Posted by SLS on November 2, 2005, at 22:44:15
In reply to Re: Risperdal ever make any one worse?, posted by 4wd on November 2, 2005, at 22:04:45
> Scott, what's the deal with Risperdal?
Your doctor is right. It can work to augment antidepressants. You can find evidence of this on Medline.
You can also find evidence of EPS occuring with every neuroleptic (antipsychotic), whether it be typical or atypical. However, the statistical risk among drugs is different. EPS includes involuntary body movements, muscle rigidity, and akathisia. So far, you have not experienced any of these things.
The greatest fear for the use of any neuroleptic is the evolution of tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD is the occurence of involuntary muscle movements - usually orofacial and neck - that develops only after long term use of these drugs. It is not the same as the EPS that occurs at the beginning of treatment. TD can take years to develop. Unfortunately, this adverse effect is generally irreversible. Perhaps this will change in the future.
All of the newer atypical neuroleptics, including Risperdal, have a much lower incidence to EPS and TD compared to the older ones (Thorazine, Haldol, etc.) Of the newer ones, Risperdal appears to act most like the older ones in several ways. This might be why you have been given negative feedback about it. However, it is generally thought that significant risks with Risperdal occur only at dosages of 6.0mg and higher. As an augmentor of antidepressants to treat non-psychotic depression, the dosages used are generally 2.0mg and less. It does work.
Your anxiety might be a component of your depression rather than a separate disorder. When the depression is treated successfully, so might the anxiety along with it. Perhaps this can be accomplished in the future without using Risperdal. Just keep working with your doctor to try different treatments. I doubt Risperdal will be necessary long-term.
How are you handling drug trials right now? Are you trying new things? Have you ever tried an MAOI? How about Cymbalta?
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:573941
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051031/msgs/574759.html