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Suggest Treatment For Schizophrenia
My son age 24 has Schizophrenia, since 19. He has had tow serious infractions as a result both of which were violent. Since the last incident in 2007 he has been on Clozapine (500mg at night and 50mg in the am). He still conversate with other voices but, he really is doing well at controlling them and he has come to terms with his illness. He is in a group home by way of the courts. However, I as his parent am very involved with his care and treatment. I went to the doctor with him on Friday.
My son is very concerned about his weight gain. He is also on Depakote. This new doctor (he has not had a steady doctor in about 2 years) off the cuff wants to put him on Topamax, and it seems because it has somewhat of a mood stablizer but also because it can him lose weight.
I have read up on Topamax and I have not found any thing truly good about this medication and particularly as it relates to someone who already has schizophrenia. I do not feel comfortable with my son switching to topamax and coming off of depakote.
What do you think?
My son is very concerned about his weight gain. He is also on Depakote. This new doctor (he has not had a steady doctor in about 2 years) off the cuff wants to put him on Topamax, and it seems because it has somewhat of a mood stablizer but also because it can him lose weight.
I have read up on Topamax and I have not found any thing truly good about this medication and particularly as it relates to someone who already has schizophrenia. I do not feel comfortable with my son switching to topamax and coming off of depakote.
What do you think?
Mon, 11 Aug 2014
Hi there,
Thanks for writing to us,
Divalproex or Depakote is given additionally with clozapine for it's anticonvulsant properties and also increases efficiency of clozapine. Mood stabilizing property doesn't have a major role to play in treatment of Schizophrenia if there are no accompanying mood symptoms, which is usually the case. Weight gain is a problem which could be a serious side effect of either divalproex or clozapine or both. Topiramate is also an anticonvulsant which has side effects of weight loss. Though it doesn't have an established role, if weight gain is a major concern, it may be tried. The decision should be based on benefit vs risk of divalproex.
Hope this helps,
Dr A Rao
Thanks for writing to us,
Divalproex or Depakote is given additionally with clozapine for it's anticonvulsant properties and also increases efficiency of clozapine. Mood stabilizing property doesn't have a major role to play in treatment of Schizophrenia if there are no accompanying mood symptoms, which is usually the case. Weight gain is a problem which could be a serious side effect of either divalproex or clozapine or both. Topiramate is also an anticonvulsant which has side effects of weight loss. Though it doesn't have an established role, if weight gain is a major concern, it may be tried. The decision should be based on benefit vs risk of divalproex.
Hope this helps,
Dr A Rao
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