Hello Vijaya,

A disclaimer:  I don't recommend or endorse SZ meds of any kind, for two reasons:  I'm not a big fan of drug company ethics, and the drug I'm on might not work equally well for someone else who tries it.  Different people have different responses to the same drug.

Sometimes, when the question is asked, I will comment on the drug I'm taking.  I'm not paid by any drug company to endorse their product and I would NEVER take drug company money.

What I can tell you:  I'm on 200 mg of Geodon per day, 120 in the morning and 80 at night, both doses with food so that the drug will be effective.  You can't take it on an empty stomach and will ideally take it with at least 200 calories.

The Geodon gave me my life back.  I'm more alert in the morning to the point of waking up an hour or two earlier.  For 20 years when I was on the Stelazine, I was fatigued in the morning and late to work for nearly every job I had.

So far, I've had no side effects from the Geodon and no weight gain either.  I will be taking this drug as long as it continues to halt my symptoms, which have virtually disappeared and are so infrequent as to not disrupt my life anymore.

Any atypical or other antipsychotic, and any medication used to treat a mental illness, needs to be evaluated periodically to see if it's still working, if the dose needs to be changed, or if a switch to a different medication would yield better results.

I was on one drug [the Stelazine] for 20 years and then it stopped working.  It is possible that my chemistry changed, and this is something that could happen with your son later on, even much later in his treatment.

That is why I always recommend finding a great psychiatrist who knows his or her stuff and is on top of the latest treatments for SZ.

Lastly, I believe that if a drug is working effectively and halts or stops the symptoms, it is possible to take it long-term.  Every drug, even cholesterol drugs or blood pressure drugs, could have side effects if taken long-term.  That is without a doubt.

Even if someone has residual SZ symptoms or breakthrough symptoms, staying on some form of SZ meds will result in a better outcome.  I wouldn't recommend someone discontinue an SZ drug because it seems like it's not working.  I would talk with the psychiatrist openly and honestly about what's going on so the person and the doctor could analyze other options and initiate changes in the drug routine if necessary.

Lastly, I know people who have been on Geodon since it first came out six or seven years ago.  We may find with time that new side effects are presented with the Geodon simply because the drug hasn't been used long-term [10, 20 years] by most people on it.

All things being equal, even with potential risks, I choose to take the Geodon and will continue to take it for as long as it helps me.

A person diagnosed with SZ will have to take some form of SZ meds for the rest of their life.  Later in life, like in their sixties, the dose could possibly be lowered for some people.

p.s. - Not everyone sees all their symptoms go away.  In the cases where residual symptoms persist, cognitive therapy in conjuction with a support group and the use of coping skills and techniques can be of benefit.

Best regards,

Christina