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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Will Vistaril Help To Treat Bipolar Disorder?

My son has been tentatively diagnosed as being possible bi-polar. He has been treated for PTSD due to some major family issues. He has been prescribed lithium (3X300) 1 time a day, Risperidone 4 mg 2 tablets once a day. He is complaining of not being able to concentrate and having a hard time remembering things at times. He is a college student and really needs to be able to concentrate to study. (Always was a gifted student in school in the past). He told his doctor about this and he told him to start taking one-to-two of Vistaril every 6 hours. He told my son this would help him with his concentration. From all I have read, this is used to sedate people and NOT to help them concentrate. I need to know if this is correct. I am concerned about his not only studying, but also driving and working. There are times that he seems very "zoned out". Plus, he can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. Please give me some suggestions. (He takes his meds without a problem)
Wed, 7 Jan 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

He has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had PTSD because of some family issues. Now he is on Lithium Carbonate 900 mg, Risperidone 8 mg per day. He is having issues related to concentration and he is not able to study properly. As per my opinion the reason for his poor focus, inability to concentrate is high doses of medicines though detailed evaluation is needed to find out exact cause. He is on 8 mg Risperidone and this dose may cause EPS (extrapyramidal side effects) and sedation. This is probably reason for his symptoms. Hydroxizine or vistaril can help to reduce anxiety but I am afraid the drug will not have much effect in his symptoms. Drugs like THP or trihexyphenidyl should be added to his prescription for improvement of his symptoms. Yes vistaril will increase his sedation only.

For his concentration issues the dose adjustments can be done, reduction of doses may result in improvement of his symptoms. Consult his psychiatrist again and explain about his side effects in detail and for prescription of these drugs.

Thanks, hope this helps you.
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Will Vistaril Help To Treat Bipolar Disorder?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM He has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had PTSD because of some family issues. Now he is on Lithium Carbonate 900 mg, Risperidone 8 mg per day. He is having issues related to concentration and he is not able to study properly. As per my opinion the reason for his poor focus, inability to concentrate is high doses of medicines though detailed evaluation is needed to find out exact cause. He is on 8 mg Risperidone and this dose may cause EPS (extrapyramidal side effects) and sedation. This is probably reason for his symptoms. Hydroxizine or vistaril can help to reduce anxiety but I am afraid the drug will not have much effect in his symptoms. Drugs like THP or trihexyphenidyl should be added to his prescription for improvement of his symptoms. Yes vistaril will increase his sedation only. For his concentration issues the dose adjustments can be done, reduction of doses may result in improvement of his symptoms. Consult his psychiatrist again and explain about his side effects in detail and for prescription of these drugs. Thanks, hope this helps you.