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Abilify (aripiprazole)

Overall Rating
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2.67
Rating:

2.67

** 1/2
(Out of 5 Stars)
Side Effects
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2.12
Pricing
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2.17
Average Price: $71.37 Thumbs up Recommended By
60% of reviewers (of 149 reviews)
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Abilify®

Generic Name: Aripiprazole ay-ree-PIP-ray-zole

Drug Class: Antipsychotics

 

Contents

 

Description

Abilify is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression). It is also used together with other medications to treat major depressive disorder in adults.



This medicine is classified as an antipsychotic medication and is used to treat patients that suffer from delusions, hallucinations, unorganized thought and hostility. This medicine may also be prescribed to treat severe behavioral problems in children.



Abilify has also been approved for the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in pediatric patients ages 6 to 17 years, including symptoms of aggression towards others, deliberate self-injuriousness, temper tantrums, and quickly changing moods. Irritability can be an associated behavior of autistic disorder and is manifested as aggression towards others, deliberate self-injurious behaviors, temper tantrums, aggression and quickly changing moods.


Your doctor may prescribe this medication for other conditions as well.

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General Information
This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. 

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Proper use of this medicine
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. This medicine should be taken continually, even if you are feeling better. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Do not take more or less of this medicine that prescribed. Do not share this medicine with other people.
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Missed Dose
Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.
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Storage
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
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Possible Side Effects
    • Check with your doctor AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience diarrhea, vomiting, unsteadiness, difficulty walking, or unusual muscle weakness.
    • This medicine can cause the following side effects:
      • constipation
      • dizziness
      • drowsiness
      • dry mouth
      • headache
      • weight gain
      • restlessness
      • mild thirst
      • frequent urination
      • drowsiness
      • fine hand tremor
      • mild nausea
    • This medicine may increase blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Diabetic patients should be cautious of this and regularly check their blood sugar.
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Warnings/Precautions
    • Several days to weeks may pass before you feel the the full effects of this medicine.
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Overdose
Seek medical attention immediately. U.S. residents can call the national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
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Drug Interactions
    • Let your doctor know if you are taking any of the following types of medications:
      • antacids
      • antihistamines
      • diet pills
      • benztropine (Cogentin)
      • bromocriptine (Parlodel)
      • carbamazepine (Tegretol)
      • dicyclomine (Bentyl)
      • fluoxetine (Prozac)
      • guanethidine (Ismelin)
      • lithium
      • meperidine (Demerol)
      • methyldopa (Aldomet)
      • phenytoin (Dilantin)
      • propranolol (Inderal)
      • sedatives
      • trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
      • valproic acid (Depakene)
      • cold medications
      • medications for depression
      • vitamins and herbs
    • Inform your doctor of all the medications you may use (both prescription and nonprescription), especially if you are taking any of the following:
      • anti-depressant
      • anti-anxiety drugs
      • sparfloxacin
      • grepafloxacin

      • guanethidine
      • guanadrel
      • lithium
      • metrizamide
      • cabergoline

      • tranquilizers
      • barbiturates
      • sleeping pills
      • narcotic pain
        medication (e.g. codeine)
      • other medicines that make you drowsy.
    • Many cough-and-cold products contain ingredients that may add a drowsiness effect. Before you use cough-and-cold medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of those products..

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Pregnancy/Nursing
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. For women: since this medicine is excreted in human breast milk, you should NOT breastfeed while taking this medicine.
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More Information

For more information about this medicine, talk to your healthcare provider.
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Tags: bipolar schizophrenia pcbip pcschiz antipsychotic




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Reviews
 
drtywmn
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New Member

Registered: June 2008
Posts: 1
Wed July 9, 2008 Recommended? No | Total Spent: $413.00| Rating: 4 

 
PROS: none that I (or my husband) can see
CONS: mouth-chewing, dizziness upon standing,

I was on 5mg Abilify for over a year before I stopped all meds completely (on one heck of a cocktail...). I started again about a month ago, just 5mg Abilify because I wanted to "start slow". I hate that the pills are so SMALL, it makes them LOOK INNOCENT. THEY'RE NOT INNOCENT!!! I'd thought all the shaking and mess I had from before was the combo I was on, but I see now that MOST OF IT WAS THE ABILIFY. I am having trouble walking, like I can't judge distance. I bump into EVERYTHING. They said this was to help with my mania. CRAP. I only get things DONE during my mania, and the new doctor didn't bother to read my LENGTHY file before prescribing this. They don't want me to kill myself, but boy they don't mind killing me with this crap. After all, I'm nuts so I must DESERVE this, right? Its hard to stay positive about any of this.

