Posted by med_empowered on December 8, 2006, at 20:09:16
In reply to Depokote or Risperdal?, posted by TrishP on December 8, 2006, at 6:59:45
neither of these are meds to be taken lightly. A benzo, maybe only for a couple weeks, would probably be enough to do the trick..its not really necessary to drug you into a stupor.
Anyway...given the choice between these 2 (rough, side-effect filled) medications, I'd choose Depakote, because at least that way you won't get Tardive Dyskinesia or Neuroleptic Malignancy Syndrome. The risks of any antipsychotic-related problems go up considerably when you starting mixing neuroleptics (which, if ABSOLUTELY necessary should really only be done in chronic, unresponsive schizophrenics).
Depakote can cause weight gain and hair loss and flattening of mood. You'll need regular blood tests and it can mess with menstrual cycles and weight.
Risperdal can cause antipsychotic problems (TD, EPS, akathisia) plus weight gain, drug-induced mania, and metabolic problems.
Will your doc try anything else? B/c both the options you've been given are really, really hardcore...the depakote+atypical combo is pretty common in people with hardcore bipolar I and people with schizoaffective/schizophrenia, but its overkill for people with lesser problems.
poster:med_empowered
thread:711410
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061206/msgs/711695.html