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Administrator
Administrator
14915 Posts
Gratitude: 577
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 Posted - 05/28/2005 : 12:40:20
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Dear Members,
It is important to have a balanced discussion about the medications used in the treatment of Schizophrenia.
Thus it can be very misleading to present a list of a hundred side-effects for a medication without a statement that only a minority of patients experience these side-effects. Most side-effects (except weight gain) disappear after a few weeks on these life-saving medications.
It is true that what may be a miracle medication for one individual with Schizophrenia, can prove to be intolerable for another individual. Nevertheless, for the majority of individuals with Schizophrenia, medication can literally save their lives.
Now, just for comparison, I want to list all the documented side-effects for aspirin.
ASPIRIN
Contraindications
Salicylate sensitivity, active peptic ulcer.
Warnings
ASA is one of the most frequent causes of accidental poisonings in toddlers and infants. Tablets should be kept well out of the reach of children.
A possible association between Reye's syndrome and the use of salicylates has been suggested but not established. Reye's syndrome has also occurred in many patients not exposed to salicylates. However, caution is advised when prescribing salicylate-containing medications for children and teenagers with influenza or chickenpox.
Precautions
Salicylates should be administered cautiously to patients with asthma and other allergic conditions, a history of gastrointestinal ulcerations, bleeding tendencies, significant anemia or hypoprothrombinemia.
Patients taking ASA daily are at an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal bleeding following the ingestion of alcohol.
Caution is necessary when salicylates and anticoagulants are prescribed concurrently, as salicylates can depress the concentration of prothrombin in the plasma.
Diabetics receiving concurrent salicylate and hypoglycemic therapy should be monitored closely: reduction of the sulfonylurea hypoglycemic drug dosage may be necessary; insulin requirements may change.
Pregnancy
High doses (3 g daily) of ASA during pregnancy may lengthen the gestation and parturition time.
Salicylates may alter valproic acid (VPA) metabolism and may displace VPA from protein binding sites, possibly intensifying the effects of VPA. Caution is recommended when VPA is administered concomitantly with salicylates.
Adverse Effects
Gastrointestinal
(the frequency and severity of these adverse effects are dose related) nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding and/or ulceration, dyspepsia, heartburn.
Ear
tinnitus, vertigo, hearing loss.
Hematologic
leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, purpura, anemia.
Dermatologic and Hypersensitivity
urticaria, angioedema, pruritus, skin eruptions, asthma, anaphylaxis.
Miscellaneous
mental confusion, drowsiness, sweating, thirst.
When you read the above list of side-effects, your first impression could be that aspirin must be a very toxic medication. But it isn't. The problem with these quick lists of side-effects is that they don't give the frequency of occurrence of these side-effects. Almost all of the side-effects of aspirin occur in less than 1% of the population.
That is why "a little information is a dangerous thing". You can't judge a medication from a quick listing of its side-effects. We will look forward to hearing from our members that are on these medications. I believe this is a far better way to evaluate these medications than just listing their rare side-effects.
Phil Long M.D.
Administrator   |
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| pharmacistdan2005
Starting Member
31 Posts
Gratitude: 4
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Posted - 05/28/2005 : 16:23:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Administrator
Dear Members,
It is important to have a balanced discussion about the medications used in the treatment of Schizophrenia.
Phil Long M.D.
Administrator
For more than 50 years, doctors have relied upon the Physicians' Desk Reference for the latest, most accurate drug information. Today that trusted knowledge is available to you and your family through PDRhealth.
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/index.html
The drug information on PDRhealth is written in lay terms and is based on the FDA-approved drug information found in the PDR. It gives consumers plain-English explanations for the safe and effective use of prescription and nonprescription drugs—explanations that are consistent with the information professionals are referencing in the PDR. Use to read about a drug your doctor may have prescribed to check for side effects, drug interactions, and other important information.
While great care has been taken in organizing and presenting the material on PDRhealth, please note that information on a web site should never be substituted for the advice of your doctor or other health professional. |
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| Elfie
Full Member (100+ posts)
172 Posts
Gratitude: 10
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Posted - 09/23/2006 : 19:47:09
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Also,and I'm just being fair here. We don't take asprin, as a rule, daily. (well many do but I'm talking about normal, average person use of asprin) These antipsychotics, we are taking every day, probably for the rest of our life. So you do have to worry more about medication that you take long term and regularly than you do about a drug you take on occasion to aleviate pain or fever.
Look, I agree with you. The argument I make is academic. But it's something to consider. Perhaps these asprin side effects affect such a little percent of the population because they are not taken regularly as a rule? *I'm asking* If so, that is a variable that has to be considered.
that being said, I think people shouldn't be scared of their antipsychotic drugs. They will save your life ad if you can' handle the side effects of the drug you have been prescribed, in my experience, going to your doctor and beig honest about such side effects will often mean he or she will make an effort to find you a med that gels better with your unique specific needs.
I think someday there will be technology available tht will immediately determine, based on one's personal chemistry, brain function and unique needs, etc exacly what drug and dose that person would do best with. Can't wait for that day.
Just a thought.
Elfie/pea
"Great thinkers often encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds" - Albert Einstein |
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Fairness In Evaluating Medications