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out_of_the_dark
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Newly Joined

Registered: July 2008
Fri July 4, 2008 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8 

 
PROS: more energy, less depression, able to complete tasks.
CONS: super inner-restlessness, excess snacking, funny sweet taste in mouth

At first the inner restlessness was almost too much to bear. I talked to my doctor and he suggested taking benadryl with it. Surprisingly the restlessness is almost completely subsided. I'm no longer taking a sleeping pill or the ativan with it. MUCH better than seroquel. I gained 18 pounds on that drug in three weeks. I would definitely recommend abilify.

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darkspiral

Junior Member

Registered: June 2008
Posts: 17
Wed June 25, 2008 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1 

 
PROS: none
CONS: bad side effects

the Akathisia was too much for me to handle. i was working a sit down job and the restlessness was interfering with my ability to work. bad bad bad drug would not reccomend it to anyone

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lulugirl
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Junior Member

Registered: June 2008
Location: florida
Posts: 7
Tue June 17, 2008 Recommended? No | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5 

 
PROS: gives lil energy
CONS: insomnia at night, sleepy during day, excessive hunger

not good for an anorexia patients..........

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ak315
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Newly Joined

Registered: June 2008
Fri June 6, 2008 Recommended? No | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3 

 
PROS: none
CONS: nausea, weight gain, exhaustion, restlessness

I was prescribed this while in inpatient care for treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. After talking to my new psychiatrist, he told me that they probably prescribed me that drug to somewhat "sedate" me, as I was in a somewhat catatonic state for a week after starting this. Had I known I could have refused my drugs, I would have. I was exhausted, but could not sleep well for about two weeks. I also gained about 15 lbs in the two month period that I was on it, and I did not change my habits whatsoever, in fact I was exercising more than I had before. I also could not sit still, I was extrememly fidgety while on it. If you are prescribed this drug for reasons other than schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder (what it is approved for), I would strongly recommend against it.

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psychydoc
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Registered: June 2008
Posts: 2
Wed June 4, 2008 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7 

 
PROS: Less obsessive thinking about certain things, More stable mood
CONS: Obsessive thinking overall about life and stable mood can be anxious

Before insurance this medication runs over $400 Luckily, I have insurance. I was prescribed this medication for major depressive disorder It's been a few weeks and maybe it is too soon to tell if the pros are better than the cons Anxiety still exists even with Celexa & Klonopin Feel bored and don't like being bored or alone also feel like i should always "be doing something" Still cannot function good enough to hold a steady job

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Rojogan

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Registered: May 2008
Location: North Central Washington State
Mon May 5, 2008 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: $50.00| Rating: 8 

 
PROS: More relaxed, almost no depression
CONS: Slight indigestion & hearburn, slightly blurry vision

Have bipolar. Started taking Abilify one week ago. So far, I feel much calmer and relaxed than before. My mood has also dramatically changed. Have almost no depression. But, this is a normal routine when I add new meds, so will have to wait and see how this works out over time.

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terry
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Registered: April 2007
Posts: 5
Wed April 30, 2008 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10 

 
PROS: Elimintated my morning depression. Very energizing.
CONS: Stimulating to the point of causing insomnia.

Abilify 5 mg. was added to my regimen of Paxil and Effexor and I consider it one of those wonder drugs. I no longer awake in the morning with that "down" feeling but actually feel stimulated and somewhat happy. It is very activating and can cause insomnia and I have been augmenting it with Ativan, which helps. As I say, I consider it a wonder drug because I no longer suffer from that "hate to get up in the morning" blues.

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bipolar2grl
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Newly Joined

Registered: April 2008
Sun April 27, 2008 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: $60.00| Rating: 7 

 
PROS: so far has helped with thinking slower
CONS: extreme inner shaking, need to move

only been on it a short time, but seems to help with bipolar II, hopefully it will calm me enough to be able to help with controlling my ocd. still have insomnia, but have dealt with that my whole life with no relief from meds. no weight gain yet. hopefully never!!!!

