Clopixol?
 

Because I have not been taking my meds lately, and before that I was getting fed up of taking tablets, my psych suggested clopixol (as a depot, not tablets). Has anyone been on clopixol and if so, what was your experience?

Ive been on the tablets, this is zuclopenthixol yeh?

I got took off them because I OD'd on them. I cant really remember except they made me a bit tired and I think i needed procyclidine too. But I was also taking aripirazole.

This page is fairly comprehensive in my opinon (you are going to be given zuclopenthixol decanoate if I'm right, but correct me if I'm wrong):

http://www.medicines.org.uk/EMC/medi...onc+Injection/

Thanks. I am confused about your post Ami though, because mine will be given as an injection, so it will be very hard to OD (as my CPN will be responsible for it, not myself).

I do get muscle stiffness already and am on procyclidine already, so if that side effect does occur, I will just continue taking the procyclidine. From what I understand, injections do cause more muscle stiffness/shaking anyway.

Steel Maiden: yes you are right about it being zuclopenthixol decanoate. I have been given an two sided info sheet but really I would like people's experiences. I have a couple of weeks to decide whether or not I will go on it. (If I decide no, then I will continue on the quetiapine.)

Sorry I misread your post. I was once started on zuclopenthixol decanoate but I only got as far as the test dose (I was in a secure unit at the time) and then I agreed to take meds so got put back on olanzapine), so I'm afraid I cannot share much.

Steel Maiden: dont worry because that link was more detailed than the leaflet I got.

My own suggestion was that I told my CPN it may be better to try it for 6 months, and then review it in 6 months. If after 6 months time I dont like the injections (I hate needles!!) or if I find the side effects horrible, then stop it and return back to the quetiapine (which works when I do take it!). But this is subject to agreement with the psych. But on the other hand I am very wary of trying a new antipsychotic because I had a bad reaction to risperidone, so that is why I have not said yes. I would only try clopixol on the condition that if things go back then rather trying another antipsychotic, I go back onto the quetiapine.

I have an appointment with my psych in about 3 weeks time anyway, so I will see what he says, and then depending on his answer, I will decide either way.

You're welcome. Ok, good luck. Update us when you find out.

Sorry, I was just stating the reason I came off them. I've never had depots before.

i *think* zuclopenthixol is given to people who are more agitated and flupenthixol is given to people who are more apathetic. x

Just a quick note to say that I am trying the clopixol. my psych agreed to try it for 6 months, provided I have no bad reaction to the test dose.

I have my first injection (the test dose) on Monday. At the moment I am ok about it, I suppose I will be bricking it then!

Really hoping it works out well for you.
Let us know ok?
xx

Thanks romperfry. I still havent seen my psych though, but my CPN did speak to him, and said that he was happy with that plan. However by the time I see him I will have had the test dose so at least that is something, so he can still ask me how I feel about the injection!!

Hope it goes well and the depot works :)

Many thanks. What also helps is that my psych has agreed that if for whatever reason it doesnt work out rather than playing about and trying another antipsychotic to go back to the quetiapine. Which is giving me peace of mind and making it easier. I told my CPN before that was worrying me more than the actual injection is if I have a bad reaction (along the lines of what I had with the risperidone), which of course may not happen.

My CPN a couple of weeks ago also showed me the needle and the actual clopixol so that also helped too. Plus she is giving me the injection which is also good because I would rather have her do it than some random stranger. :tongue2:

That's really good. Good luck.

Are you getting the test dose on Monday? How much will that be compared to the normal dose?

Glad that its going to be your CPN, at least its someone you know and trust more than a random!

The test dose is 100 mg. I think the actual proper dose (she did tell me but the voices were interupting me at that point, so I cant remember exactly) is 200 mg initially. Then a month later (I am having monthly injections) it is going to be 300 mg, then the next month it all depends if I need more.

But I am not 100% sure, I will ask her again, as I meant to ask her how long after the test dose do I have the proper dose, and I forgot. But the test dose is definitely 100 mg. Yes I am getting the test dose on Monday for sure, because I said to her (due to my needle fear!) that I wanted it over asap!!

How did it go?

I hope that it goes ok getting your depot today. x My mum has been on a depot (the risperdal consta) and apparently, -don't hold this to me! lol - depot versions of anti psychotics have slightly high efficiencies.

Anyways, good luck. Let us know how it goes =]

Well I had my test dose, which didnt hurt so much as I thought it was going to be!!

Well so far, for ages (I was there for 90 mins and my CPN had to take me home) I felt light headed and had phases of feeling sick, so I spent ages lying down. My CPN had to take my pulse quite a few times and my blood pressure to make sure things werent going bad! But she said my pulse was nice and strong, and it was constant so still. I was shaky going home though. But I know a lot of it was because I was anxious beforehand so much about of this was due to that - my CPN was being extra cautious in case I collapsed. (Which I didnt thankfully, but my needle fear is so bad I have fainted in the past!)

I am not sure when I am not getting the next dose, but I did have 100mg today, and she said that my psych may say that (provided nothing goes bad) on my next appointment (next week) that I should have the next dose that day, which is fine.

Right now, I feel shaky and cold (my CPN explained that it is probably due to adrenaline around my body) and my injection site stings. My CPN had a look at it and says it is nothing to worry about (though she did warn of a possibility of there being a lump appearing the next few days) as it is not showing any bad signs. She did warn me of really bad signs (anaphylactic shock) to be worried about, and if any of then did happen to phone for an ambulance/go to A&E.

So thanks PilotVeteran/Steel Maiden for your messages.

i was on clopixol depot for a year with no problems... wish i hadnt come off it actually!! and you do get used to the needles... i like you used to faint, but after a couple of months it was nothing..

jenx