Aripiprazole/Ablify - Experiences

[zowie]

Hi, I've just started Aripiprazole on 10mg because I've been hearing a single voice and experiencing 'hallucinations'.

I was just wondering if anyone who has experience with this medication could give me some feedback? I'm a bit scared about taking it, my voice keeps telling me it's bad for me or that it could kill me.

Thanks

[Steel Maiden]

It will not kill you.
I take Aripiprazole 15mg. I had odd side-effects for the first two weeks (predominantly hypoglycaemia and partial paralysis lasting for half an hour to an hour at a time), but after that they completely wear off and I'm fine now with side-effects, except some balance problems and minor movement problems at times during the day. For most people, it is weight-neutral and does not cause too much tiredness.
Aripiprazole works by keeping the dopamine levels at a fairly correct level by pushing it down if its too high and up if its too low. For me, it is better than olanzapine, amisulpride and risperidone because those three just lower the dopamine levels like a murder weapon, regardless of how high they are actually at the times.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain.

[zowie]

Thank you, I was curious about what it actually did but no one would tell me which chemical it adjusted. They just said 'It will help you.'
I felt really sick the first couple of days and now I get really uncomfortable restlessness which I assume is because of the meds?

[Jetforce]

Yes...most likely due to meds

My experiences r fine with abilify...no horrible real side effects except for nausea, feeling zoned out and tiredness in general.

Hope it works out for u tho ;)

[Steel Maiden]

http://www.drugs.com/abilify.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aripiprazole

And for this one, you will have to scroll down a bit:
http://www.toddlertime.com/med/abilify.htm

[Ami]

i feel proper tired

it helps me not going into manic episodes, and puts me asleep

[Steel Maiden]

Different people react differently to the same meds.

[MeganAlmighty]

^^agreed.It all depends.
I've not long started taking it but i have noticed muscle twitches in my face and hands since i started the course and im sure its the meds.

[Steel Maiden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by True

^^agreed.It all depends.
I've not long started taking it but i have noticed muscle twitches in my face and hands since i started the course and im sure its the meds.

It definitely is.

[zowie]

Ami, I get really tired too. It knocks me out, especially because I'm taking it with Mirtazapine.

[Ami]

*hopefully* it should pass. this is my 5th week on it..and im improving.. slowly xx

[Steel Maiden]

Hopefully these things will pass.

Is it only me, or does caffeine not work when you're on antipsychotics?

[Ami]

pro-plus works a little but you're not supposed to take em on antipsychs anyways

[Steel Maiden]

Pro-plus doesn't work for me either. I'm caffeine-resistant it seems. Black coffee doesn't work. Red Bull is nothing but a drink with a taste. I just rely on the fact that Abilify doesn't make me sleepy as such, which is a real difference to the zombifying olanzapine.

[zowie]

I took a few pro-plus the other day. Why aren't you supposed to take them with APs?

[Steel Maiden]

I drank a can of Red Bull and had a strong coffee today. Did the whole thing in well under 10 minutes. I don't even know why I did it. I'm so reckless and irrational I just do stupid things without any reason.

[Ami]

ermm.. it says in the information leaflet. Not sure why.

might be an unreliable source but...

Quote:

• Caffeine can interfere with how some other medicines work. Therefore do not take Pro Plus if you are taking any of the following medicines:
• antidepressants (e.g. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors or lithium carbonate)
• anxiolytics (also known as tranquillizers)
• antipsychotic medicines such as clozapine
• sedatives such as diazepam
• theopylline (used to treat asthma)
• disulfiram used to treat chronic alcoholism

http://www.mypharmacy.co.uk/alternat...s/pro_plus.htm

[Steel Maiden]

Ack. I'm glad that I don't drink coffee. Although I usually down 2 or 3 cans of Red Bull a week, each one drunk in under 10 mins. Not beacuse I'm tired, but because of the taste of Red Bull.