than Abilify all newer generation antipsychotics are associated with metabolic side effects but fortunately less common in compare to Zyprexa. In fact Risperdal which is not close to abilify but associated with very less metabolic side effects in compare to Zyprexa and can be considered as a potential alternative i case abilify do not yield required results.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards
Dr Ashok Kumar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX
It is stated on the leaflet for Abilify that diabetes is reported as a side effect of Abilify where the frequency of it is not known to occur. For Zyprexa, diabetes is stated as an uncommon side effect which may affect up to 1 in 100 people. With Zyprexa it is also stated that a common side effect of it affecting up to 1 in 10 people is an increase in the levels of sugar in the blood and urine. I looked up risperdal on the internet and it stated that risperdal may infrequently make your blood sugar level rise which can cause or worsen diabetes. For these reasons are you stating that diabetes is less likely to occur in patients who take Abilify and Risperdal even though it can occur in those patients and are you stating that diabetes is more likely to occur in patients who take Zyprexa because a common side effect of Zyprexa affecting up to 1 in 10 people is an increase of the levels of sugar in the blood and urine. Also trouble sleeping is listed as a common side effect of Abilify affecting up to 1 in 10 people. Sleepiness is also stated as a common side effect of Abilify affecting up to 1 in 10 people. I was looking for a drug that wouldn't interfere with my sleep and that wouldn't have diabetes or any other serious illness as a side effect. Would you still recommendt Abilify or Risperdal or is there any other newer or older drugs that you would recommend.
It is stated on the leaflet for Abilify that diabetes is reported as a side effect of Abilify where the frequency of it is not known to occur. For Zyprexa, diabetes is stated as an uncommon side effect which may affect up to 1 in 100 people. With Zyprexa it is also stated that a common side effect of it affecting up to 1 in 10 people is an increase in the levels of sugar in the blood and urine. I looked up risperdal on the internet and it stated that risperdal may infrequently make your blood sugar level rise which can cause or worsen diabetes. For these reasons are you stating that diabetes is less likely to occur in patients who take Abilify and Risperdal even though it can occur in those patients and are you stating that diabetes is more likely to occur in patients who take Zyprexa because a common side effect of Zyprexa affecting up to 1 in 10 people is an increase of the levels of sugar in the blood and urine. Also trouble sleeping is listed as a common side effect of Abilify affecting up to 1 in 10 people. Sleepiness is also stated as a common side effect of Abilify affecting up to 1 in 10 people. I was looking for a drug that wouldn't interfere with my sleep and that wouldn't have diabetes or any other serious illness as a side effect. Would you still recommendt Abilify or Risperdal or is there any other newer or older drugs that you would recommend.
Brief Answer:
I still recommend abilify
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
What you referred is perfectly right and you are correct in saying that chance of developing diabetes is more with Zyprexa in compare to Abilify and risperdal. It can be stated that development of diabetes is very infrequent with abilify.
Having said this I must tell you that in my almost one decade practice in psychiatry I am yet to see any patient developing increased blood sugar or diabetes with Abilify.
Being a young generation psychiatrist I prefer new generation antipsychotics and abilify is the best available option in regards to concern expressed by you.
In regard to sedation I agree with you that abilify interferes with sleep and that's why we prescribe mostly in the morning. In case it causes sedation it can be used at bed time so it does not interfere with routine of the individual.
I must acknowledge here that we are still in constant search for a antipsychotic which does not cause any side effect and it can be stated that at present we do not have any ideal antipsychotic. All available anti psychotic have one or another side effect and prescription criteria are patient efficacy as well as tolerability.
I must also inform you that if you follow the right diet and exercise program and remain physically active, than the risk of diabetes due to side effect of antispychotics reduced drastically. So it is important to have balanced diet in supervision of skilled dietitian and at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
I hope I am able to answer your concerns. If you have any more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards
I still recommend abilify
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
What you referred is perfectly right and you are correct in saying that chance of developing diabetes is more with Zyprexa in compare to Abilify and risperdal. It can be stated that development of diabetes is very infrequent with abilify.
Having said this I must tell you that in my almost one decade practice in psychiatry I am yet to see any patient developing increased blood sugar or diabetes with Abilify.
Being a young generation psychiatrist I prefer new generation antipsychotics and abilify is the best available option in regards to concern expressed by you.
In regard to sedation I agree with you that abilify interferes with sleep and that's why we prescribe mostly in the morning. In case it causes sedation it can be used at bed time so it does not interfere with routine of the individual.
I must acknowledge here that we are still in constant search for a antipsychotic which does not cause any side effect and it can be stated that at present we do not have any ideal antipsychotic. All available anti psychotic have one or another side effect and prescription criteria are patient efficacy as well as tolerability.
