Posted by SLS on January 23, 2009, at 6:31:26
In reply to Re: Abilify as a casual adjunct??, posted by porkpiehat on January 22, 2009, at 21:11:22
> I laughed when I saw the new ad on TV pushing people to casually add Abilify to their AD mix and thought "how irresponsible I would never do that."
My reaction was similar to yours. The use of any antipsychotic requires a careful risk versus benefit evaluation.
> I added risperdal to my serzone years ago and flipped the "eff" out!
How so?
> Well my doctor suggested it today because the Buspar I have been augmenting my celexa with (for anxiety and concentration) is making me consistently dark, brooding, and cynical, bordering on suicidal at times.Well, I find Abilify to be a good anti-suicide drug, although it is probably not as good as Zyprexa or Clozaril. However, it might do a better job as an adjunct to standard antidepressants. Its activity at dopamine receptors varies according to synaptic dopamine concentrations. I feel that it is a dopamine system stabilizer (DSS) as it has come to be known as. The main thing you need to look out for is true akathisia. This is uncommon. However, it is common that someone experience anxiety, mild restlessness, and insomnia. These are akathisia-like, but tend to disappear in 1-2 weeks. For me, it is a clean drug. My head is clear. I suffer no fogginess or cognitive blunting. I don't see that it has affected my sex drive.
What is my opinion of the use of a low dosage of Abilify? I really haven't decided. I know that 20mg works well for me and that 5-10mg does not.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:874627
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090104/msgs/875574.html