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Suggest Ways To Deal With Side Effects Of Oxazepam
Question: My wife is now in a secure care nursing home ward because she has advanced dementia (diagnosed Alzheimers Disease).
She is 64 yrs of age and was very active when she arrived at the home, too active apparently to nurse! She was prescribed a number of antipsychotic medications last year and is now in a wheelchair unable to walk unaided. Very tired and confused. The medications prescribed for her are Alepam (Oxazepam), Epilim (Sodium Vaproate) and Olanzapine RBX. I've noticed on the net that these antipsychotic medications can have a lot of unwanted side effects. My wife seems to have developed many of these side effects since being prescribed the medication (approx 12 months ago), swollen ankles, weight gain, tiredness and severe mobility problems. I'm worried that she's being over, or wrongly medicated, I'm not really sure why she's on any of it apart from calming her into a near unconscious state! What are your thoughts re her medications? Thanks, XXXX. email YYYY@YYYY
She is 64 yrs of age and was very active when she arrived at the home, too active apparently to nurse! She was prescribed a number of antipsychotic medications last year and is now in a wheelchair unable to walk unaided. Very tired and confused. The medications prescribed for her are Alepam (Oxazepam), Epilim (Sodium Vaproate) and Olanzapine RBX. I've noticed on the net that these antipsychotic medications can have a lot of unwanted side effects. My wife seems to have developed many of these side effects since being prescribed the medication (approx 12 months ago), swollen ankles, weight gain, tiredness and severe mobility problems. I'm worried that she's being over, or wrongly medicated, I'm not really sure why she's on any of it apart from calming her into a near unconscious state! What are your thoughts re her medications? Thanks, XXXX. email YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
Oxazepam to be used for short time or stopped as it may worsen the symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
She is 64 years old and has advanced dementia. She also have some psychiatric illness and is on antipsychotic medicines. She is currently Oxazepam, Sodium Valproate and Olanzapine. Over all these medicines are safe to use though they are associated with some side effects. If we consider one by one then-
- Oxazepam is a benzodiazepine drug and is a safe drug. The drug is known to cause sedation, drowsiness, dizziness, amnesia etc side effect. As per my opinion the drug should be avoided in patients of dementia because it may further worsen cognitive impairment and memory problems. She is 64 so it may increase risk of falls during sleep which may result in injuries. Consult her doctor again regarding this medicine.
- Olanzapine is a second generation anti psychotic agent which is also a mood stabiliser. The drug can cause side effects like sedation, increased appetite, weight gain and metabolic side effects. Most commonly increased lipid levels, increased sugar levels are seen. But if used with proper prescription and in a person with healthy life style it can be used without fear.
- Sodium Valproate or Epilim is a mood stabiliser drug and the drug is over all safe drug. In normal doses it may cause sedation, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, giddiness, restlessness etc side effects. One thing that should be monitored while on Epilim is liver function tests. It is known to raise liver enzymes and may cause liver toxicity in some susceptible individuals. So periodic liver functions tests should be done when she is on this drug.
Over all all these drugs are safe to use in normal prescribed doses. As per my opinion Oxazepam should be substituted with some other safer drug. She should undergo liver function tests, tests for lipids and blood glucose periodically.
Hope this helps you, please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Thanks, take care
Oxazepam to be used for short time or stopped as it may worsen the symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
She is 64 years old and has advanced dementia. She also have some psychiatric illness and is on antipsychotic medicines. She is currently Oxazepam, Sodium Valproate and Olanzapine. Over all these medicines are safe to use though they are associated with some side effects. If we consider one by one then-
- Oxazepam is a benzodiazepine drug and is a safe drug. The drug is known to cause sedation, drowsiness, dizziness, amnesia etc side effect. As per my opinion the drug should be avoided in patients of dementia because it may further worsen cognitive impairment and memory problems. She is 64 so it may increase risk of falls during sleep which may result in injuries. Consult her doctor again regarding this medicine.
- Olanzapine is a second generation anti psychotic agent which is also a mood stabiliser. The drug can cause side effects like sedation, increased appetite, weight gain and metabolic side effects. Most commonly increased lipid levels, increased sugar levels are seen. But if used with proper prescription and in a person with healthy life style it can be used without fear.
- Sodium Valproate or Epilim is a mood stabiliser drug and the drug is over all safe drug. In normal doses it may cause sedation, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, giddiness, restlessness etc side effects. One thing that should be monitored while on Epilim is liver function tests. It is known to raise liver enzymes and may cause liver toxicity in some susceptible individuals. So periodic liver functions tests should be done when she is on this drug.
Over all all these drugs are safe to use in normal prescribed doses. As per my opinion Oxazepam should be substituted with some other safer drug. She should undergo liver function tests, tests for lipids and blood glucose periodically.
Hope this helps you, please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Thanks, take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
When looking at these antipsychotic medications on the net, I noticed that Olanzapine (and Risperidone), have a warning issued from the 'Committee on the Safety of Medicines' (CSM) in the UK, which states that they should not be given to elderly patients with dementia. In the U.S. Olanzapine comes with a 'black box' warning for increased risk of death in elderly patients. It is not approved for use in patients with dementia related psychosis. My wife has been prescribed Olanzapine RBX for over twelve months now? Her last pharmacy account (sent to you as an attachment with my original questions), shows that she is receiving 2 x 5 mg tabs
daily. 09th Dec 2014 Olanzapine RBX Tab 5 mg (28). Then again on 22 Dec 2014 Olanzapine RBX Tab 5 mg (28). Should I ask that this medication not be prescribed?
Thanks for your advice.
XXXX
ps whenever I raise concerns re her medication (side effects), I'm always informed that, 'we're not giving her much'!
daily. 09th Dec 2014 Olanzapine RBX Tab 5 mg (28). Then again on 22 Dec 2014 Olanzapine RBX Tab 5 mg (28). Should I ask that this medication not be prescribed?
Thanks for your advice.
XXXX
ps whenever I raise concerns re her medication (side effects), I'm always informed that, 'we're not giving her much'!
Brief Answer:
Olanzapin is absolutely safe drug and no reasons to fear
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again
Olanzapine is a safe drug and there is no reason for fear from that. Though it has been issued black box warning for use in elderly but that cant be made basis to discontinue the drug. The drug is relatively safe and it should be used in relatively lower doses in elderly (especially in more than 75 years age). Your wife is taking 2X5 mg dose and this dose is not a high dose. This dose will not worsen the dementia and is safe in her age. Even a number of antidepressants carry black box warning but they are safe. I am prescribing the drug olanzapine to a number of patients in my OPD and I never find any serious side effects in them, so please don't fear from that drug, the drug is absolutely safe.
You can consult her psychiatrist if possible to reduce the doses as soon as her symptomatic improvement occurs.
Olanzapin is absolutely safe drug and no reasons to fear
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again
Olanzapine is a safe drug and there is no reason for fear from that. Though it has been issued black box warning for use in elderly but that cant be made basis to discontinue the drug. The drug is relatively safe and it should be used in relatively lower doses in elderly (especially in more than 75 years age). Your wife is taking 2X5 mg dose and this dose is not a high dose. This dose will not worsen the dementia and is safe in her age. Even a number of antidepressants carry black box warning but they are safe. I am prescribing the drug olanzapine to a number of patients in my OPD and I never find any serious side effects in them, so please don't fear from that drug, the drug is absolutely safe.
You can consult her psychiatrist if possible to reduce the doses as soon as her symptomatic improvement occurs.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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