Aripiprazole experiences? After bad risperidone side effects

[Wellingtons]

Sorry I tried searching for aripiprazole but couldn't find much.

I had really bad low blood pressure and lactation with risperidone. Aripiprazole is for mood stabilising and suspicious thoughts, andagitation. Lamotrigine sent me wild.

Any experiences? Preferably good ones! I'm only taking 10mg to start.

[Sketchy]

I'm on aripiprazole because of side effects from the risperidone. My prolactin levels are too high. So far I haven't had any side effects or noticed any change, and I'm still waiting to see if my periods will start again. I'll need to get blood test to see if it's working.
Sorry that's not helpful, but what I'm saying is I haven't had any worsening of side effects or new ones. Keep talking to your doctor and hopefully it will get sorted.

[Wellingtons]

Thank you- how long have you been on it? I've been told by my CPN it can be very activating at first and so I have diazepam. I felt restless yesterday but I feel great today, but it could all be placebo! I've also had a really good day in general! It's meant for mania so I know there's no chance of going high, but I'm hoping it's going to improve my mood which was low.

[Wellingtons]

Oh and the label says to avoid alcohol- I found alcohol totally destroyed me when taking risperidone.

[Sketchy]

I've only been on it a month. I haven't felt very active even though I was warned I could, but then I struggle with fatigue already.

I'm guessing you haven't been on it long? Maybe it's best to see how it goes and report any side effects to your doctor or cpn.

[Sketchy]

Also I'm still also taking risperidone. Hopefully the aripiprazole will stop the side effects. If not I've to try a new med.

Hopefully it works for you. Good luck.

[Pomegranate]

Personally I found it really activating for around a month to begin with and around two weeks after an increase. It's really helped stabilise my highs but has been less effective with my lows. Having said that, after the initial symptoms I now have barely any and have been on it around three months at 15mg, although this may be being increased shortly. My high symptoms have all but gone and we're currently trialling a low dose mirtazapine to help with lows. I hope it works for you.

[Eska]

I take it and actually found it sedating, especially at first. I don't have any other side effects.

ETA: it has pretty much stopped my highs, and helped a lot with how distressed and upset I was getting before.

[Wellingtons]

Eska- how long did it take to work/for you to notice a difference?

[Eska]

I'd say within the first month? I don't really remember though because I was so zoned out from it.

[shrimpy]

I've been on it for a few years.... it takes the edge off my lows and hasn't affected my weight or sleep pattern. Trazadone and olanzapine made me practically catatonic.... apripip. makes me calm but alert and I think more clearly.

[Wellingtons]

I'm a bit concerned about it stopping highs- like, it won't make me low will it? Should I up my anti depressant (only on 150mg venlafaxine)- although obviously I will speak to the doctor first.

[Beeblebrox]

I've just been taken off aripiprazole as it caused me to be restless and gave me dry eyes. (I'm now on quetiapine.)

[Blooman]

I was given Aripiprazole to try for my BPD but it messed me up well and truly. Also, do not drink on it. They always say that, and it's largely ignored, but take my word for it, do not drink on it!