Posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2005, at 14:16:04
In reply to Haldol experiences?, posted by yesac on November 3, 2005, at 12:31:52
Hi Y
If you keep the dose low, haloperidol may be useful. High doses are likely to be both unpleasant and unhelpful.
Haloperidol (Haldol, Serenace) is a very potent neuroleptic. Respect the fact that a small increase in dose may have profound effects.
>So far I've taken 2 doses of 1mg each. I don't feel any different or any noticible effects.
I'd stay at that dose for a while if I were you. *Don't* be tempted to increase the dose too quickly!
Haloperidol (at low doses) may be less sedating than Seroquel. Chlorpromazine (Largactil, Thorazine) is more helpful than haloperidol for sleep. Chlorpromazine is extremely cheap.
Except in the minority of patients who respond better to classical neuroleptics than atypical APs, haloperidol is generally suitable for short term treatment only. The risk of tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder - often permanent) is unacceptably high in the long term. The miniumum effective dose should be used for the shortest possible time, preferably less than 3 months in young people or 4 weeks in the elderly. I'd recommend that you switch back to Seroquel as soon as your as able to afford it.
You could start out by taking 1mg haloperidol per day. Increase the dose in steps of 0.5mg every few weeks. Be sure to have an anticholinergic drug available in case of acute EPS eg. akathisia (severe motor restlessness) or dystonia (muscle spasm, often involving the mouth, face or neck).
If you decide to take chlorpromazine, an initial dose of 10mg three times a day may be suitable. Avoid the temptation to increase the dose rapidly if the initial dose is ineffective. The dose must always be increased gradually in small steps.
>It seems to help with agitation, sleep, mood stabilization. It just helps me feel a little more calm and chilled out.
Are you sure you need an antipsychotic? Depakote or Trileptal might be effective (for agitation and mood stabilisation) if you suffer from bipolar disorder. In the long term, these drugs *may* be safer than Seroquel. Zolpidem (Ambien) or eszopiclone (Lunesta) could be effective for sleep.
Haloperidol and chlorpromazine have the advantage of being extremely cheap. Until you regain prescription coverage, they might be a useful short term measure.
Be sure to reduce your Seroquel dose gradually in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms or a relapse.
Kind regards
Ed
poster:ed_uk
thread:574968
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051031/msgs/575011.html