Can someone give me an opinion on this combo of meds

My son is currently  in a state psychiatric hospital well over a week. The psychiatrist has put him on Trazodone, Effexor XR, Vistoril, Seroquel and Depakote. He is a what I call a full blown bipolar. Has a long history. He has been evaluated for possible schizoprenia while currently being the hospital. We do not know the rsults of the psych test that he just took. This seems like a vast amount of meds. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[ILADVOCATE]

Vistoril is for anxiety I believe. Tradazone is an anti-depressent often given as a sleep aide. Effexor is an anti-depressent. Depakoate is a mood stabilizer that works on mania but not as well as on depression which is why an anti-depressent might have been given. Seroquel is an antipsychotic which is an atypical antipsychotic so the side effect profile is safer than what they prescribed him before which was Haldol which is a typical (older generation) antipsychotic and it is more effective as well. See how he does on that combination and if he improves they can gradually reduce the dose of some of the medications he is taking but make sure not to make any changes on your own and if you have concerns be in touch with his psychiatrist instead.

[zzzmykids]

Dear Lynn, I would go to your pharmacist, pharmacologist or another Psych to get a heads up about the drugs interacting and if any have adverse reactions with each other. Not to panic, just do homework with those that have the knowlege of what all the meds together, taken separately or how ever taken are appropriate for your son.


I am living proof that a pharmacist could/can save your life because of how I was taking my meds as of five years ago.
zzzmykids

[Vikkttoorr99]

I'm type 2 bipolar and through several years took from 1 - 14 different medications at the same time (some had to do with counteracting some side effect of another). Different doctors have different reasons for the things they do. From my experience when my brain was injured by episodes, the medications I had to take, and the doses, were quite different than when I was in a more healthy state. The combo that he's on right now is most likely one that will keep him from  getting worse. Frequent evaluation and possible revamping are extremely necessary no matter what "stage" of the illness one is in. Take care

[paranoid_cataclysm]

Well if he has schizophrenia and doesn't actually have any mood disorder they most likely will take him off everything but the antipsychotics since they would be doing more harm than good.  If he has schizoaffective disorder (mood disorder + schizophrenia) then he will probably need to be on an antidepressant, mood stabilizer and antipsychotic all at once and this will help him greatly when he is on the right ones for him.

It's hard to say what medication cocktail will work for him because medications always effect everyone differently and it's basically a hit and miss process to find out what works.

[sydneylou]

I completely agree with corlenbelspar and Vikkttoorr99.

I have taken a variety of different medications and different doses over the last 15 (ugh!) years. I would be really well and then life would happen, my mood would change and my medication was less effective. Sometimes I would try a different drug and the side-effects really bothered me so then I would try something else or a different dose or add something to work in conjunction. Clearly, prescribing medication for mood disorders is an art, not just a science!

When we are hospitalized for mental health reasons, it is because we are very, very sick. Therefore, it is essential for the doctor to stabilize our dysfunctional moods, behaviours and thoughts as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, where meds are concerned, it's a bit of a shot in the dark. There is no one perfect psychiatric drug and thus the quantity your son is having. Often it's trying medications - types, quantities and various doses and then having to wait and see.

I'm sorry I cannot give you a simple response BUT getting your son's mood stabilized may take a variety of drugs so I am not at all surprised by what he is taking.

Sending you and your family caring thoughts. Your son WILL BE OK!