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inner_peace08
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Newly Joined

Registered: April 2008
Tue April 22, 2008 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10 

 
PROS: Clear thinking, lots of energy--my sex drive is BACK;) losing weight(7 pounds in 2 weeks so far)
CONS: Feeling restless when I am tired and continuous urinating

I just started taking Abilify for over 2 weeks today. I had a hard first 2 days of the side effects.(trouble sleeping,dry mouth, no appetite and also frequent restroom visits) Now I am free of any troublesome or somewhat bothered side effects. Doc put me on 2.5 mg to see how it would effect me. I think I am doing alright and feeling better now than I have in years! I recommend this to anyone who is willing to make a change for themselves and know that a "magic" pill isn't always needed but sometimes recommended! We are all facing a similar journey with this and I feel so much better knowing that that I am not alone! Please feel free to message or email me to just chat or blow off some extra steam! I am prescibed this medicine for manic depression/bipolar/OCD

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futuravsgillsans

Newly Joined

Registered: April 2008
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Sun April 20, 2008 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5 

 
PROS: Feeling more stable and 'connected' to the ground, clearer thinking, less delusional and symptoms of psychosis have reduced, weight loss, at a level where I can deal with the problems I have been running away from through psychosis and able to be worked w
CONS: Extreme restlessness, increased anxiety, inability to sit still, sleeplessness, excessive worrying, feeling exhausted but full of anxious energy all the time. The insomnia has been driving me crazy.

I live in Australia and I have been on Abilify for about 3 weeks now, I get it free from my local community mental health center in 5mg doses. I am a Paranoid Schizophrenic with Psychosis, Depression, Anxiety, and Bi Polar. Initially I had extreme restlessness, I didn't sleep for about 2 weeks (week 3 and only now my sleep is stabalising somewhat) I was sweating alot and my body temperature was markedly raised. It peps you up but it's a false sense of having energy because when you try to do something you realize your mind wants to but your body is tired. On a number of occasions I went pale and felt like I was going to pass out. I decided I would stick with it though once the side effects wear off because the stability it gives me is well worth it and better than being isolated and psychotic. My dosage is going to be increased to 10mg soon but I think I will wait another month or so before I consent to it.

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mmripps
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New Member

Registered: April 2008
Posts: 1
Tue April 15, 2008 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: $50.00| Rating: 10 

 
PROS: descisive,clear,unconstrained thinking
CONS: feeling of being in a fog for first 2 months

after 25 years of attempts and failures of different drugs the last year has been the greatest of my life thanks to abilify i cannot praise it enough

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psychoticms
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Newly Joined

Registered: March 2008
Sun March 30, 2008 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4 

 
PROS: a bit more mental stability
CONS: tiredness left me after one day; no side effect yet have been on 15mg for a month

i feel slightly more energetic, my concentration is a little poor but i don't know if that is from the drug. i haven't gained any weight not like the 2 sizes and the milk expression on one month of 5mg Olanzapine. i still have bouts of anxiety but i'm sure that is healthy? i'm exercising more so hoping i will not gain weight and hoping it will also clear up my concentration issues.

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LBear1947

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Registered: March 2008
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5
Fri March 21, 2008 Recommended? No | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2 

 
PROS: none
CONS: made me instantly manic

After being manic for a month and doing all sorts of things I shouldn't have including selling my Rav4 I got depressed and stayed there.

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kymmys30
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New Member

Registered: January 2008
Posts: 1
Sat March 1, 2008 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: $30.00| Rating: 0 

 
PROS: ???haven't taken it yet
CONS: ??hopefully none of those posted previously

I was just prescribed this..Now i'm scared from everyone's reviews. I'm already overweight and have kids and a job..can't take any chances - I sleep very hard so maybe this will help me get up earlier and stay up..

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5150kat
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Junior Member

Registered: July 2007
Location: California
Posts: 19
Tue February 19, 2008 Recommended? No | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3 

 
PROS: helped a little with anxiety
CONS: drooling, tired but awake, restlessness, irritablility

I was put on this med in an acute Mixed episode while hospitalized. I was STARTED on 30 mg. It made me a total space cadet. Then after I got out I went down to 15mg. It made me drool, have blurry vision, and made me tired and wired at the same time. I didnt notice any effects that were positive. I still felt irritable if not more so. I still couldnt concentrate or focus..... I didnt like it so I stopped taking it on my own. My pdoc was used to me doing this because if I dont like a med I just stop taking it. I am now recieving ECT, and have had dramatic results! Its better than any medication.....

