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Suggest Treatment For Schizophrenia

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Posted on Tue, 22 Aug 2017
Question: I am 76 years old. I was having difficulty to go to sleep . A few months back I started taking Restyl every night. I started with 0.25 mg and now I am taking 0.5 mg. I may have become addicted to it. I read on the web that you suggested switching over to Serenese tablets which is not addictive. You wrote that by gradually reducing the dosage one can eliminate taking the pill and yet go to sleep

However when I googled Serenese I found that it is prescribed for schizophrenia which I do not have.

My question is: May I try taking it for few days. Will it have many side effects.

If I ask my doctor about it he will definitely give a verbal thrashing. He does not know that I am taking restyl.

I am not worried about my longevity. But sleeplessness makes it hard to continue living.

Thanking you

Yours sincerely

D.S XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (55 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Sarenace can be used but there are alternatives.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

I can understand your concern. Restyl is a benzodiazepine drug and if used for long without prescription the drug is known to result in dependence and the drug has very high abuse potential.

The alternative you have been told by someone is Sarenace which is Haloperidol and is an antipsychotic drug. The drug helps in sleep and is used by a lot of doctors for sleep aid in psychotic patients. There are many alternatives which can be used for sleep and has no abuse potential.

Amitriptyline, Paroxetine etc are antidepressant drugs and can be utilised for sleep. These are safe to use and are tolerated easily. You can think of taking these drugs. Explain to your doctor for your sleep issues and then discuss about these drugs.

Even if you start Sarenace even than that would not cause any serious side effects. The drug can be used for sleep in low doses.

Thanks and Take care
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5192 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Schizophrenia

Brief Answer: Sarenace can be used but there are alternatives. Detailed Answer: Hello thanks for asking from HCM I can understand your concern. Restyl is a benzodiazepine drug and if used for long without prescription the drug is known to result in dependence and the drug has very high abuse potential. The alternative you have been told by someone is Sarenace which is Haloperidol and is an antipsychotic drug. The drug helps in sleep and is used by a lot of doctors for sleep aid in psychotic patients. There are many alternatives which can be used for sleep and has no abuse potential. Amitriptyline, Paroxetine etc are antidepressant drugs and can be utilised for sleep. These are safe to use and are tolerated easily. You can think of taking these drugs. Explain to your doctor for your sleep issues and then discuss about these drugs. Even if you start Sarenace even than that would not cause any serious side effects. The drug can be used for sleep in low doses. Thanks and Take care