Posted by Cam W. on October 13, 2000, at 7:38:00
In reply to Risperdal or Seroquel? Help Please?, posted by Greg on October 12, 2000, at 8:52:08
Gerg - Seroquel is sort of a different beast. At a conference I attended, Dr. Bill Wirshing from Berkley said that Clozaril™ (clozapine) was highly toxic and highly efficacious and that Seroquel™ (quetiapine) was incredibly safe, with few side effects; but it didn't work.
I had thought this for quite a while, but experience has shown that Seroquel does work very well in a sub-group of people with bipolar disorder. For those for who it does work, it works like a damn. Dr. Roy Chengappa from the U of Pittsburgh has shown this. Some of the people are clear headed within a week (I've seen some dramatic improvements). In some of these people though, the effect seems to wane in 3 or 4 months, but many have been maintained for a couple of years.
Just judging by side effect profiles, I would try the Seroquel first. Risperdal is very effective in many people, but the risk of EPS and hyperprolactemia (leaky boobs, even in you) would stop me from using it first. These side effects are not seen at doses below 4mg per day very often, though.
Hope this helps - Cam
P.S. - Greg, I will be posting in ASH tonight after 9pm (your time). I will give more info, then.
poster:Cam W.
thread:46197
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001012/msgs/46259.html