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clskrock

Member

Registered: February 2008
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 98
Fri February 15, 2008 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8 

 
PROS: Has helped with focus and concentration. Not as sedating as Zypreza for me.
CONS: none

More positives than negatves for me.

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alexx
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Newly Joined

Registered: February 2008
Sun February 10, 2008 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4 

 
PROS: decreased the anxiety, cleared up the "brain fog", decreased repetitive/intrusive thoughts, decreased derealization
CONS: restlessness the first few weeks (which does go away), extreme drowsiness/sleepiness later

Not sure what's worse - the symptoms that it helped to decrease or the side effects it introduced, especially feeling sleepy during the day and extremely unpleasant feeling that I get every morning upon waking up (being in a weird "zombie"-like state between sleeping and being awake, unable to fall asleep again yet struggling very hard to try to fully awaken myself and get out of bed). I will probably have to decrease the dosage and if that won't work out - probably switch to something else. I will still recommend at least trying this drug since like with all of the drugs of this type it might still work for you with very little or no side effects.

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runnergrrl
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Registered: January 2008
Posts: 1
Wed January 23, 2008 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2 

 
PROS: Weight loss.
CONS: Sleep loss, nausea, stomach pain, extreme anxiety, jumping out of skin feeling.

I am only on 10 mg so far. Working my way up to 15 mg. Don't know the cost yet due to sample packages. Side effects are terrible. I have not been able to eat due to really bad stomach pain. All I can eat are saltine crackers and Sprite. I have lost 5 lbs in a week and I am not overweight, I weigh 135 and I am 5'8". I can't sleep well either. Takes forever to go to sleep and then I wake up constantly all night. Very tired all day and would take a nap but I am scared that it will only add to the problems with sleeping at night. I don't like the drug so far and I am considering stopping it. Although I don't want to go back on Lithium. Hopefully side effects will go away quickly. **2 weeks later: I am off Abilify. It made me feel as if I was going to jump out of my skin. I couldn't sit still. I couldn't even watch tv for 5 minutes. Doctor said that side effect won't go away. Had to stop. Now I am trying to find a drug to replace lithium.

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MatE
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Junior Member

Registered: December 2007
Posts: 15
Thu January 17, 2008 Recommended? No | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5 

 
PROS: don't know
CONS: can't sleep but sleepy all the time.

Was prescribed this for depression for some reason. Don't want to be on it anymore.

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ehrhar

Member

Registered: December 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 37
Wed January 16, 2008 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7 

 
PROS: Good treatment for hostility, impulse spending
CONS: Experienced akathisia at 10mgs went down to 5mg

Feel kind of numb and have low self-esteem. Perhaps because of other medications. So not fair to judge Abilify for those isssues. But the hostility and spending issues definetly were reduced upon being medicated with Abilify.

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CMac73
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Newly Joined

Registered: December 2007
Thu December 6, 2007 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8 

 
PROS: Similar to Olanzapine nice effect without concerns
CONS: Slight anxiety, swallowing more noticable but less at lower dose

I am taking this drug at 5mg instead of Olanzapine for Bipolar Mixture Affective. I was on Abilify at 15mg before but was anxious and my swallowing was causing me concern. I liked Olanzapine but the side effects of the drug scare me. I have tried Largactil, Risperidone, Seroquel, Olanzapine and Abilify. I think I am going to go with Abilify at a low dose. Olanzapine makes you feel good mentally and Abilify gives me a good feeling but with side effects I am going to manage.

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Barbarian
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Newly Joined

Registered: November 2007
Fri November 30, 2007 Recommended? No | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2 

 
PROS: Somewhat effective for mania.
CONS: Extreme anxiousness, such as grinding your teeth or sitting on the edge of your seat; weight-gain; muscle aches; very expensive for such ineffectiveness.

Would I recommend this drug for any type of bipolar disorder? No. Hell no. One of the WORST drugs to take. It will make you so impulsive that you'll literally jump out of your seat and wish that you were totally out of your skin. On top of this, be prepared for your muscles to ache for apparently no reasons whatsoever. At least for me, this drug was MINIMALLY effective for mania. It does NOTHING for depression. For the price, this drug is terrible. It's ineffective and expensive. For the love of God, don't waste your money!

