4 replies to this topic

[JH6]

I've been taking Saphris for about 3-4 months, my doctor had me increase the dose from 5mg per day to 10mg per day.

I noticed a constant rash/pimples on the back of my head since increasing the dose. Sometimes my legs will itch terribly also. It is not dry skin or anything like that, it is very rare for me to get a rash of any kind.

I told the doctor, and she prescribed a hydrocordisone cream and told me to take 2 benadryl at night time.

Has anyone had an itchy feeling from atypicals?

The benadryl is taking care of the itch no problem, but is making me super drowsy, that on top of saphris pretty much knocks me out for 8-10 hours solid.

The rash is still persistent for the last 4-6 weeks.

[horselover]

Allergic reaction rash and itching do seem to sometimes happen with saphris. Your dr's response was the general response for generic rash and itching. But does your dr. know that this has been going on this long? Are you working with a pdoc? Are you taking any other meds? Is Saphris helping your stuttering any?

It seems curious to me that your dr. would have you continue Saphris, and even raise the dose, if he or she knows you have a continuing itchy rash. Meds rashes I have dealt with usually subside fairly quickly with benadryl. I would think that the continuance of the rash would be a concern to your dr.

[JH6]

Yes, the Saphris is very good for stuttering. The 10mg daily dose works even better than the 5mg daily dose. I am not taking another medication. Right now I think my doctor thinks that the benefits of the saphris outweigh a rash. I go back in a couple weeks. She told me to use the cream, and take 2 benadryl before bedtime, and she would re-evaluate during the next visit. The benadryl stops the itching in its tracks, but definitively makes me quite tired.

It took me a while to attribute the rash to the Saphris, but my doctor picked up on it right away. Is itching and rashes common with this class of drugs, or just Saphris?

Edited by JH6, 13 May 2011 - 01:42 AM.

[horselover]

Yes, the Saphris is very good for stuttering. The 10mg daily dose works even better than the 5mg daily dose. I am not taking another medication. Right now I think my doctor thinks that the benefits of the saphris outweigh a rash. I go back in a couple weeks. She told me to use the cream, and take 2 benadryl before bedtime, and she would re-evaluate during the next visit. The benadryl stops the itching in its tracks, but definitively makes me quite tired.

It took me a while to attribute the rash to the Saphris, but my doctor picked up on it right away. Is itching and rashes common with this class of drugs, or just Saphris?

That's good that it is helping you and that your dr. seems to be paying attention to the rash.
Apparently skin rashes are a common antipsychotic side effect, although not what I would normally think as the top offenders. Read more here.
I usually think of the anticonvulsants as the rash producers.

[shetani]

I had this problem with Risperdal... I got the itchiest, nastiest little rashes on my feet and arms, it was so weird.

While I don't think this sort of thing is uncommon with antipsychotics, I'd still keep a close eye on it.