Episode 18 - Rethinking Clozapine: Should it be the First Resort to Treat Schizophrenia?

In this episode, we talk meds with an MD. Specifically: Clozapine. Many of us are told that it’s the “last resort” medication, “when nothing else works”. Is that really true? Guest : Robert S Laitman, MD, is an internal medicine physician at Bronx Westchester Medical Group in New York. Over the last 10 years, he has developed a practice taking care of people with psychotic disorders after his son, Daniel, received a diagnosis of schizophrenia in 2006. Dr Laitman, his family, and his colleague authored the book, "Clozapine: Meaningful Recovery from Schizophrenia." He has been named Congratulations for being named Clinician Extraordinaire by SARDAA (now called: Schizophrenia and Psychosis Action Alliance) We talk about: 1. Why do you say clozapine should be the drug used first? Why isn’t it? 2. Why is clozapine used more in other countries compared to the United States? Why isn’t it marketed more here? 3. Why does clozapine take so long to fully kick in (a year in some cases) compared to other antipsychotics? Your son continues to improve, even after being on it for 9 years. In what ways does he improve? 4. How does clozapine can benefit patients, besides addressing the classic symptoms of schizophrenia, e.g., suicidality, illicit drug use, smoking. 5. Mitigating predictable side effects - e.g., weight gain, salivation, sedation. (Med therapy management and how it works) 6. We need Engagement, Access, Treatment, Support 7. What can families do, to advocate for their loved ones to get best treatment? What should practitioners know, and do? What can families do? Educate yourself about clozapine and talk with your loved one’s psychiatrist. Links and explanations: TeamDanielRunningForRecovery.org Clozapine facebook page Team Daniel facebook page SZ 3 Moms Facebook page Get on the mailing list: [email protected] Dr. Laitman’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/MEANINGFUL-REC... A nephrologist is a type of doctor that specializes in treating diseases of the kidney New finger-prick Point-of-service test Psychiatrists were once referred to as Alienists - Psych. Today article Clozapine facebook page Team Daniel facebook page SZ 3 Moms Facebook page Get on the mailing list: [email protected] Dr. Laitman’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/MEANINGFUL-REC... A nephrologist is a type of doctor that specializes in treating diseases of the kidney New finger-prick Point-of-service test Psychiatrists were once referred to as Alienists - Psych. Today article Deborah Levy was director of the Psychology Research Laboratory at McLean Hospital and an associate professor of psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, “Dr. Levy’s work had a major impact on our understanding of schizophrenia. In a landmark study based on her dissertation, she examined vestibular responsivity (manifested as an individual’s functional awareness of the position and motion of their body’s parts) in patients with schizophrenia.” Nuplazid Gene at risk for schizophrenia: “The gene, called C4 (complement component 4), sits in by far the tallest tower on schizophrenia’s genomic “skyline” (see graph below) of more than 100 chromosomal sites harboring known genetic risk for the disorder” NICE :National Institute of health Care Excellence (UK) Treatment Advocacy Center Cure SZ Quotes: “Dr. Laitman...basically returned my son to me.” - Mimi “I would revise the HIPAA laws to where they would be liable if they did NOT cooperate and talk to the parent. I always talk to the parent.” - Dr. Laitman “Why not use the best available medicine, give the best support - the wraparound services that you need - and voila, a lot of these kids get dramatically better - and the longer you stay at it, the better that they will get.” - Dr. Laitman “We’re trying to ‘stop the insanity’ in the system, so we can stop the psychosis in our loved ones, and there’s a lot of work to do” - Randye Who are the 3 moms? Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”) Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It” Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)