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LR7218
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Newly Joined

Registered: November 2007
Tue November 27, 2007 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1 

 
PROS: Made me less drowsy than other meds in it's class
CONS: Side effects!

I was really hopeful when I began taking this drug because of the chance that it would not make me so drowsy like drugs like Seroquel. But the side effects came on pretty quickly and were really nasty. The worst ones were the restlessness and difficulty swallowing. Both side effects were so intolerable, I had to stop taking Abilify. I won't not recommend it because I think it holds a lot of promise for other people.

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Mr_Unstable

Junior Member

Registered: November 2007
Location: Belgium
Posts: 16
Thu November 22, 2007 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8 

 
PROS:
CONS:

No Side effects in my case, although I have that véry often with other medication. This is what made my psychosis totally dissapear after 6 years, because I never took the other ones because of side-effects.

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candi1128
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Newly Joined

Registered: October 2007
Tue October 30, 2007 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7 

 
PROS: helped my racing thoughts and negative thinking. also helped my daydreaming and manic episodes
CONS: Agitated feeling; drunk-like dreamy like state (hard to explain because Im not daydreaming). Antsy but tired; axious but tired and have trouble sleeping through the night.

I feel tired but antcy at the same time like I cant sit still but could go asleep; its very strange. Also Im very irretable and agitated and I have been waking up atleast 3 times a night. In addition I feel like high almost or not in a reality like state wich is also a very strange feeling. I thought at first it was from not sleeping that good (for the first week I couldnt sleep much), but last night I slept a good 8 hours and still feel this way. Also yesterday I became very anxious and felt like I was going to throw up. But this does help with my manic state and my extreme mood swings which can me pretty bad sometimes. Still Im not sure about this medication, ive only been on it for 2 weeks and when my Dr attempted to up me dose I became so tired I couldnt keep my eyes open at 6:00 at night (and I took the medication the night before). I was like that for about 3 days and went back to the lower dose. Im going to try it for another week and if the side effects do not subside Im going to stop it. I would recommend trying this if your as moody as I am and your mood swings are extreme (expecially the manic part) but if your more depressed then manic I wouldnt recommend it.

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Derkon

New Member

Registered: September 2007
Location: USA, CO
Posts: 5
Mon October 1, 2007 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: $3.59| Rating: 7 

 
PROS: It removed 5 meds from my regimen.
CONS: Price before insurance.

I like the effects of this medication, but not the price.

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RedSmurf
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Newly Joined

Registered: September 2007
Sat September 15, 2007 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6 

 
PROS: Happy/Stable
CONS: Blurrrred Vision, slight drunken feelings

2 weeks in Restlesness was intense not tremers though, just...cant freakin sleep...also on a BetaBlocker for the restlessness

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BerBer
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Newly Joined

Registered: September 2007
Sun September 2, 2007 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10 

 
PROS: Stable Moods
CONS: None to speak of yet

Just started the pill so I've only taken 4 pills so far without any negative side effects. I feel like I have more stable moods but am not sure if the Lorazepam (ativan) I'm taking has anything to do with it. I'll repost in a couple weeks to update.

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ghostmed
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Newly Joined

Registered: August 2007
Thu August 30, 2007 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: $35.00| Rating: 8 

 
PROS: Finally fixed my bipolar issues - feel more stabalized, sex is great now, have emotion
CONS: first week was awful, had to go from 5 to 7.5 to 10 mg. Suffer from akathisia more and the price is high even with my insurance.

I am getting medicated and can still have great sex. I never thought I would be able to type that sentence after Lexapro, prozac, wellbutrin, effexor, and cymbalta left me in ruins over the course of 10 years. After battling depression for years, I beat it only to suffer from bipolar disorder. Lexapro was incorrectly prescribed to me and made me feel like a zombie. Abilify is really good so far after my second week - though the first few days were a nightmare. The Akathisia (restlessness) is pretty bad for me right now though - I am working on it. Oh and take it at night. That is what I have been doing to get rid of most of the side effects (I sleep the side effects off).

