does anyones loved one take this. I wonder why Mom was put on that instead of Airicept, Namenda or something else.....any feedback, pls?
ZOEY M

My husband Bill was put on this (1.5 mg) to help him relax and get ready for a good nights sleep. We loved it, however, Secure Horizons will pay for all (over $300?) except $160. With all of his other medication, I can't afford this at this time. They've switched him to Haladol(sp). But Bill is on Aricept also. The Risperdal helped his anxiety and hallucinations in the late afternoon and seemed to be the best medication for him.
Just remember, not everyone can take the same thing (medications). Is your Mom not reacting well or developing more symptoms?
I believe the Aricept & Namenda help some of the symptoms of AD and the Risperdal helps entirely different issues.
I'm not sure if I am entirely correct, but I hope someone else will reply if I'm not. "Twice Blessed" is very knowledgeable (posts a lot of information on this site) and hopefully will be able to point you in the right direction.

Prayers to you!
Judy

My mom has been on Risperdal for a year along with Aricept and just recently namenda was added.

Her Dr. prescribed it because she was having awful, awful delusions/hallucinations especially at night. A year ago she was on .5 mg now she is up to 2 mg.

It seems like it works for a bit but then she gets bad again so the dose increases and she is OK for a time then it increases again.

But it does work. I just don't know how a dose she can go up to in the future.

ZOEY , Aricept, Nemenda are totally different from Resperdal or Seroquel. The first two are given in the hope of slowing down the progression of AD, the last two are antisychotics and are given to AD patients who suffer from hallucinations, delusions or other behavioral problems. My mom tried resperdal 2x and she reacted badly to it. It made her very hyper. Seroquel seems to work a little better for her. She takes it more for sundowning then anything else.
Filomena

Zoey, the following is the article related to our discussion in Chat last night:

HEALTH NEWS

FDA Rejects Risperdal as Alzheimer's Disease Treatment
Contributed by Carla Sharetto| 26 May, 2005 20:36 GMT



Risperdal is an antipsychotic already approved by the FDA for the treatment of schizophrenia. Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C., today announced it has received a not approvable letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding a Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for the use of Risperdal (risperidone) in the treatment of psychosis of Alzheimer's disease.
Recognizing that the unmet need in this area is great, J&J said, it is evaluating the FDA's letter and will determine appropriate next steps.

Risperdal is an antipsychotic already approved by the FDA for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Please ask the doctor why she is NOT on any AD meds, Zoey! Certainly she should have been placed on at least Namenda. It benefits even in the later stages.

And a drug recall alert:

Home > Legal News > Drug Recall Alerts > Risperdal not approved for Alzheimers Risperdal not approved for Alzheimers
FDA issues “not approvable” letter to Johnson & Johnson; Risperdal cannot be marketed as a treatment for psychosis in Alzheimer’s patients - 5/26/05
Johnson & Johnson announced to shareholders today that it had received a “not approvable” letter from the US Food and Drug Administration denying its request to market its schizophrenia drug Risperdal as a treatment for psychosis in Alzheimer’s patients.

Risperdal competes with Eli Lilly’s Zyprexa, AstraZenaca Plc’s Seroquel, Pfizer Inc.’s Geodon and Bristol-Meyers Squibb Co.’s Abilify. To boost market share, companies seek to win approval for additional indications for their drugs. Risperdal is approved as a treatment for bipolar disorder, or manic depression, as well as schizophrenia. Any indication of a drug for a use not approved by the US FDA is considered an “off-label” use.

Source: “FDA Won’t OK Risperdal,” Reuters.com, May 26, 2005.
Defective Drugs
In the United States, the drug approval process is designed to thoroughly research and test new drugs before approval for sale to the public. In some instances, however, drugs have been approved that need to be withdrawn from the market at a later date. In some situations, companies may have failed to disclose these dangers, even though they knew the risks associated with their drugs. An individual encountering this situation may want to consult with an experienced drug recall lawyer.

quote:

Originally posted by ZOEY M:
does anyones loved one take this. I wonder why Mom was put on that instead of Airicept, Namenda or something else.....any feedback, pls?
ZOEY M

My MIL was on aricept but while on it she exhibited off the scale behavorial problems, hollering,screaming, very agitated and combative. Her doctor placed her on risperdal and started out with just 1mg but had to increase to 2mg. It helps her to sleep and deal with the hallucinations and has quited her down a lot.

Please understand, these are two different classes of meds. Resperdal is an anti-psyc. drug for agitiaion. Aricept is to slow AD progression.

