Aripiprazole Medication

Read and learn more about Aripiprazole Medication.

Q: How easy or difficult is it typically for schizophrenics to switch medication from olanzapine to aripiprazole?
I take a high dose of olanzapine (zyprexa) to control symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia and it does keep me out of hospital, however I have a certain degree of apathy/flat mood/lack of emotion which I am inclined to attribute to my prescribed drug. The newer drug aripiprazole (abilify) is reputed to have mild anti-depressant properties as well as fewer side-effects, and I have known people on it (for schizoid conditions) who had rather a high level of cognitive functioning (sometimes I feel “dulled” on olanzapine).

Is it complicated to change treatment in this way? If I did, am I likely to respond well to this aripiprazole? Would such a change, if feasible, require a stay in hospital?

A: One thing that you can work with your doctor about (since both can be taken together) is gradually decrease your dose of Zyprexa, while you increase your dose of Abilify. This way you are balancing out your withdrawal from the Z while starting the A.

I wish you best of luck.

Q: being pregnant on medication?
aripiprazole,fluoxetine,risperidone,propranolol and zolpidem.

What would happen if one was to become pregnant while taking all these medication.

A: Some of the medications may cause birth defects. It’s extremely important to discuss this with an OB/GYN she may want to switch you to an alternative medication that would be safe to take while pregnant.

Q: Lamotrigine or Aripiprazole?
I have recently been diagnosed with Bipolar after years in treatment for bulimia nervosa, major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder.

My psychiatrist feels it would be good to try a new medication especially as I have experienced 2 manic episodes in the last 6 months and my depression has become intolerable and is no longer being helped by my current medication.

I’m currently taking 225mg venlafaxine. Initially I would stay on this whilst taking a new medication and then that would be reviewed- whether to stay on it, switch to something else or come off it.

Has anyone had any experiences with lamotrigine or aripiprazole? My psychiatrist has said that one of them would be best for me but has given me the choice which depending on how I feel about their possible side effects.

Any advice or experiences would be great!

A: actually you can take both of them. Lamotrigine is a mood stabilizer and aripiprazole is an anti psychotic (Abilify). I have taken them together before. No sweat….. Lamotrigine messed with my memory a bit but I am still on it…. Abilify gave me horrible insomnioa and made me manic…. I am now on Klonopin, Lamotrigine, and Saphris.

Q: Side effect of risperidone continueing after stoping 4 weeks ago?
I Stopped taking risperidone due to lactation. As a result of this my pro lactin levels were high. However after stopping this medication 4 weeks ago, I am still having this problem. Is this normal or do I need to go back to my gp. Also they’ve changed the risperidone for aripiprazole.

A: Prolactin levels increase due to the blocking of dopamine receptors. I don’t know of any antipsychotic drugs or atypical anti-psychotic drugs that don’t block dopamine, including Abilify (aripiprazole).

Just because the clinical drug trials did not show higher prolactin levels using abiilfy compared to placebo does not mean it does not occur. The FDA allows doctors to report side effects observed after the clinical drug trials, but that data is kept secret from the public. The FDA sat on the phen-fen data for years until a group of doctors at the Mayo Clinic got tired of waiting and made their own press conference. Its all about money.

These atypical antipsycotics promote weight gain and diabetes and are overprescribed. Often the doctor who prescribe them get paid by the drug companies to do the clinical drug trials. If they reported too many side effects that would hurt sales they would not be on the payroll.

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/021436s027lbl.pdf

Q: Why won’t my doctors prescribe me medication?
I’m having terrible anxiety and the doctors won’t prescribe me something to help. Instead they’ve given me aripiprazole! which I believe won’t work. It’s gotten to the point now were I don’t want to leave the house.

I asked them today for some medication, they replied: “wait six weeks until this new medication takes effect” That’s no good to me! I’m not sleeping, or getting the right amount of rest. I almost had a panic attack with my key-worker in ASDA today. I felt as though the walls were closing in on me, my heart was beating 10-dozen and I was going all hot. I ask myself how many more days can I manage like this. Why do I fear going outside?

What should I do regarding this matter?

A: I can think of better medication to be prescribed other than aripiprazole. That said, 6 weeks is a long time to wait considering you anxiety is affecting you now. Maybe you can go back to your Doc and ask for some Diazepam for you to use on a short term basis as this works pretty much straight away.

