just a quick Q

Ami · 21-01-2008, 09:00 PM

How long do medications take to work?

im on 150mg of lamotrigine and 15mg of aripiprazole and im so impatiant, i just want them to work soon... just sick of feeling crap x

sparklyshoes · 22-01-2008, 02:07 AM

Usually it takes a few weeks to get into your system and for you to start feeling the effects of the medication if it is right for you. The Lamotrigine is a mood stabilizer, on the info I've found you can start feeling effects straight away or it may take up to a month for you to start feeling the effects (thats the same for most ads) and they can higher the dosage up to around 400mg (thats usually if it's taken alone without any other medication). aripiprazole may take 2 weeks or longer to start feeling any impact. Hope you find this infor ok chickadee. Take care xx

one_step_closer · 22-01-2008, 11:15 AM

I know the feeling, try to think that every second that goes past it's hopefully getting closer to you feeling better. In the meantime take care of yourself and find other ways of helping you to feel good. I hope things start to improve for you soon. Please get in touch any time. Take care. xxx

88shelz · 22-01-2008, 11:32 AM

medication can take up to 8weeks to fully work.
bare with it though.

x-dying-inside-x · 22-01-2008, 04:34 PM

should take a few weeks but can take upto 6-8 weeks.

Ami · 24-01-2008, 05:08 PM

thanks.. hope they work soon!! xx

24-01-2008, 06:38 PM

I was told 4-8 weeks for aripripazole.

Ami · 24-01-2008, 07:04 PM

thanks .. its only been a week. lol. aripiprazole worked before like xx

romancandle · 25-01-2008, 01:42 AM

With Lamictal, it's really hard to tell how long it takes for it to start working. There's a fluctuation of effectiveness with this medication. It seems to be prescribed a lot as the initial medication, but to be honest, studies show that it's better to be added on to another medication [like Lithium for example if you're Bipolar, an add-on to an antidepressant if you have Unipolar depression. Seems to be good at staving off the depression in both disorders, to be honest]. Basically, what I'm mainly trying to get at is that Lamictal isn't a stable medication, better as an add-on med than a standalone treatment.

But a lot of people are still prescribed Lamictal by itself. I really didn't feel any stability until they added the Lithium. Still, may work. Who knows. Keep us posted.

I agree that it could be a month or so for the Abilify. Be as patient as you can :3