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How To Withdraw From Risperdal And Depakote?
My husband was on prozac for years for bipolar disorder. It suddenly had an adverse effect. He was changed to risperdal and depakote. New he is a zombie. Does not talk ant more. When we go anywhere he just slides his feet to walk around & does not interact with anyone. Hardly eats and sleeps 14 hours or more at a time. He wants off the meds and I am scared to halt his taking them. Can he stop the meds? He used to joke around with anybody and everybody. Now he isn t even a person.
Tue, 18 Sep 2018
Hi,
It might have been useful if you had provided some more detail on his previous symptoms, whether he had any psychotic manifestations for which Risperdal is generally used. You seem to indicate there weren't any such manifestations since he was fine on Prozac only and was interrupted only due to side effects. You also do not specify the dosages of Risperdal and Depakote, a dose reduction might be enough.
If I were to withdraw one of the drugs I would withdraw Risperdal which is the most likely to cause the changes you describe and is usually used when there are psychotic manifestations. I would continue Depakote which is a mood stabilizer.
However, I would discuss any change with the treating psychiatrist. Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition for which you should have a psychiatrist who monitors any therapy changes, any reductions or interruptions of treatment are not to be done lightly.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Olsi Taka,
Neurologist
It might have been useful if you had provided some more detail on his previous symptoms, whether he had any psychotic manifestations for which Risperdal is generally used. You seem to indicate there weren't any such manifestations since he was fine on Prozac only and was interrupted only due to side effects. You also do not specify the dosages of Risperdal and Depakote, a dose reduction might be enough.
If I were to withdraw one of the drugs I would withdraw Risperdal which is the most likely to cause the changes you describe and is usually used when there are psychotic manifestations. I would continue Depakote which is a mood stabilizer.
However, I would discuss any change with the treating psychiatrist. Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition for which you should have a psychiatrist who monitors any therapy changes, any reductions or interruptions of treatment are not to be done lightly.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Olsi Taka,
Neurologist
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