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mystikraz
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Newly Joined

Registered: August 2007
Wed August 29, 2007 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8 

 
PROS: stability with Bipolar
CONS: felt drunk but went away after a few weeks

I have been on a lot of meds in my life. This so far has been my miracle drug. I only had one side effect and it only lasted for the first couple of weeks then it went away. I felt a little drunk. This has helped my temper,has made me stable with my Bipolar and has even helped with my depression. It is very expensive if you dont have insurance though.

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wbl526

Member

Registered: March 2007
Location: Northeast - USA
Posts: 44
Fri August 24, 2007 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: $20.00| Rating: 4 

 
PROS: Made me calmer and more aloof so I'm not worrying about things all the time.
CONS: Tiredness, Blurred Vision, Body Aches

I'm very exhausted taking Abilify but I'm going to switch from taking it in the morning to taking it at night and see if that helps. I've only been taking it two weeks so hopefully the side effects will go away, I'll give it another week and see. I feel tired and restless at the same time all the time but I am calmer since starting Abilify.

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lhanson

Junior Member

Registered: August 2007
Posts: 7
Tue August 21, 2007 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8 

 
PROS: Relieved depression, motivated energy.
CONS: nausea (in beginning), restlessness, sleep issues.

Horrible nausea and thn uncomfortable stomach for the first week or two. Tiredness and blurred vision was very bad in the beginning, but once I shifted the time I took it to the evening, the tiredness wasn't a problem. The restlessness can get annoying. I like the fact that I don't have to sleep as much while I'm on it because I have excessive sleep issues, but it does cause me to wake up throughout the night..but I still sleep hard and well. Within the first couple of weeks, my severe and lingering depression subsided. It also helped with my excessive tiredness during the day by increasing my energy.

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biplr4me

Junior Member

Registered: July 2007
Location: Waukesha, WI
Posts: 8
Tue July 31, 2007 Recommended? No | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5 

 
PROS: Helps mood swings
CONS: Kills off all of your emotions. You become numb. Very hard to get off of.

I became a very numb. True to it's use that is what it's supposed to do. I got tired of it and went off of it with my Doctor's consent.Withdrawl is a nightmare when going off it. I finally felt better after 3 months. Unless your Bipolar cycles are out of control I would be reluctant to use it.

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toocute
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Junior Member

Registered: June 2007
Location: Cheese Country, USA
Posts: 8
Mon June 11, 2007 Recommended? No | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1 

 
PROS: depression is gone; self-doubt & self-deprecation are lower
CONS: akathesia, blurred vision, constant vertigo, tiny pupils, even lower blood sugar, elevated blood pressure, loose stool, excessive thirst, weight gain, excessive hunger

I've been on this medication for three weeks at a ridiculously low dose, and still have debilitating side-effects. I have been on leave from work for a week because I can't maintain accuracy with the vertigo (aka intense dizziness). The obsessive thoughts have definitely abated, as well as the depression. One really bad part is that I'm having more grandiose thoughts and more of them, and my pressured speech is more frequent too. Bi-polar II is a new diagnosis for me, and we're just starting to test the drug therapies. I'm wondering if this drug just affects Bi-Polar II differently than Bi-Polar I. I sure hope that the other drugs out there aren't worse than this one.

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Orlin
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Newly Joined

Registered: May 2007
Sat May 19, 2007 Recommended? No | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1 

 
PROS: None
CONS: Akathisia, depression, anxiety, insomnia, heartburn, drowsiness, cognitive impairment.

My experience with Abilify was the worst of any med I've ever taken. I was close to suicidal by the end of three days of constant restlessness without a wink of sleep. I could not recommend this drug to anybody - I've heard of too many people having the same experience re: akathisia with this drug. Approach with caution.

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Psychotic_Phil

Veteran Member

Registered: February 2007
Location: Seattle WA USA
Posts: 303
Fri April 27, 2007 Recommended? No | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1 

 
PROS: Relieves psychosis
CONS: Experience nausea, akatheisa, sleeping much less and tiredness.

My opinion on Abilify is it is the worst drug I have tried since the onset of my illness. It relieves psychosis for sure, but the side effects, even at 5 mg are unbearable. I would not recommend this treatment to anyone.

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tawny762

Newly Joined

Registered: April 2007
Location: Illinois
Mon April 16, 2007 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3 

 
PROS: gives some balance and stability.
CONS: wordloss, forgetfulness, weight gain, spacy. Too many side effects for me to deal with.

hopefully my doctor takes me off of this. It doesn't work as well as I thought it would. It actually did things that I wasn't use to dealing with.

