Cogentin Vs. Other Beta Blockers

[gizmo]

I'm taking Cogentin 2mg at night because my Zyprexa Zydis 15mg is giving me restless legs when I try to sleep. The problem is that the Cogentin only stops the restless legs half the time. The other half, I have to take a xanax to chill out so the jerking around will stop. It's so awful.

So how does Cogentin work compared to artane and the beta blockers? I mean, am I on the best anti-akathisia med already, or do I still have hope that there is something out there that will work for me?

[Silver]

Cogentin is actually an anti-parkinsonian medication; it has elements of diphenydramine and atropine both in it. Atropine is an anticholinergic.

Benadryl (diphenydramine) is an antihistamine.

Beta-blockers are antihypertensive drugs and work in a very different way. They work well on akathisia, can work on RLS, don't do anything for parkinsonian changes, will not do jack for tardive dyskinesia (not to be too technical about it.) Propranolol and metoprolol are the ones usually used. If you are trying to address anxiety as well, these may be a "two-fer" drug for you. However, if you have severe asthma, they may not be on your options list.

Antihistamines can help with akathisia, as well as with anxiety.

Anticholinergics (atropine and Artane) are very helpful with the parkinsonian movement effects of APs and helpful with the acute dystonias. Some people report increased restlessness with them, however, and they can make one a bit loopy.

Benzodiazepines can help with both RLS and EPS, including akathisia.

This looks like a handy book.

Does that get you started?

there was a really, really good article on this about 10 years ago. If I can find it, I'll put up a link.

eta: aha. Here's the abstract for the article. No fulltext, sorry.

[lluvia_z]

I took more cogentin than that when I was on haldol and it took care of the akathisia really well but then I had side effects from the cogentin. Namely blurry vision and other, more embarassing stuff. I couldn't read ANYTHING. Newspapers looked like smooth grey papers. I couldn't make out any letters at all. So I think you could still go up on the cogentin, but I think you would be trading one set of side effects for another at that point. Wish I could be more helpful, giz.

good luck to you, keep us posted.

--da lluv