Posted by SLS on March 9, 2003, at 12:37:17
In reply to Re: Psychiatric Drugs Chart - now includes half-life » SLS, posted by laurarn on March 9, 2003, at 11:33:10
Hi Laura.
I'm sorry you've had such a tough time with Abilify. What are you taking it for? Is it helping?
> I know it is good to stay on a med for at least 2-3 months in order to truly evaluate it's usefulness.
I think that depends on what condition you are trying to treat it with. For instance, it can take 3 or 4 months for an antipsychotic (neuroleptic) to stabilize someone with schizophrenia. I would guess the same is probably true for schizoaffective disorder, although I think using an effective mood stabilizer along with the antipsychotic could stop the induction of episodes somewhat sooner. If one is using a neuroleptic to produce an improvement in unipolar or bipolar depression without psychotic features, I believe that if it is going to provide benefit, it will do so within the first 10-14 days. Of course, this is dependent upon proper dosing.
My doctor started me out on 20mg of Abilify, and I've been taking it for a little over 3 weeks. It has given me minor improvements in energy, motivation, and thought clarity. Unfortunately, it is wholly inadequate, even though it is being used in combination with Lamictal and desipramine. I don't think neuroleptics work very often when used as monotherapy to treat depression. In any event, I am happy to take every little bit I can get. When I see my doctor on Tuesday, I'm not sure what we will be doing with Abilify. My biggest problem with Abilify (aside from its not helping very much) is some serious constipation. The only thing that seems to help are laxatives. I'd like to know if perhaps the degree of constipation is dose-dependent. If it is, I'll want to try reducing it to 10mg.
My next big decision is as to which antidepressant to move on to. I would prefer to try duloxetine (an Effexor-like drug) next, but it has still not been approved. That leaves Lexapro and Strattera as the two for me to consider. I'll leave that up to my doctor.
> But, in this case I have stopped the Abilify until I see my pdoc on Wednesday. I know there are meds to counteract the akathesia and stiff muscles that I have been experiencing, but if I don't get sleep and a bit of stillness I'll go crazy!
I think you are doing the right thing.
> This past week has been just horrible. I've been on Abilify 2 weeks now at a low dose and the side effects have been horrible.
I am still suspicious that taking very low dosages of Abilify might be counterproductive in that it might cause someone to feel sedated and sleepy all day long, yet still cause insomnia and agitation. If it weren't for the akathisia and dystonia (muscle stiffness), I would encourage you to increase the dosage. I guess what it boils down to for you is: Are the benefits significant enough to try to work with the side effects?
> So, as you can see, the half-life info isn't so great for me. But at least I have that information in a nifty chart. Back to my Seroquel again. Should have never left it.
20/20 hindsight.
Be well and thanks for the encouragement.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:207392
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030306/msgs/207414.html