Posted by SLS on March 17, 2014, at 7:50:37
In reply to Abilify, posted by sadperson on March 17, 2014, at 6:04:30
> Does anyone have experience going from 5mg to 10mg of Abilify as an adjunct medication for depression? I am already taking the maximum dosages of Remeron and Cymbalta.
What condition are you treating? What dosages of these two drugs are you taking?
I use Abilify as an adjunct to treat bipolar depression. I need a minimum of 10 mg/day to maintain an improvement. I have tried reducing the dosage to 5 mg/day and experienced a deterioration in my condition. Many people can tolerate a dosage increase of Abilify from 5 mg/day to 10 mg/day without sequalae. Some people, like me, are able to initiate treatment at 20 mg/day. I experienced mild akathisia that lasted just a few days. Because of its long half-life (72 hours), it takes awhile to reach equilibrium. In other words, Abilify blood levels increase gradually, despite starting treatment at the target dosage. One idea proposed is that low dosages of Abilify (2 - 5 mg/day) can work to treat unipolar Major Depressive Disorder. However, higher dosages are necessary for Bipolar Disorder. I get the feeling from seeing people try Abilify to treat unipolar depression that they are more sensitive to side effects at higher dosages than are people with Bipolar Disorder.
If you haven't already tried Pristiq or Effexor, I would consider switching to one of these drugs from Cymbalta. You can also try adding Wellbutrin to any of these drugs.
Good luck
- Scott
Some see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.- George Bernard Shaw
poster:SLS
thread:1062646
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20140307/msgs/1062651.html