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Depression, Overweight. Taking Arpizol, Pacitance, Sizodon. Is It Related?
My wife is taking tablets for dipression from the past 4 years, as suggested by our doctor ( Physiciatrist ) . The medicines are Sizodon 3mg, Arpizol 30 mg, ( both during night) and Pacetance 2 mg ( morning after breakfast). My wife age is around 36 Years and my age is 42 Years and we have a son at 5 and 1/2 year . This sysmptom of dipression to my wife was diagonised after the birth of my son.( My son age was approximately 1 year 2 months).Before that my wife was quiet normal. Doctors will taper these medicines after some time ( They will only reduce sizodon from 3 mg to 1 mg during the course of 6 to 8 months during that time due to the medicines side effect her appetite will increase with the results her weight will increase , due to the same my wife will stop taking the medicines ( all the medicines ) without my knowledge this has repeated 4 to 5 times during the past 4 years with the result again her symptom of dipression will worsone and again we will be seaking the guidance of our doctor and our doctor will start the medicines from the higer dosage as prescribed in the begining which will take 3 months time to act ( My wife will become normal) and this repeats. The fallowing are my questions .
1. Normally how long my wife need to take such medicines ?
2. Is the tapering of medicines ( From Sizodon 3 mg to Sizodon 1 mg during 5-7 months is ok)?
3. Is there any better medicines for her ?
4. Basically why such things depression will happen ? is it cureable or lifelong one has to suffer like this
5. Is there any side effect of these medicines during long run?
6. During the consumption of sizodon my wife appetite will increase and weight will increase is it true?
7. How to ensure that she will take the medicines without discontinuation regularly ?
8. Any suggestions from you on this ?
1. Normally how long my wife need to take such medicines ?
2. Is the tapering of medicines ( From Sizodon 3 mg to Sizodon 1 mg during 5-7 months is ok)?
3. Is there any better medicines for her ?
4. Basically why such things depression will happen ? is it cureable or lifelong one has to suffer like this
5. Is there any side effect of these medicines during long run?
6. During the consumption of sizodon my wife appetite will increase and weight will increase is it true?
7. How to ensure that she will take the medicines without discontinuation regularly ?
8. Any suggestions from you on this ?
Thu, 4 Jul 2013
Hi,
Since your wife relapses each time she stops medications, it must be evident to you that for the time being she cannot stop these medications without the risk of illness reappearing. She needs to be symptom free atleast for a few years continuously before the decision of stopping her medicines, can be taken. Time will decide this.
Tapering of risperidone (sizodon) from 3 to 1mg over 5-7 months is ok. This is decided by the clinician depending on the patient's condition.
You also say that she recovers well on the medication she gets and is symptom free, that gives one a rough idea that she is on the right medication. You said she was diagnosed with depressive illness but did not mention any antidepressant in the regimen. I will not be able to comment on it till i see the patient in person.
Depressive disorder is a chronic disorder, the disease can be controlled by medications not cured. Taking medications regularly is the only way to deal with it.
There are more problematic effects on the long run if the medicines are not taken. Repeated untreated episodes of illness can cause deterioration in the patient in many aspects. When compared to this, the side effects are more manageable. Almost all medications do have side effects.
Yes risperidone can cause weight gain in patients. It is a side effect.
To ensure she takes medicines regularly, a family member will have to monitor it. There is no other way. When a person is mentally ill, they usually lose insight into their illness so you cannot expect the patient to take medicines themselves.
Hope this helps,
Dr A Rao
Since your wife relapses each time she stops medications, it must be evident to you that for the time being she cannot stop these medications without the risk of illness reappearing. She needs to be symptom free atleast for a few years continuously before the decision of stopping her medicines, can be taken. Time will decide this.
Tapering of risperidone (sizodon) from 3 to 1mg over 5-7 months is ok. This is decided by the clinician depending on the patient's condition.
You also say that she recovers well on the medication she gets and is symptom free, that gives one a rough idea that she is on the right medication. You said she was diagnosed with depressive illness but did not mention any antidepressant in the regimen. I will not be able to comment on it till i see the patient in person.
Depressive disorder is a chronic disorder, the disease can be controlled by medications not cured. Taking medications regularly is the only way to deal with it.
There are more problematic effects on the long run if the medicines are not taken. Repeated untreated episodes of illness can cause deterioration in the patient in many aspects. When compared to this, the side effects are more manageable. Almost all medications do have side effects.
Yes risperidone can cause weight gain in patients. It is a side effect.
To ensure she takes medicines regularly, a family member will have to monitor it. There is no other way. When a person is mentally ill, they usually lose insight into their illness so you cannot expect the patient to take medicines themselves.
Hope this helps,
Dr A Rao
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2 users find this helpful
Hello:
1) 4 years is quite long. There may be another medication or just one medication that is suitable. Unfortunately, I don't believe you can recommend medications on this site. It may suit her to got to her family doctor and discuss being tapered off her medications and trying something else if her depression has not subsided. It would be good to get to the route cause of her symptoms.
2) I believe if she feels that the medications are not working that she should try something else.
3) Yes, there may be another medication that would be suited to her. I think it might benefit her to go for some further tests including allergy tests.
4) She may wish to continue seeing a psychotherapist or Psychiatrist until she is feeling better.
5) Where I am most pharmacies can provide a printout of the side effects of medications she could read. If the side effects she is experiencing are too bothersome it would be best to try something else.
6) In some cases you can gain weight with certain medications but not necessarily.
7) Again, she may need to go on something else.
I suggest she continue taking these medications until she sees a doctor at a clinic or hopefully her family doctor.
I wish you well!
1) 4 years is quite long. There may be another medication or just one medication that is suitable. Unfortunately, I don't believe you can recommend medications on this site. It may suit her to got to her family doctor and discuss being tapered off her medications and trying something else if her depression has not subsided. It would be good to get to the route cause of her symptoms.
2) I believe if she feels that the medications are not working that she should try something else.
3) Yes, there may be another medication that would be suited to her. I think it might benefit her to go for some further tests including allergy tests.
4) She may wish to continue seeing a psychotherapist or Psychiatrist until she is feeling better.
5) Where I am most pharmacies can provide a printout of the side effects of medications she could read. If the side effects she is experiencing are too bothersome it would be best to try something else.
6) In some cases you can gain weight with certain medications but not necessarily.
7) Again, she may need to go on something else.
I suggest she continue taking these medications until she sees a doctor at a clinic or hopefully her family doctor.
I wish you well!
I find this answer helpful
2 users find this helpful
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