What Are Options for Treating PICA? Part 2
However, based on case reports and effectiveness, the drugs with the best benefit for PICA are the atypical anti psychotics. Drugs like olanzapine, risperidone, or clozapine have shown to be more easily tolerated and produce relief in many cases.
Isolated reports do indicate that with time PICA does diminish and the drugs can be stopped. Some individuals required drug therapy for 3-9 months. The principal brain target of all antipsychotic drugs is the dopamine D2 receptor. One should be aware that a few mentally handicapped individuals who have been treated with anti psychotics have gone on to develop worsening of PICA. This may be due to ineffective dose, improper diagnosis or a combination of other emotional problems.
It is highly recommended that one follow up with a psychiatrist when using these drugs. The lowest dose of drug should be used. The effects of anti psychotics are not immediate and can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks to manifest. Other drugs which have been tried for treatment of PICA with some benefit include bromocriptine and methylphenidate.
At low dose, these drugs are fairly well tolerated and to avoid side effects one should not practice polypharmacy.
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Used at certain dosage levels in certain forms at certain times, prescription drugs are safe and effective. But when they are used for nonmedical purposes, that is called abuse, and abuse of prescription drugs is not safe.
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