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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shot_away on February 24, 2012, at 14:45:02
Odd reaction to this med (aripiprazole). About 8 months ago I was put on 5mg and increased to 10mg as an antidepressant augmentor. Didn't work out well so i switched to Seroquel (which was worse).
Anyway, after starting Trimipramine + Bupropion (on top of Marplan & Klonopin), I felt slightly better. Last week my doc agreed with my 'mixture' and offered me Abilify again, but at a much smaller dose- 2.5mg to be exact. Strangley enough it feels MUCH stronger than 5 or 10mg! The higher doses just numbed me and gave me much agitation. Such a small dose but, at least for depression, smaller the dose seems to produce better effects. I have no idea why, but my doc must have prescribed such a low dose for a reason. I was even surprised that they do 2.5mg pills lol. Maybe things are finally looking on the up...
Posted by Christ_empowered on February 24, 2012, at 22:21:28
In reply to Hmmm Abilify..., posted by shot_away on February 24, 2012, at 14:45:02
I take 30 Abilify for Bipolar I w/pscyhotic features. At that dose, its basically a tranquilizer, albeit a more tolerable one that many (most?) out there on the market right now.
Now, from what I've read, very low Abilify doses are good for depression. More energizing, less tranquilizing, fewer sides, less uneasiness. I seem to recall reading somewhere that some docs will even give a tiny dose--like yours--every 2nd or 3rd day. This is probably because Abilify has a long half-life and tends to build up with daily use, so skipping days might help some patients keep blood levels low enough to prevent the drug from turning into a tranquilizer.
Anyway, I hope it works out for you. Have you considered dropping an antidepressant or 2 now that the Abilify is working well?
Posted by shot_away on February 25, 2012, at 17:36:39
In reply to Re: Hmmm Abilify..., posted by Christ_empowered on February 24, 2012, at 22:21:28
> I take 30 Abilify for Bipolar I w/pscyhotic features. At that dose, its basically a tranquilizer, albeit a more tolerable one that many (most?) out there on the market right now.
>
> Now, from what I've read, very low Abilify doses are good for depression. More energizing, less tranquilizing, fewer sides, less uneasiness. I seem to recall reading somewhere that some docs will even give a tiny dose--like yours--every 2nd or 3rd day. This is probably because Abilify has a long half-life and tends to build up with daily use, so skipping days might help some patients keep blood levels low enough to prevent the drug from turning into a tranquilizer.
>
> Anyway, I hope it works out for you. Have you considered dropping an antidepressant or 2 now that the Abilify is working well?Actually I have been thinking of taking this opportunity to come off my MAOI. Been on them far too long now.
Posted by bleauberry on February 26, 2012, at 7:15:42
In reply to Hmmm Abilify..., posted by shot_away on February 24, 2012, at 14:45:02
Generally speaking, abilify is more activating at lower doses and more tranquilizing at higher doses. That med didn't agree with me very well, but the best dose range I experienced for myself with it was 1.25mg every other day (a single dose will last in your system for a week or more).
Posted by stewie on February 28, 2012, at 13:34:48
In reply to Hmmm Abilify..., posted by shot_away on February 24, 2012, at 14:45:02
I am having a similar experience to yours. 5 mgs just about sent me through the roof! 1 mg is pretty good - except for the insomnia.
Best of luck.> Odd reaction to this med (aripiprazole). About 8 months ago I was put on 5mg and increased to 10mg as an antidepressant augmentor. Didn't work out well so i switched to Seroquel (which was worse).
> Anyway, after starting Trimipramine + Bupropion (on top of Marplan & Klonopin), I felt slightly better. Last week my doc agreed with my 'mixture' and offered me Abilify again, but at a much smaller dose- 2.5mg to be exact. Strangley enough it feels MUCH stronger than 5 or 10mg! The higher doses just numbed me and gave me much agitation. Such a small dose but, at least for depression, smaller the dose seems to produce better effects. I have no idea why, but my doc must have prescribed such a low dose for a reason. I was even surprised that they do 2.5mg pills lol. Maybe things are finally looking on the up...
This is the end of the thread.
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