TB,,,I just saw this post, can you believe it?
thx....zoey

My husband couldnt AND WOULDNT take anything because they all made him sick, so I ENDED UP .... NO TABLETS, NOTHING AND AT LEAST HE HAD A GOOD APPETITE AND WAS PUTTING ON WEIGHT AGAIN IT WAS BETTER LIKE THAT THAN LIVING WITH SOMEBODY WHO WOULDNT EAT AND WAS ASLEEP MOST OF THE TIME...

quote:

Originally posted by ZOEY M:
does anyones loved one take this. I wonder why Mom was put on that instead of Airicept, Namenda or something else.....any feedback, pls?
ZOEY M

TB is correct about the Namenda and Aricept. Something to try and slow down the progression. Linda is on both and the last MRI showed no change at this time, although, there has been considerable regression mentally and emotionally in the last six months.
For her behavior issues Risperdal was used in addition to Lorazepam because in my observation the Lorazepam did nothing. After starting Risperdal she began to drool, shuffle, and I couldn't understand anything she said anymore. (She is quite difficult to understand anyway.) I stopped administering and in about a week or two she was back to normal? I attempted to give half of the dose but I didn't see any change. It's strange that I came across this forum when I came home from the drugstore and told them to cancel my Risperdal order. Grit

quote:

Risperdal

worked wonders for my father. His hallucinations and paranoia stopped. I have heard a lot of stories about the drug, enough to see that it is not for everyone. All I can say is it was what worked for my father. Aracept did nothing and Namenda was not available at that time.

I do have one note to add to this....this past fri. nite, mom did NOT take the Risperdal and about 11:30 she was yelling up the steps for her Mom (who died in 1956).....Mom...Mom are you going to sleep down here on the sofa near me? It scared me at 1st, but remembered that she forgot that one med......maybe if they miss one dose, things happen.......and then Thanksgiving morn, I heard her downstairs around 6am.....so I went down...she was completely dressed and 2 bags on sofa....I said Mom why are you up so early? she replied " when the train stops, I get off at the next stop"....yes, this was a little freaky, but I said, You don't have to get off, Mom.....stay here with me....., so I sat with her awhile. zoey

After a psychotic episode in Jul05, my husband's neuro prescribed Risperdal. It effectively "conquered" the hallucinations and delusions, but left him a slumped over, drooling lump in a chair. Still, ignorant of the alternatives, I kept him on the drug until we changed neuros. The new doc immediately stopped the Risperdal (no weaning off) and started Seroquel. For my husband, it was like the difference between night and day! New doc said "possible" side effects of Risperdal were Parkinsons-like symptoms. Much better results for us with Seroquel 25mg/day at night.

I understand why all the confusion. Some medications do not work for everyone. My husband takes Namenda at night, Resperdal and Excelon in the daytime. He has slowed down tremendously since adding the Resperdal, he can hardly move his feet in the mornings. So if this is what is needed to slow down the loved one, it is great. My husband just was and still is very confused in am and after 6 pm. Seems when he takes all the medications it helps, he is very tired. I am not sure at this point what is best for him. I however press our physician for the answers since he is the one who is qualified to answer.

Neurologist or Phychiatrist????? Namenda or Risperdal? ? ? Im a bit overwhelmed at this point....Mom's right hand tremors are new (the last month) and she shifts weight from rt. foot then left foot (only a half inch off ground) but its enough to concern me.....she was so quiet today, I mentioned my Dad, she went into a rage.....beating her chest and crossing her eyes....it scared me to death....really....
I hate Alzheimers.... ZOEY M

also::::can Namenda be taken alone or does it have to be with Airicept? Thx...

Thank you all....for your feedback.....I need your support....Blessings to all.....

ZOEY M

quote:

Originally posted by ZOEY M:
does anyones loved one take this. I wonder why Mom was put on that instead of Airicept, Namenda or something else.....any feedback, pls?
ZOEY M

My husband was put on respiridal last year for 10 days. It made him crazy. The Aracept and Namanda didn't help much either but didn't do damage as the resperidol did. The only thing he takes now besides tylenol is trazadone to alleviate anxiety.

Thx EAH....Mom has been off Risperdal since Wed. but she has a scarey look in her eyes, and can't keep still, twitching right hand and breaths hard even sitting now.....I heard it takes 3 wks. to get out of system.....thx for feedback everyone........ZOEY M

ps: Im so afraid her hallucinations and phychosis will return........she can't sit still. Nervous all the time.........? ?