Q: my side effects from taking 10mg Aripiprazole?
Ive been taking this drug for only 3 days now and the side effects have not been good. On average my sleeping pattern is quite bad and i dont get tired until after 1am at least. since taking this medication i have been feeling tired all the time im getting to bed at 10.30pm which is good i guess but i cant control when i want to get to bed which is fustrating. Also ive had about 10hrs or more sleep a night over the past 3 nights and still been tired the next day and had o take naps during the day!
I have also been feeling sick and weak, i really dont fel like myself : ( im wondering whether i should not take my meds today as i just hate the feeling its been giving me. Ive also been having a lot of hiccups?!

ive been prescribed this medication due to psychotic symptoms (seeing things, people and also hearing people) i have not yet been diagnosed with anything.

look forward to your answers.

thanks in advance x

A: I take Aripiprazole for major depression. However, I am on a much smaller dosage than you are. I take only 2 mg, but I might be increasing it to 5 mg in September. Aripiprazole has actually been a really good drug for me. But we are all different. A med that works wonderfully for one person may be lousy for someone else with the same symptoms. For the symptoms you described, 10-15 mg is the standard dosage.

In many cases, people get negative side effects very soon after starting a new med. Then the body adjusts to the med and the side effects get much less or disappear completely.

One of your first steps is to speak to your doctor about your side effects. Also, remember that you are always entitled to a 2nd or 3rd opinion from other doctors (if you have insurance that would cover this).

I also suggest something you might not like. Give the drug more time, at least 7 to 10 days. See if the side effects get better or worse.

You can also check out the website below. You will find a list of side effects along with other info. You can also google Aripiprazole. You will get a ton of information, maybe too much. I wish you the best.

http://www.drugs.com/ppa/aripiprazole.html

EDIT: You may have started at too high a dose. It might be better cut down to a small dose (like 2 to 5 mg) and then gradually increase the dosage. That is the way many people start with a drug.

Q: question about medication (abilify & remeron) & other stuff?
i met with a psychiastrist and admited to him that i cut & burn myself & what i thought was post-traumatic stress turned out to be i think mild depression & bi-polar (sorry, his english wasn’t very good, so i didn’t really understand & i don’t really understand mental disorders to begin with) anyways i’m like in a total blurr right now, i’m on abilify (aripiprazole) & remeron (mirtazpine) & i started looking up everything & i read that abilify was for schizophrenia & now i’m worried that i’m schizophrenic & i’ve been having episodes where i like twitch & completely shut off from the world (it lasts for a max 5 mins & happens almost everyday) i meet with a counselor soon & i was put in a special class at school called reconnecting youth, but ik i won’t be able to open up with these people. i never learned good coping skills & i really don’t know how to deal with anything that’s going on right now. could anyone please shed some light on any of this?
i btw haven’t cut or burned since saturday i’m trying really hard to stop.
***btw i
typos

A: Hi,
Taking Abilify and/or Remeron does not necessarily mean that you are schizophrenic … both medications are used for various reasons. Remeron is a strong medication which can make a person feel rather “weird,” for lack of a better word. You may be experiencing some very odd dreams or thinking you are awake when you are really asleep, etc.

Abilify, which is often prescribed for schizophrenia, can be used for certain symptoms of depression. I wonder from the two meds you are taking (assuming these are the only two), that you’re having trouble sleeping and perhaps are having difficulty controlling some of your thoughts and/or actions.

Continue talking with a counselor and if at any time during your visits with your doctor, and you do not understand exactly what he/she is saying, have him/her to write it down. They do work for you after all, not the other way around.

Whenever beginning new medications, especially psychotropic meds, you may have some side effects which will ease away after a few weeks. When you see the doc and/or counselor, make sure that they understand your concerns about the meds and the possible reasons for taking them. ASK why you are taking these meds, the reasons specifically for you.

Knowledge is power, so continue educating yourself as much as possible, but try not to jump to conclusions by what you see. Take your concerns to your doc and/or counselor and MAKE them explain it to you.

I hope this has helped,
Kristi

Q: Bipolar disorder? How would you diagnose / treat this patient?
Patient in late 20s presents with history of anxiety and major depressive episodes punctuated by periods of Ultradian cycling between hypomanic and dysthymic states. Complains of depression and anxiety. Nothing in the patient’s stated history suggests past instances of manic episodes, mixed episodes, or psychosis.

Patient is currently taking no medication. Previous pharmaceutical treatments included, in varied times in different combinations:

Numerous SSRIs (citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine), atypical anti-psychotics: (aripiprazole, quetiapine, olanzapine), and anticonvulsants (clonazepam, gabapentin, lamotrigine), plus venlafaxine, bupropion, and imipramine.

