 |
 |
At the time Margaret was prescribed Clozaril, it was a drug that was used primarily for experimental treatment of schizophrenia. She didn't have this, but she did have a medicine-induced dementia (from Artane). This provided enough of an excuse for her medico who was well aware of the beneficial 'side-effects' of Clozaril which had been noted to relieve dyskinesia, to call in a psychiatrist who was able to place Margaret on the experimental programme and prescribe the drug. Margaret has since managed to discontinue the Artane (no easy task by the way) and is now taking the Clozaril only because of it's 'side-effects' Clozaril is still tightly controlled mainly, I think, because a certain proportion( ~5%) of those having it develop bone marrow problems (?agranulosis -sp?). Margaret has to have regular blood tests, weekly at first but now monthly, and the Clozaril is not released by the Canberra Hospital pharmacy until the results are in the hands of the Clozaril programme coordinator. Other neurologists have expressed admiration of our doctors' resourcefulness in getting Margaret onto the programme which, incidentally, involves no cost to us. Regards, Mark, (CG for Margaret 65/27 yrs) ~~~~~~~~~~~~ At 22:10 14/04/97 -0400, Bob & Joy Graham wrote: >Mark Atyeo wrote: >>Margaret has been on Clozaril now for over two years. She takes it solely >>to alleviate her dyskinesia, but has not been able to tolerate >>more than 100 mg nightly. ...It has nevertheless, helped her dyskinesia; > >Mark, this is indeed good news about Clozapine. I am curious, how did you >manage to get this prescribed for her -- I didn't think this drug was >available for PWP in Australia. Can you tell my which neurologist >prescribed it and where you get it from. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mark Atyeo 51 Alexander Mackie Circuit Isaacs, 2607 Australia +61 6 286 2606 Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like an apple.