Atypical neuroleptics

[Guest guest]

Hello Rick,

I am not affiliated with Jannsen and have not spoken to

Jannsen drug reps. I have been a DLB care giver for nearly 9 years now, mostly

24/7 and advising and educating DLB care givers.

As far as quetiapine, (Seroquel) is concerned, I haven’t had any personal

experience with the medication or with People with Parkinson’s Disease (PPD).

Regarding the question about quetiapine (Seroquel) being the “Gold Standard,” I

don't know. The National Institutes of Health says, “The medicine has not been

approved to treat behavioral problems in older adult patients who have

dementia,” It lists side effects as:

“Along with its needed effects, quetiapine can sometimes cause serious

side effects. Some side effects will have signs or symptoms that you can see or

feel. Your doctor may watch for others, such as changes in the lenses of the

eyes, by doing certain tests. Tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder) may occur

and may not go away after you stop using the medicine. Signs of tardive

dyskinesia include fine, worm-like movements of the tongue, or other

uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, or arms and legs.

Another serious but rare side effect that may occur is the neuroleptic malignant

syndrome (NMS). You and your doctor should discuss the good this medicine will

do as well as the risks of taking it.”

You can view this article online at:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/203124.html

I believe there are lawsuits pending against Seroquel, Risperdal and other

medications. However, I haven’t had personal experience with Seroquel and if I

haven’t had personal experience with a medication, I won’t give my opinion about

it. I do know that it’s an atypical neuroleptic and many of the care givers who

post here are very happy with the results. As far as I’m concerned, any

atypical neuroleptic or for that matter, any drug that provides relief to a DLB

patient is great! We need to take any gains we can get when dealing with this

disease.

The point I have been trying to make for several days, (apparently with

little success, judging from the recent posts and the ratcheting up of the

rhetoric), is that no single medication is totally GOOD or totally BAD. Every

individual is different and reacts differently to each medication, even varying

with the progression of the disease. Blanket condemnation of a particular drug

is not in the best interest of DLB patients or care givers, especially when the

drug is being used safely and effectively by DLB patients. I think the above

drug warning from the Nation Institutes of Health about Seroquel brings home the

point I have been trying to make for several days. All drugs, including

quetiapine (Seroquel) and Risperdal have similar possible side effects. That

doesn’t mean they can’t be an effective and safe medication for DLB patients.

I have to agree 100% with when she said, “This is not a black

and white issue.” My sentiments exactly!

Ms. and Mr. Throop,

My informal amateur research seems to indicate that quetiapine is the

safety gold standard when it comes to PDD. That has certainly been

the case with my father and it sounds like others here as well.

You both sound like your are care giving professionally. Is that

right? Also, are you affiliated with Jannsen or have you spoken to

Jannsen drug reps? Just curious.

-Rick

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