Starting Saphris

[netsavy006]

I went to see my pdoc today for my "crisis" appt as set by my tdoc and I told him everything that has been going on, and he gave me a sample and a script for the medication Saphris.

It's currently a temporary medication until we get the Lithium level, but it is possible the medication could be a permanent medication add on depending on how I do and the Li Levels.

Here are just a few basic questions I have:

1. How do you take it around the other meds that you have to take?

2. What are the general side effects that those currently on Saphris are experiencing?

3. How can you "tolerate" the bitter taste from the medication better? (whether using or not using the flavored tasting version)

Thanks,

Andy.

[humanoid]

My suggestion for the taste is to buy crystal light packets and pour some on your tongue, then stick the saphris under your tongue. That's how I did it when I was taking saphris. The crystal light is really intense in flavor, too, so it kind of overwhelms the tastebuds.

[Cetkat]

1. I take it at night alongside those meds. I swallow the others and then take the Saphris.

2. Sedation and drowsiness. I'm also having minor muscle aches and itching. (However, I'm on *alot* so don't expect to get those)

3. I found the secret on that one. You put it under your tongue, close off the back of your throat by pushing the top of your tongue to the roof of your mouth (while keeping the med in place). You'll salivate. Keep the water/med liquid under your tongue as best you can - it should get on the tip, but not really around your taste buds. It'll dissolve, your tongue will go numb, all that goodness. After you let it sit there for a bit, relax your tongue back down and swallow. Nastyness goes up and over and all is well.

[netsavy006]

Ok. I have another question only because other meds have caused this problem so I want to get a statistic.

If you have or are taking Saphris, do or did you get akathisia?

(I know it's a YMMV, but I want to see a statistic based on current and past users to get an idea of my chances of getting it)

[koali777]

Andy, yes, I got bad akathesia. Not as bad as Abilify, but second worst on antipsychotics. It was awful. I felt like I was having seizures as I was falling asleep too! But I'm sure that was just the twitching. I got on Cogentin ASAP.

[Cetkat]

Ok. I have another question only because other meds have caused this problem so I want to get a statistic.

If you have or are taking Saphris, do or did you get akathisia?

(I know it's a YMMV, but I want to see a statistic based on current and past users to get an idea of my chances of getting it)

I've taken it for 6 nights. No sign of it. From the PI sheet study results, I'd say that it's pretty unlikely at the 5mg BID level (10mg per day) though not impossible. You can see those results for yourself here:

http://www.spfiles.com/pisaphrisv1.pdf?WT.mc_id=SA011&cust_id=999999999&cmpgn_id=1-3918447191&offer_id=1-3918447204

Notice that in the first chart only the 10mg BID really has a significant difference from the placebo. Whereas in the second chart, both dosages are grouped together for an overall total.

[SashaSue]

I've been taking saphris for a few months, and love it. I haven't had any issues whatsoever, except for some initial weiht gain, which is now on its way out.

[netsavy006]

Well I do thank everyone for answering my questions, especially after the way I was acting last week.

Thank you. I will resurrect this thread as needed if I come up with further questions.

Thanks again,

Andy.

[netsavy006]

Update: I took the first tablet.

I wanted to know, 4 minutes into the 10minutes, my saliva went under my tongue. Is that OK?

[Cetkat]

Update: I took the first tablet.

I wanted to know, 4 minutes into the 10minutes, my saliva went under my tongue. Is that OK?

This is the PI Sheet instructions:

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Administration Instructions

SAPHRIS is a sublingual tablet. To ensure optimal absorption, patients should be instructed to

place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to dissolve completely. The tablet will dissolve in saliva

within seconds. SAPHRIS sublingual tablets should not be crushed, chewed, or swallowed [see Clinical

Pharmacology (12.3)]. Patients should be instructed to not eat or drink for 10 minutes after administration

[see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) and Patient Counseling Information (17.1)]

10 min's is the time you wait before drinking something, not how long you have to wait to swallow. I usually wait a min.. but that's probably more that I have to. And you should have saliva there, that's where it comes from and makes the med dissolve.

[netsavy006]

Ok. Thanks Cetkat. I will keep this in mind.

[netsavy006]

I'm curious if others who are on or were on Saphris notice(d) this, but it seems that with each successive dose, the bitter taste gets either less or easier to manage.

Do you notice or if you took it noticed that?