Patient has never responded to any medication or combination of medications.

A. How exactly would you diagnose this patient? (DSM-IV # would be helpful, but not as important).

B. What course of treatment would you recommend? And if the patient doesn’t respond to the first treatment?

Thanks!
Patient has also previously been prescribed Lithium, to which he also did not respond.

A: Borderline Personality Disorder? Try DBT, as thi scondition seems resistant to just about every psych med that ought to have an effect.

Q: reduced consciousness,,,, I need some help!!!?
Is it possible to take an antipsychotic medication and for it to damage you mind in the idea of reduced consciousness? I only ask because I feel like this antipsychotic medication has reduced my consciousness.
If yes–what should I do?
If no– what would cause reduced consciousness? Is it even possible? I just don’t feel like me anymore…

The medication which I took two times and stopped with out the permission of the person whom prescribed it to me was ABILIFY (aripiprazole). The second time I ended up in ER. Asking the ER doctor Can I stop, which he said yes you can but speak to your doctor . oh yea, it turns out that I don’t have bipolar disorder. I took the medication for no reason…. I took it for two or three weeks and the second time one or two weeks.

A: your body doesn’t lie-take control of your life already. cause if you don’t someone may come along and take it for you.

Q: Bipolar Effective Disorder?
I’ve recently been diagnosed with Bipolar Effective Disorder after 11 years of suffering.
I’ve had my own personal experiences, obviously – but I’ve never realized when I’ve been in a manic state.
Can anyone tell me more about the disorder, and it could affect me and whether or not it’ll control my life (I need constant supervision and I’m taking Aripiprazole and Lithium.
Is there anything I can do (apart from taking my medication) to prevent manic or depressive episodes?
And what are the chances of my daughter having the same disorder?

A: Bipolar Disorder involves oscillating between depressive states and manic states. There are several neurotransmitters in the brain that play a role in our moods, that determine how we feel throughout the day. Those neurotransmitters go out of whack, and our moods go out of whack.

Most affective disorders respond well to dietary changes that address specific nutritional needs. I know several people with bipolar who manage their symptoms totally by diet.

It takes a bit of research, but more than that, it takes a strong will to make the adjustments to your eating habits. How you eat is driven by many things…what you like, how much you know about nutrition, how much time you are able to devote to the getting and fixing of your food, how much money you have to spend on food….all these things have a role.

If you wonder how diet can be the key here…remember your brain (like your body) has very specific nutritional needs. And your brain, like your body, only gets what your diet supplies in way of nutrients. There are so many processed foods that are typical fare in the ’standard American diet (SAD)’. Many of these processed foods bare no resemblance to the whole food they are made from. The whole food has been refined to the point that it no longer has the same nutritional profile. Many of the nutrients get stripped away. Then the food manufacturer adds all the artificial ingredients to create flavor and visual appeal, and to increase the shelf life of the final product. What ends up on the shelf, being sold as food, isn’t real food. Worse, all those artificial ingredients (because they are neurotoxic) can cause or contribute to many mental ills, including anxiety, hyperactivity, depression, confusion, mental fatigue and more.

After saying all that about diet…your daughter can very well have the same disorder, or even different mental illness symptoms. In studying hereditary factors in college, there was always the nature vs. nurture debate to be hashed out. Could be genetic determinants involved, but could just as likely be that some disorders run in families because families tend to have the same dietary shortfalls (they eat from the same table).

A good guide to healthy eating is to base your diet on whole foods. Eliminate junk foods, fast foods, and foods and drinks high in sugar. That leaves fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains (not highly processed cereals), and protein from healthy sources.

In addition to a whole food diet, some minimal supplementation can be helpful….
* a good multi-vitamin/mineral complex…to be sure you are getting all the necessary nutrients in a healthy balance; take as directed on package
* a B100 complex…B vitamins are critical for the health of the nervous system (your brain is part of your nervous system)
* a good EFA (essential fatty acid) formula; critical for health of the nervous system
* a good enzyme formula that includes protease, amylase, and lipase enzymes….to optimize your body’s ability to digest and assimilate both your food and your supplements.

