Okay to use Prolixin for a teen w/ schizophrenia?

Question

For a teen with early onset of schizophrenia (15 yo) and has tried Risperdal, Zyprexa and Seroquel but has not been effective. Is Prolixin a good choice?

Answer 1

Only a qualified physician who has been treating the teen can make the decision whether it is appropriate/ok or not.

Answer 2

It depends somewhat on what symptoms of Schizophrenia has. Prolixin and Haldol are really good at treating hallucination, delusions, and agitation. The newer meds also treat some of the negative symptoms like isolating. Clozaril would be the usual next step after trying those meds. Prolixin and Haldol do work but they have a high incidence of side effects. Some people can tolerate those side effects with additional meds, some people have a permanent effect called tarditive dyskinesia, even after they start the med. Things to consider: make sure the highest dose was tried on the other meds? is an injectable med needed? Is mood lability a major problem? What are realistic goals for this teen? A mood stabilizer with antipsychotic may be a good choice, like Depakote. If the teen had any response to Risperdal, Risperdal Consta with another antipsychotic, like Clozaril may be a good option. The Consta gives a more stable amount of medicine because it is given as an injection every two weeks.

Answer 3

I've used all the medicine at one time or other. I've found the medicine Stelazine to be one of the most effective with fewer side effects. Prolixin caused me to have asthma attacks, particularly at night when I was lying down. Everyone is different and their response to the meds are different. If the patient doesn't have asthma Prolixin is certainly worth considering.

There is nothing wrong with Prolixin and the price is certainly right compared to Risperdal, Zyprexa and Seroquel.

A medicine to consider skipping in the search for a more successful medicine is Haldol. Be very weary of it.

One thing that is an absolute with antipsychotics is if the person skips doses they will be worse off and have more symptoms than they were when they were untreated. No antipsychotic works unless it is taken religiously as prescribed. For non-conformers who can't take the med as prescribed there are shots that the doctor can administer once or twice a month which can be life changing.

Generally it is a case of skipping doses that makes medicine ineffective as opposed to what is referred to as 'treatment resistant Schizophrenia" which does indeed exist.

If the patient does have treatment resistant Schizophrenia the doctor will eventually move the person on to a medicine called Clozaril which will call for monitoring by blood tests.

Always wait 6 weeks after being put on medicine before deciding how effective it is and before choosing another.

Prolixin doesn't come with a black label warning against it as does Seroquel, Risperdal and Zyprexa. A black label warning is an FDA warning about increased risk of death.

Answer 4

It sounds logical to me.
Prolixin is a drug that has been used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia. It's an older drug. They tried some of the newer drugs (Risperidol, Zyprexa, Seroquel) without success, so it seems reasonable that an older drug like Prolixin might be the next option.

Answer 5

That is a good question, I think you should explain that do your Mental Health doctor cause thats the best solution to your problem, it's alright to hear from other people.