Molindone hydrochloride is less likely to cause hypotension than chlorpromazine, and extrapyramidal effects may be frequent but less severe. The incidence of sedation is intermediate between that of chlorpromazine and of phenothiazines with a piperazine side-chain.
Antipsychotic drugs
Switching Antipsychotics
Our son was just switched from risperidone to olanzapine. He was on risperidone for almost two years, which alleviated the extrapyramidal and tardive symptoms, but did not control the delusions and auditory hallucinations.
Haloperidol
Practically insoluble in water slightly soluble in alcohol, in dichloromethane, and in methyl alcohol. A white to faintly yellowish amorphous or microcrystalline powder. Practically insoluble in water soluble 1 in 60 of alcohol, 1 in 15 of chloroform, and 1 in 200 of ether.
Melperone Hydrochloride
Melperone is a butyrophenone with general properties similar to those of haloperidol. It is given as the hydrochloride by mouth or by intramuscular injection for the management of psychoses such as schizophrenia and in disturbed behaviour doses are expressed as the hydrochloride. A usual oral dose is up to 400 mg daily in divided doses.
Haldol: antipsychotic medication
What is your opinion/experience on using Haldol IM in large doses (100mg. x 3 and 300mg/month for maintenance) for rapid tranquillization? I have been doing this in a prison population with good results, but wonder what risks may be. The use of injectable haloperidol (non-decanoate) intramuscular (IM) for “rapid tranquilization;” 2.
Schizophrenia & Alzheimer’s
My mother, whose mental problems date back to the early 1970s, was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic at age 55. We had to go to court to get her committed to a hospital. The problem is that the drugs administered to calm her down and prevent her aggressiveness have evaporated her memory.
Depressed Patient
I have a patient, 24, who has recently become depressed to the point of not wanting to do anything. She mostly just sleeps, and has recently begun having problems at work and in her personal life as a result. Her psychiatrist prescribed Zoloft 100mg, but I am wondering what else can be done for her.
When to Introduce Antipsychotics
When do you feel antipsychotics should be used to treat anxiety? My patient is very distressed, cannot concentrate and has a hard time with rational thought. He suggested this as a possible option, but what do you think?Answer.
Risperdal for Depression?
My 14-year-old daughter was diagnosed with severe depression. She has been taking 30 mg of Prozac daily for almost a month. Yesterday, she tried to commit suicide by taking 12 diet pills.
Levomepromazine
A white or slightly cream-coloured crystalline powder. Practically insoluble in water slightly soluble in alcohol freely soluble in ether.
Hopeless Phobic?
I’ve suffered from general social phobias all my life. I’m unable to tolerate the MAOIs due to digestive difficulties and the RIMAs are not available in the U. I’ve also tried Klonopin and Valium which wore off and never helped with the internal thought processes.
Thioridazine
Practically insoluble in water soluble in alcohol very soluble in dichloromethane freely soluble in methyl alcohol. A white to slightly yellow crystalline or micronised powder odourless or having a faint odour.
Droperidol
Practically insoluble in water sparingly soluble in alcohol freely soluble in dichloromethane and in dimethylformamide. A white to light tan amorphous or microcrystalline powder.
Ziprasidone
Although ziprasidone may share some of the adverse effects seen with the classical antipsychotics (see Chlorpromazine), the incidence and severity of such effects may vary. Frequent adverse effects with ziprasidone include somnolence, rash or urticaria, gastrointestinal disturbances, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, hypertension, headache, agitation, confusion, and dyspnoea. Orthostatic hypotension may be a problem, particularly when starting treatment.
Schizophrenia-Negative Mode
What is going on inside the mind of an adult currently suffering from schizophrenia-negative mode? It is always hard to know what is truly “going on inside the mind” of any patient, particularly patients with psychotic disorders. Carpenter and his colleagues at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center have further distinguished negative symptoms due to “extraneous” factors (such as depression, prolonged institutionalization or medication side effects) from negative features that are enduring “core” features of schizophrenia-the so-called deficit form of schizophrenia.
Olanzapine
A suspension of olanzapine 1 mg/mL, made by crushing olanzapine tablets and suspending the powder in a syrup-based mixture containing carboxymethylcellulose preserved with methyl hydroxybenzoate and propyl hydroxybenzoate (Guy’s Hospital paediatric base formula), was considered to be stable for 2 weeks when stored in a refrigerator. Although olanzapine may share some of the adverse effects seen with the classical antipsychotics (see Chlorpromazine), the incidence and severity of such effects may vary.
Flupentixol
BP 2008 (Flupentixol Decanoate). Very slightly soluble in water soluble in alcohol freely soluble in chloroform and in ether. Store at a temperature below -15° and protect from light.
Antipsychotics and Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
Are some antipsychotic drugs more prone to cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) than others? Is olanzapine known to cause NMS as well? What else can you tell me about the possibilities that olanzapine will benefit schizophrenics? How is this drug better/worse than other choices? My husband was diagnosed with NMS last year while on Stelazine and since then has not taken any antipsychotic drugs. What would be the drug of choice if he is to try a new one? Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a severe disorder brought on by drugs used to treat psychosis.
Chlorpromazine. Precautions. Interactions
Chlorpromazine and other phenothiazines are contra-indicated in patients with pre-existing CNS depression or coma, bone-marrow suppression, phaeochromocytoma, or prolactin-dependent tumours. They should be used with caution or not at all in patients with impaired liver, kidney, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory function and in those with angle-closure glaucoma, a history of jaundice, parkinsonism, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, myasthenia gravis, paralytic ileus, prostatic hyperplasia, or urinary retention. Care is required in patients with epilepsy or a history of seizures as phenothiazines may lower the seizure threshold.
Smoking Patients and Psychotropic Medications
It has been declared a “smoke-free” environment, except for out on grounds. Many patients are smokers who will never be allowed on grounds, and so they can’t smoke.
Zuclopenthixol
Clopenthixol (BAN, INN, USAN) is the racemic mixture. BP 2008 (Zuclopenthixol Acetate).
Fluphenazine
A pale yellow viscous liquid or a yellow solid. Practically insoluble in water very soluble in dehydrated alcohol and in dichloromethane freely soluble in methyl alcohol.
Clozaril Levels
I am a pharmacist who practices in a mental health hospital. We are seeing some levels of both clozapine and norclozapine that are beyond the generally accepted blood levels. My own research on the subject has indicated that 1) Clozaril level is generally equated with efficacy, norclozaril level with adverse effects, 2) the optimal ratio of Clozaril to norclozaril is 2:1, 3) if the levels are high, but the patient is doing well and is suffering from no adverse effects, then leave the dose alone, and 4) some SSRI’s and Tagamet can be used in rapid cyclers to even out the Clozaril/norclozaril ratios.
Loxapine
A white to yellowish, odourless, crystalline powder. There has been a report of 3 cases of loxapine succinate abuse.
Amisulpride
Practically insoluble in water sparingly soluble in dehydrated alcohol freely soluble in dichloromethane. Although amisulpride may share some of the adverse effects seen with the classical antipsychotics (see Chlorpromazine), the incidence and severity of such effects may vary. Insomnia, anxiety, and agitation are common adverse effects with amisulpride.