Posted by ed_uk on December 3, 2004, at 13:36:10
In reply to Re: flupenthixol- to Irene » ed_uk, posted by iris2 on December 3, 2004, at 12:47:54
Hi!
If you didn't get hyperprolactinemia from the perphenazine you might not get it from flupenthixol either. A high dose of flupenthixol would be expected to have an effect similar to perphenazine but a low dose of flupenthixol can produce AD effects (which may resemble the effect of low-dose amisulpride.) After all, flupenthixol has been hypothesised to have an AD effect via the same mechanism as amisulpride. To quote the data sheet.... 'It has been postulated that at low dosage flupentixol binds to presynaptic dopamine receptors causing increased neurotransmitter release.'
If I were you I'd probably try Fluanxol. If you don't like it you don't have to continue it! I'd start with a very low dose and increase gradually if necessary. It's important to find the minimum effective dose. Too high a dose could be less effective and have many more side effects. In the weight gain department, flupenthixol usually isn't too offensive- but weight gain is still a possibility. Flupenthixol can cause tardive dyskinesia(TD), the risk is higher than with amisulpride. Since TD can be permanent, this is an important consideration. The risk is minimised by finding the lowest effective dose. Intermittent treatment, rather than long-term continuous treatment might be desirable. Flupenthixol is usually effective after taking a suitable dose for about a week. If you don't benefit within a few weeks then you probably never will!
Is flupenthixol (Fluanxol) available where you live?
Regards,
Ed.
poster:ed_uk
thread:419791
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041201/msgs/423956.html