Q: What weight (KGs) is healthy for a white 173cms male?
I’m about five-foot-eight and before I was twelve I was very thin.
Since the age of twelve I have had ‘man-boobs’ and a flabby gut.
I’m rather thin on my arms and legs, maybe my butt and face as well, but the front part of my torso – belly and chest, is really quite untoned and a bit unsightly.
I can still see my ribcage if I hold my belly all the way in, but I’m fluctuating between 70 and 76kgs, whereas last year I was about 64kgs and still had the same old build.
The year before last, I tried starving myself and ate little until I was about 7stone 10.
I’ve been on medication that ‘is unlikely to have a weight gain side effect, but is not unheard of’ – Aripiprazole.
I have an exercise bike at home which I frequently use for 20-30 minutes. I’ve cut down on sugary snacks and eat better than ever before in my life, yet I have yet to lose weight.
Any help/advice/comments?
Sorry for the information overload, but I’m desperate to trim down…

A: Your weight isn’t that easily figured out. It depends on your frame as well. There is a healthy range your body should be in. It can be anywhere from 55.33kg-74.38kg for your height.

You need to do more than 20-30 minutes to lose weight. That amount is the minimal amount advisable for health benefits and is more like a maintenance routine that you’d do when you already achieved your goal. To lose weight you want to do cardio 4-5 times a week for 45-60 minutes. A bike isn’t that bad but walking or running would be better for you.

Q: Am i really schizophrenic?
I was recently clinically diagnosed with schizophrenia, on the grounds that i displayed many positive symptoms for more than two months. symtoms included:
inability to express emotions or feel emotions
insomnia
auditory hallucinations
delusions about a religion and religion in general
something about over reacting to criticism and insults

my delusions were about a group of gods, which i follow and pray to. i was prescribed aripiprazole, which i took until i met someone else, who follows the same religion, uses the same bizarre names and terms, (Dioblos, Xiolok, Kirit, Krith), he also believes in everything i believed in, and is planning to kill himself the exact same age i plan to, the day after im 50. so are they really delusions, if two people who have never met share the exact same beliefs? baring in mind that there is nothing on the internet or in books which we could have got the information from. i stopped taking medication a few weeks ago, but alot of my friends are worried about me, but i insist i am fine, college is going great etc. but they are still concerned. what do i do?
Just clarify:
i am 16
i am white English
the person i met has been seen and spoken to by the majority of my friends who can all confirm his existence
i have had the supposed ‘delusions’ ever since i was 5 years old

A: Schizophrenia is a common misdiagnosis.
Here is a sensitive question–are you African American? It’s most commonly misdiagnosed in African Americans. I’m not saying that you were misdiagnosed, but it is possible. It’s hard to get away from the stigma.
Be very careful with the medication. I recommend talking to your doctor about it. There may be problems that you don’t see. Know that as long as you are not a threat to yourself or others, no one can make you take medication, though.
if it did not last 6 months, you did/do not have schizophrenia. Psychotic symptoms are not uncommon in the general population.
Talk to your doctor about the medication though. And maybe try seeing someone else and explaining this to him/her.
simply having “delusions” won’t qualify you for a schizophrenia diagnosis. There are a number of criteria you have to meet. It really sounds like you may have some type of psychotic disorder, maybe delusional disorder or brief psychotic disorder.
Whatever it is, plenty of people with schizophrenia graduate from college and lead successful lives.

Q: Am I really schizophrenic?
I was recently clinically diagnosed with schizophrenia, on the grounds that i displayed many positive symptoms for more than two months. symtoms included:
inability to express emotions or feel emotions
insomnia
auditory hallucinations
delusions about a religion and religion in general
something about over reacting to criticism and insults

i am 16
i am white English
the person i met has been seen and spoken to by the majority of my friends who can all confirm his existence
i have had the supposed ‘delusions’ ever since i was 5 years old

A: I’m also taking abilify but not for schizophrenia, for an adjunct to my antidepressant. The symptoms your describing do sound like delusions, but if they aren’t consuming your life and you feel like you can control them then you don’t necessarily have to be on medication. This isn’t to say it wouldn’t help you though; so if you feel the medication helps then continue taking it. If it helps you then there’s nothing to be ashamed about regarding taking it; some people need temporary or permanent assistance from medication.

Q: on psychiatric medications?
Which of the following drugs is the most sedating:

Chlorpromazine, Droperidol, Fluphenazine, Fluphenthixol, Haloperidol, Pericyazine, Pimozide, Thioridazine, Thiothixene, Trifluoperazine, Zuclopphenthixol, Amilsipride, Olanzapine, Seroquel, Risperidone, Clozapine, Aripiprazole.

These are all major tranquilizers. I want to know which is the most sedating. I want something to knock me flat. Thanks People.

A: I’m sure Haloperidol is pretty strong… I mean, that’s what they use in psychiatric patients in the middle of severe episodes.

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