I must also inform you that if you follow the right diet and exercise program and remain physically active, than the risk of diabetes due to side effect of antispychotics reduced drastically. So it is important to have balanced diet in supervision of skilled dietitian and at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
I hope I am able to answer your concerns. If you have any more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX
I understand why you still recommend Abilify. I find I am generally a good sleeper and I do tend to feel depressed on all psychiatric drugs and I especially find it hard to get up in the morning on psychiatric drugs. Due to the fact that I feel depressed on psychiatric drugs I find it hard to exercise but I do manage to walk for 80 or 120 minutes per week anyway but only due to the fact that I have to. I have been on one psychiatric drug or another since 1990 mostly.
I was wondering could you tell me what is the equivalent dosage of ABilify of 10mg of Zyprexa. I take 10 mg of Zyprexa at night and I would like to know what would the equivalent of that be in Abilify. In other words what dosage of Abilify would I as a substitute for 10mg of Zyprexa.
Thank you for your help.
Kind Regards, XXXXXXX Burke.
I understand why you still recommend Abilify. I find I am generally a good sleeper and I do tend to feel depressed on all psychiatric drugs and I especially find it hard to get up in the morning on psychiatric drugs. Due to the fact that I feel depressed on psychiatric drugs I find it hard to exercise but I do manage to walk for 80 or 120 minutes per week anyway but only due to the fact that I have to. I have been on one psychiatric drug or another since 1990 mostly.
I was wondering could you tell me what is the equivalent dosage of ABilify of 10mg of Zyprexa. I take 10 mg of Zyprexa at night and I would like to know what would the equivalent of that be in Abilify. In other words what dosage of Abilify would I as a substitute for 10mg of Zyprexa.
Thank you for your help.
Kind Regards, XXXXXXX Burke.
Brief Answer:
it will be in range of 15-20 mg
Detailed Answer:
DEar XXXXXXX
Welcome back to healthcaremagic.
It is difficult to determine equivalent dose for Abilify as there is no head to head studies exist with Zyprexa.
But according to effective dose range of both Zyprexa (5-20 mg) and abilify (10-30mg) I think a dose in the range of 15 to 20 mg per day will suffice to control your symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
Thanks and regards
it will be in range of 15-20 mg
Detailed Answer:
DEar XXXXXXX
Welcome back to healthcaremagic.
It is difficult to determine equivalent dose for Abilify as there is no head to head studies exist with Zyprexa.
But according to effective dose range of both Zyprexa (5-20 mg) and abilify (10-30mg) I think a dose in the range of 15 to 20 mg per day will suffice to control your symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX
Thank You for your answer. I was just wondering about what you think of the drug Dolmatil as a possible substitute for Zyprexa. From what I could make out it doesn't cause diabetes but I think it can affect the immune system as it can cause a decrease in the number of white blood cells I think. In any case I will be happy to go with Abilify or Dolmatil maybe depending on what your view on Dolmatil is.
Thank You,
Regards, XXXXXXX XXXXXX
Thank You for your answer. I was just wondering about what you think of the drug Dolmatil as a possible substitute for Zyprexa. From what I could make out it doesn't cause diabetes but I think it can affect the immune system as it can cause a decrease in the number of white blood cells I think. In any case I will be happy to go with Abilify or Dolmatil maybe depending on what your view on Dolmatil is.
Thank You,
Regards, XXXXXXX XXXXXX
Brief Answer:
It is not available in my country but ..........
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
I agree with your statement that Dolmatil does not cause diabetes and is weight neutral. I also agree that it is not that much sedative like zyprexa and good option in that regard.
But on the other hand it is old generation antipsychotic and and have more propensity to cause extra pyramidal side effects in compare to Zyprexa.
Other than that I do not have any practical experience with it as it is not available in my country.
Considering all these facts I will prefer Abilify over Sulpiride (Dolmatil ) as both have there own problems and usefulness.
I hope your psychiatrist will prefer abilify over Dolmatil as it is better studied in compare to Dolmatil.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards
It is not available in my country but ..........
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
I agree with your statement that Dolmatil does not cause diabetes and is weight neutral. I also agree that it is not that much sedative like zyprexa and good option in that regard.
But on the other hand it is old generation antipsychotic and and have more propensity to cause extra pyramidal side effects in compare to Zyprexa.
Other than that I do not have any practical experience with it as it is not available in my country.
Considering all these facts I will prefer Abilify over Sulpiride (Dolmatil ) as both have there own problems and usefulness.
I hope your psychiatrist will prefer abilify over Dolmatil as it is better studied in compare to Dolmatil.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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