Hi Zoey,

Risperdal's indicated use's per the prescribing information is for schizophrenia, Bi-Polar Mania and Irritability associated with Autism in Pediatric patients. There is a black boxed warning on this class of medications not to be used in the elderly with dementia related issues due to increased mortality. It is not approved for psychosis in Alzheimer's Disease or other related dementias. Go to their website or call the 800 number for further information. My mother's Neurologist ordered Zyprexa for anxiety and I told him no way, that is out of the question! Cara

Cara, I deeply appreciate the loving, helpful place from which your advice flows. You might be interested in a different perspective?

Alzheimer's is a 100% fatal disease. It destroys quality of life, before it takes our life. I'm interested in prolonging the relatively good condition that I'm in. For myself, and many other AD patients, one of the unapproved for AD, new generation anti-psychotics - Seroquel - is why I'm at home, still enjoying my house and my wife's company. That is no exaggeration.

When looking up the actual risk of being killed by Seroquel, I discovered that it is just under one in ten. I'll take those odds in a heartbeat, because I prefer not being a confused, angry thing that can't stay home. (Bad sundowner sometimes, what else can I say?)

Please ask me any questions you might have, I welcome the discussion.

Thank you for your reply. I had to say good-bye to My Mother before she succumbed to AD in October. I lost her before she finally slipped away into the spirit world. Prior to her death, I clung to any shred of hope I could find in order to bring her back to the place in life she had been. A brilliant, talented, productive, giving, effervescent and beautiful woman had drowned by the swells of the sea taking her pride and mind. I watched a person who resembled My Mother enter her soul. I was willing to use any means to recapture her youth and wisdom. I was so in love with My Mother, I began to drown with her. My Mother was my lifeline to this mortal world. Without her, I believed there was no world for me. The loss of My Mother was greatest fear in life since I was a child. My doctor ordered Seroquel for me to help me sleep and calm my anxiety. I struggle with insomnia and nightmares due to my grief. I am aware that Seroquel is in the process of seeking approval for its off-labeled use for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and it has helped me rest. If my post gave the impression that I am contrary to the use of medication that is off label, then the expression of my thoughts are unclear. If an individual obtains relief, improvement and their quality of life enhanced, then go for it. The essence of life is in the quality of the days ahead. This is the reason for my post about Benzodiapine’s and Tramadol. When a person loses their capability to make sound decisions, it falls into the hands of their appointed loved ones. No matter how book smart that person may be, they are always tortured by the uncertainty of the choice they make in trying to be kind. I advocate for wisdom and knowledge in finding the most suitable treatment for their fading family member whatever that may be. I support anything that helps provide peace of mind and a brighter outlook for the future that tomorrow brings. Cara

I am at the point if my Dr. say's there's a change it might help that I would try anything.I live in a strange world now and when I think of the things I wanted to do. I know I may not be able to. I guess it's the not knwing how long we have is the worse. Yesterday my husband and I went to run errands and I said we forgot to go to the bank, he said we did go. I remember the other places we went but not the bank. Does this happen to anyone else? I get this strange feeling when this happens.

Sharon

Thanks, Cara. Medication is perhaps the most complicated, controversial part of the dementias.

Sharon, I asked my primary care doctor about my future, and he said that I should not think about my future, and instead work on staying in the here and now. Gee, thanks, doc, you really know how to cheer a guy up . . .

Odd gaps in memory, like going four places, but not remembering, completely losing, say, the third place? Oh yeah, got that one down about 2 years ago. I've had to learn not to ask my wife's oncologist questions without checking with her, as I lose whole consultations he's had with her, that I attended.

My memory problems continue to get worse. But, for me the worst part is the fear of losing myself. I have little amnesia episodes, often identified by some odd thing I do & have no memory of. I'm afraid I'm spending more & more time gone, sundowned, and that one day I'll never come back, never be me again.

My mother in law is going through an awful time right now with her dementia. In and out of nursing homes now in hospital in an adult behavior unit. Hopefully the Dr.s can find a combo of meds to calm her down. Chronic tingling through out her body which makes her very restless. Anxiety, depression, and very scared. nightmares, delusional at times.
When we get there she seems to calm. We massage her to give here relief of the tingling when were there. Was told it might be due to the high anxeity but I think its the meds. Whos been in this situation with their family member.,

quote:

Chronic tingling through out her body which makes her very restless. Anxiety, depression, and very scared. nightmares, delusional at times.

This is interesting! It sometimes happens that people with what by all accounts have Alzheimer's, also have a peripheral neuropathy. Like me. I have tingling, and also pain mixed with the tingling. Some organs are affected, too, especially digestion.

When we get nonverbal, pain & discomfort can come out looking like anxiety and depression, and cause nightmares etc.

Just a thought, probably nothing to it.