inositol info from Dr. Fred Penzel

[Guest guest]

Dr.

Dr. Fred Penzel reported on his experience with patients on inositol for the OC

Foundation newsletter:

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OCD Newsletter, April 1997, page 5:

Dear Editor,

In your last newsletter (Feb. 1997), an article by Dr. Lorrin M.Koran mentioned

the use of Inositol as another approach to treating OCD. Inositol is one of the

B vitamins, and can be obtained at any health-food store. I am writing to you

because people are no doubt going to begin taking it, and I am concerned that

because Dr. Koran gave no details about this non-prescription treatment, there

is a potential for its misuse. At our clinic, we have been using Inositol for

the last seven months, and have some experience and information we would like to

share as follows:

1. Even though this is a non-prescription item, don't take it without first

consulting your physician. If they do not appear to know about it, have them

look at the literature. Nothing works for everyone -- there are no guarantees.

We are getting reports of improvement from about 60 percent of the patients

taking it. It appears to help depression, anxiety, and OCD.

2. We are using 18 grams of Inositol powder as the maximum dosage, as it was the

ceiling established in the Israeli study -- we are recommending that patients

don't exceed it. If this level doesn't work for you, going beyond it probably

won't make a difference, but may lead to an increased possibility of side

effects. We have seen some people improve on as little as 2 grams, with others

needing up to the maximum dosage. As it is unclear what dosage levels should be

for children and adolescents, we have taken a go-slow approach with lower

dosages for them. We have had adolescents taking up to 18 grams however, with no

problems reported.

3. The most commonly reported side effects are diarrhea and intestinal gas. Not

everyone gets these, and sometimes where they do occur, they seem to subside

within a few days. If you experience these effects, reduce the dosage to a level

where these subside. Taking it with meals seems to help some people.

4. In the first week, our patients begin by taking one level measuring teaspoon

twice a day (one level teaspoon is equal to slightly more than 2 grams)

dissolved in juice. The second week, they increase to one teaspoon three times

per day. They then build up by one-half teaspoon per dose each week. Thus, the

third week they would take 1.5 teaspoons, three times per day. They may then

build up to the maximum dosage, which is three teaspoons, three times per day.

[note: potency varies with brand --]

5. Be sure to divide it into three doses -- taking it all at once can promote

the side effects mentioned above.

6. Don't look for instant results. It may take several weeks to see any effect,

although some have responded within two weeks.

7. It appears safe to take with prescription medications, and there are thus far

no reports anywhere of harmful interactions. Although we haven't encountered

this situation yet, we are currently trying to find out if Inositol powder is

safe for diabetics, as its molecule is chemically similar to the sugar molecule.

Again, be sure to check with your physician before taking anything new.

Fred Penzel, Ph.D.

Psychologist

Western Suffolk Psychological Services

Huntington, New York