Posted by yxibow on November 23, 2006, at 1:53:08
In reply to Akathisia driving me nuts!, posted by TrishP on November 22, 2006, at 10:58:24
> Ok - this akathisia that the docs call it is driving me nuts! I love the AD effects of Abilify (only on 2mg!), but I feel jittery, hyper and inable to concentrate sometimes. I've been taking Benedryl and it first it helped. The Xanax doesn't help it.
>
> If I try to go down to 1mg of abilify I get depressed again. I hate to change drugs after only 16 days! But I feel like I am going to rattle of my chair!
Benzodiazepines are one choice for akathisia but probably require enough of a dose -- I don't know how much Xanax you take, but agents that tend to be more geared towards anti-spasmotic and anti-epileptic might help, such as Klonopin, Valium, and possibly Ativan.Benadryl is a rather harsh solution and not a refined drug generally used for long term anticholinergic therapy. Generally the most common anticholinergic used is Cogentin (benztropine), although it can be as groggy as Benadryl. I happen to prefer Akineton (biperiden), your pharmacy depending on their stock may have to special order it although it is still in definite use. Otherwise there is Artane (trihexiphenidyl).
Another possible solution is propranolol or any of the non-cardioselective beta blockers, but again, a dose more than just a 10 mg "stage fright" dose may be necessary -- thats up to your doctor.
I sympathize with your struggle on Abilify -- it was an agent I thought would be better in terms of akathisia because of its partial agonism but it has proven to be as strong as Geodon for some of those who experience akathisia badly (I assume you've tried Geodon.)-- Jay
poster:yxibow
thread:706146
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061117/msgs/706401.html