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Fanapt: Hope or Hype?

Early next year Vanda Pharmaceutical's schizophrenia drug Fanapt (generic: Iloperidone) will hit the pharmacy shelves. Could it be the first third-generation atypical? It blocks a different combination of neurotransmitters than earlier antipsychotics. The company says Fanapt targets a more relevan...
11/ 5/09 5:12am

Christina,

 

You are fortunate that you received help quickly. That definately has made a difference in your life.

 

I wasn't. I have been on many meds over the years, some made me gain weight, others made me "dance". Truth be told that not one med ever took away the voices.

 

The is also a new shot coming out soon. It is made by the same people that make the shot I'm on now. My pdoc has assured me that it would be okay to take. I am tron because I feel good with the meds I'm on now. Isn't the old saying "if it works don't fix it" hold true?

 

I am going to give the new shot a try. If I feel myself slipping I will ask to go back.

 

I am also here today because of my strict manner of taking my meds, everyday at the same time, holidays included.

 

Take care,

 

Dave

11/ 7/09 9:26pm

I had not heard of Fanapt before, but I did read through the prescribing information and it doesn't seem to me that enough studies have been done.  I would not feel comfortable switching from Zyprexa to Fanapt because many of the side effects I don't like are frequent in both.  And at one point in the information it said 9% of the people in one study gained a significant amount of weight; yet at another point it said a frequent side effect is decreased weight....?  And the QT-wave prolongation is something I couldn't risk because the electrical activity in my heart has already slowed in the last 4 years.  In fact, this week I was put on a 24-hr heart monitor, will have an echocardiogram Monday, and then a nuclear stress test on the 17th.  But the cardiologist says he doesn't think it is a side effect of any of the meds I am taking.  At least that is good...

 

I am still looking for the miracle drug, I guess, just like everyone else.

 

Carolyn

4/ 8/10 2:38pm

My son will be strating fanapt tomorrow, he is currently on zyprexa.  I hope and pray this will work.  The zyprexa has been working for him, but his doctor feels it's time to give something else a try, because he has been on this for 8 years.  I will keep you updated on how the new med's go.  It's really nice to hear from all of you with this illness, sometimes I feel so alone, like nobody understands.  Keep us all updated.   Thanks!!!

4/ 8/10 9:10pm

Hi Margie,

 

I hope your son does well with the Fanapt.

 

I and I'm sure other community members here would like to hear how the Fanapt works for your son and any side effects or improvements.

 

We would love to know about other options.

 

Regards,

Christina

5/ 8/10 9:14pm

My sister started Fanapt a few weeks ago.  She had been on Zyprexa for many years with only some success.  She still suffered from hallucinations and was paranoid.  The Fanapt is causing her some dizziness.  Time will tell whether it will help her.  I often wonder if the psychiatrists are paid by the pharmacological companies to prescribe these medications.  As a RN and LCSW, with many years of experience in the mental health field, I have seen to much to trust completely.

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