Posted by Cam W. on October 23, 2001, at 8:35:44
In reply to ZYPREXA/CLOZARIL decision- Cam, can you help? , posted by Karen Curtis on October 23, 2001, at 8:12:13
Karen - I want to start out by saying that I haven't been involved in the treatment of too many children. I did attend a presentation by Dr.Sarah Matthews, one of the best child psychiatrists in our area, though.
This is a discussion that you should be having with your doc. The Zyprexa™ (olanzapine) may be worth a try again, but perhaps your doc saw that it wasn't touching some of the core symptoms. This may be why he wants to try Clozaril™ (clozapine).
Zyprexa and Clozaril are related, but more like second cousins, than siblings. Both block muscarinic receptors, which causes the drowsiness, some of the weight gain, and probably the drooling seen with Clozaril.
Clozaril, by far, is the best, most potent, and most effective antipsychotic (or better called, a neuroleptic) we have. It is the gold standard in treatment. If it weren't for the nasty blood side effects (agranulocytosis - which isn't really that common) it would be used almost exclusively in any remotely treatment-resistant case.
The side effects (weight gain, drooling, drowsiness) are a very small price to pay for the extent of it's effectiveness. I am speaking from the point of view of treating adults, but Dr.Matthews does seem to echo the sentiments for children.
I really hope this is of some help. It is really no more than other posters (Chloe, I believe) have already told you. - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:82049
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011015/msgs/82053.html