Posted on 04/12/2005 12:24:01 PM PDT by neverdem
These atypical antipsychotics are prescribed for demented patients who are usually very agitated.
After working with all of them, I frankly think Haldol and Thorazine are better drugs...and they are no picnics.
It seems like when everything else has been tried and failed they end up going back on Haldol.
My mother, who has mild dementia, was put on Respirdal while in the hospital for pneumonia. The doctors wanted her to stay on it. We took her off it, and she is doing better than when she took it.
All true. Also, with regard the high cost of a drug like Zyprexa, what is not mentioned here is the cost of not treating someone with schizophrenia. The cost of having someone coming into an ER with full blown psychosis 5 or 6 times a year may be a lot more expensive than having them stay compliant with the meds. Not to mention the cost (emotionally and financially) to the family.
I wouldn't give Zyprexa to my own, or Geodon...
You bring up good points. But they are difficult drugs at best with significant tradeoffs.
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