Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on May 3, 2016, at 17:14:12
News Alerts > Medscape Medical News
Impulse Control Problems Linked to Antipsychotic, FDA Warns
Caroline Cassels
Disclosures | May 03, 2016The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning of impulse control problems associated with the atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole (Abilify, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd; Abilify Maintena, Otsuka; Aristada, Alkermes, Inc; and generics).
The drug has been associated with compulsive gambling, eating, shopping, and sexual activity. According to an FDA release, these urges reportedly cease when the drug is discontinued or the dose is reduced. The FDA also notes that although these effects are rare, they have the potential to cause harm to patients and others if they go unrecognized.
"Although pathological gambling is listed as a reported side effect in the current aripiprazole drug labels, this description does not entirely reflect the nature of the impulse-control risk FDA identified.
"In addition, FDA has become aware of other compulsive behaviors associated with aripiprazole, such as compulsive eating, shopping, and sexual actions. These compulsive behaviors can affect anyone who is taking the medicine. As a result, FDA is adding new warnings about all of these compulsive behaviors to the drug labels and the patient Medication Guides for all aripiprazole products," the FDA notes in its release.
Aripiprazole is used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Tourette's disorder, and irritability associated with autistic disorder. It may also be used in combination with antidepressants to treat depression.
The FDA recommends that healthcare professionals make patients and their caregivers aware of these impulse-control risks when prescribing the drug and "specifically ask patients about any new or increasing urges while they are being treated with aripiprazole."
Further, they recommend close monitoring for new or worsening uncontrollable urges in patients at increased risk for impulse control problems. Higher-risk patients include those with a personal or family history of obsessive-compulsive disorder, impulse-control disorder, bipolar disorder, impulsive personality, alcoholism, drug abuse, or other addictive behaviors.
The FDA advises clinicians to consider reducing the dose or stopping the medication if such urges develop. However, they add that patients should not suddenly stop taking the medication without consulting their healthcare provider.Additional information for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals is available from the FDA.
Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
Posted by J Kelly on May 3, 2016, at 22:49:26
In reply to FDA Warning Abilify Impulse Control!!!!, posted by Phillipa on May 3, 2016, at 17:14:12
"The FDA also notes that although these effects are rare"
I'm glad to see the rarity of these effects as so many benefit from this particular medication.
Jade
Posted by Phillipa on May 4, 2016, at 9:42:32
In reply to Re: FDA Warning Abilify Impulse Control!!!! » Phillipa, posted by J Kelly on May 3, 2016, at 22:49:26
Jade yes they said rare. Seems always a scare about some medication. Phillipa
Posted by J Kelly on May 6, 2016, at 5:12:04
In reply to Re: FDA Warning Abilify Impulse Control!!!! » J Kelly, posted by Phillipa on May 4, 2016, at 9:42:32
> Jade yes they said rare. Seems always a scare about some medication. Phillipa
I know it. And its hard not to beat yourself up when you've had some "uncommon" reaction that causes you problems. But were all really just trying to get well.
Jade
Posted by Lamdage22 on May 6, 2016, at 7:55:32
In reply to Re: FDA Warning Abilify Impulse Control!!!! » Phillipa, posted by J Kelly on May 6, 2016, at 5:12:04
Would this also be true for Rexulti?
I can imagine since the mode of action is similar.
Posted by Jeroen on May 7, 2016, at 9:22:15
In reply to Re: FDA Warning Abilify Impulse Control!!!!, posted by Lamdage22 on May 6, 2016, at 7:55:32
Compulsive gambling, i have as side effect. but its treating psychosis, doesn't make any sense in mental health! I was not even a casual gambler before, and the anti depressant Sipralexa they gave me 10 years ago caused me to be obsessed in making money. This isn't mental health either. When i quit it i wasn't obsessed in making money anymore. WE ARE like rats in a lab.
mmm how will he react to that particular medicine!!!!!!
Posted by jonhed on May 7, 2016, at 16:37:33
In reply to TO WHO AM I ASKING MY MONEY BACK!!, posted by Jeroen on May 7, 2016, at 9:22:15
I don't know if that is the case, but medicines are sure to have side effects in whatever group there is, somatic, neurological or psychological.
The difficult thing with treating the brain vs the body, is that the brain is far more complex than your leg.Some people loved, and love, hoffmann la roche's medications in general, and some think they're dangerous.
Same thing with lundbeck or allergan.Personally i like substances that are made by people who are dedicated to what they're doing, and i think that most antipsychotics are made with good intentions at the beginning.
Sorry for rambling, but it's a very interesting subject!
This is the end of the thread.
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