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DePressMe

Grand Magnate

Registered: March 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 3921
Wed April 4, 2007 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: $1.15| Rating: 9 

 
PROS: No side effects. Helped with intrusive thoughts. Helped with psychosis.
CONS: takes forever to find the right dose

Excellent med for me. No side effects and really helped me with intrusive thoughts and some psychotic symptoms.

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manic1
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Newly Joined

Registered: February 2007
Location: Kansas City Area
Wed February 28, 2007 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10 

 
PROS: clear thinking, weight loss, no drowsiness, increased ability to concentrate
CONS: very expensive

I've been able to lose some of the 80 pounds I gained while taking Zyprexa. I have absolutely no side effects with Abilify, and I take 30mg/day. The manic behavior is gone, I can concentrate better, there is no drowsiness or "drunk" feeling after taking the med, or no inner restlessness. On the bad side---if I didn't have insurance, I could never afford this medication.

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joan2
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Newly Joined

Registered: January 2007
Fri January 26, 2007 Recommended? No | Total Spent: $13.00| Rating: 2 

 
PROS: abates hostility
CONS: fatigue,weight gain,increased blood sugar,word loss,foggy

I would almost rather live with the symptoms than take this medication. It is a constant struggle to stay on the lowest dose I can manage. Weight gain and diabetes are certainly as upsetting as any mental illness.

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Anonymous
Sat January 13, 2007 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10 

 
PROS: It works, without side effects.
CONS:

This drug has revolutionised my life. I no longer have the memory loss or fatigue associated with previous medication, and I am able to work and have a normal life again.

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cricks181
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Newly Joined

Registered: October 2006
Location: new mexico
Mon November 27, 2006 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8 

 
PROS: My self esteem has increased after just 3 short weeks.
CONS: dry mouth is terrible. I can live with it.

I have only been on the drug for 3 weeks already my thoughts aren't as negative towards myself mainly. My self esteem is on the rise. I am tierd alot but that has to do with other health issues.

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abilifyguy

Member

Registered: November 2006
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 68
Wed November 1, 2006 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10 

 
PROS: Fantastic drug
CONS: none

No side effects for me. This drug (at 30mg/day) cleared my mind of intrusive thoughts and made me able to concentrate better. I'm more alert and able to live in the present. Disturbing thoughts that used to obsess me, I can now dismiss. I did have some insomnia initially, but got over it.

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Anonymous
Mon October 23, 2006 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9 

 
PROS: gives me energy, works well with bipolar I
CONS: insomnia (even w/ambien)

all around good drug for me.

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complic8d

Grand Member

Registered: January 2005
Location: state of desperation
Posts: 799
Tue October 3, 2006 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7 

 
PROS: helped bipolar II
CONS: side effects

Abilify seemed to be helping me stay stabilized, but the side effects got so bad I had to stop it. The side effect I experienced was akathesia. It's this inner feeling of restlessness, having to move (not tremors). They had to give me Inderal (a beta blocker) to help with this side effect while I was weaning off of it. It did seem to help with bipolar symptoms though, and I didn't experience any weight gain.

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Sun September 24, 2006 Recommended? Yes | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10 

 
PROS: cleared up my delusional thinking & helped stabilize my mood
CONS: weight gain, sedation, have been unable to get long-term nursing home care insurance due to being on it

Has been very helpful in stopping delusional thinking due to bipolar I, pretty stable mood-wise on it, but also take several other medications so it seems to be a combined effect. Have gained about 40 lbs. on it & having trouble trying to take it off.

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Beautiful_Pain

Grand Member

Registered: May 2004
Location: Inside myself
Posts: 986
Sun July 9, 2006 Recommended? No | Total Spent: $25.00| Rating: 6 

 
PROS: It helped with my auditory hallucinations
CONS: Forgetfullness

I couldn't remember things I had just done, if I had eaten or taken meds, even what I had just said. I, personally, will never go back on Abilify or recommend it to anyone. It did help, but the price of side effects were too high for me to continue.

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Anonymous
Sun July 2, 2006 Recommended? No | Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1 

 
PROS: none to report
CONS: heavy weight gain

I became destabilized and gained @ 20lbs. In a short period of time.

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