You may have noticed that many people with bipolar disorder take Abilify.
Abilify is an antipsychotic medication- also known as a neuroleptic. It is used for treating psychosis and mania.
The generic name is Aripiprazole.
It’s a newer antipsychotic, so it’s called an atypical anti psychotic. It, along with the other atypicals such as Risperdal, Seroquel and Zyprexa has less side effects than the older drugs such as Thorazine and Haldol. Interestingly, research has shown that the newer anti psychotics are not more effective than the old drugs. They just have a lot less side effects.
This doesn’t mean they don’t have major side effects. They still do, but they’re easier to tolerate for many people.
A plus of Abilify is that it doesn’t seem to have as many weight gain problems associated with drugs such as Zyprexa, Seroquel and Risperdal. That is a plus. On the down side, Abilify can be extremely sedating for some (ME!) or very agitating for others (my friend Sherri). But…. research always comes out at first that can be disputed later. The Abilify and weight gain issue is still under scrutiny.
Abilify can help with mania and suicidal thoughts and is now being advertised as a booster medication for anti depressants. It comes in pill and liquid form.
Many people with bipolar disorder take anti psychotics. They just aren’t talked about as much as the mood stabilizers.
Julie
PS: I simply can’t imagine how much money Bristol Meyers Squibb (also called Otsuka Pharmaseuticals) is making off of Abilify. There seems to be an Abilify commercial every few minutes these days. The commercials talk about Abilify as a medication for depressioin- and yet they never mention that it’s an anit psychotic. I think they should have to.
I wish customers could get a cut of their profits. That would be nice wouldn’t it!
Related posts: Abilfy and Lamictal Side Effect: Akathisia | What is Zyprexa? | Bipolar Disorder Medications: What is Zyprexa? (Olanzapine) |
Hi, Julie,
I had to stop taking Abilify because of a fine tremor I developed in my hands. My handwriting changed; it was difficult to hold food on a fork, etc. It has been about three months since I stopped taking it, and the tremor is still there, though somewhat diminished. Hopefully, it will disappear with time, but according to my internist, Abilify can cause permanent tremors.
Dana
It might be a good idea to see a neurologist. This sounds alot like Dystonia and there are many medicines out there to help elevate your symptoms. A generic form of Cogentin called Benztropine and joined with another medicine called Acetazolamide which is generic for Diamox has been quite helpful for me. Don’t let fear keep you from seeking out a good neurologist. There are many medicines that can help you live with out this being in control of your life.
I have been taking Abilify for a few months now, along with high doses of Trileptal, Lamictal, Restoril, and daily Ativan. I am honestly sick of all these side effects and wonder if there are any other avenues of managing this disorder…has anyone tried? I am also developing the tremors in my arms & hands, and it scares me greatly. I feel sick to my stomach half the time, and the only drugs that make me feel better are the Ativan and Restoril for anxiety & sleep (both benzodiazapines). Any info greatly appreciated.
Hi Carmen,
I am limited in the meds I can take as well- the answer is a treatment plan- My book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder describes mine- as do my Health Cards. Take Charge is a good place to start – it’s in the library.
This blog also has a lot of treatment tips- if you look at the menu on the right there is a BP treatment category.
You are on a LOT of drugs that all have some strong side effects- I am not a doctor- as you know, but there are defintely ways to manage the illness more effectively so that you don’t have to be on those meds all of the time- when the mood swings are bad, people do tend to be on more drugs- my friend Sherri who has a lot of psychosis just had to go to a high level of Zyprexa- but it’s just to get her through a tough time. I use Ativan as needed in the same way.
I suggest you learn the complimentary ways to manage the illness and see how to reduce symptoms on your own. Then you can talk to your doctor and work out a plan! It really is so important not to reduce any drug on your own as they can have some major withdrawal effects- wow, I went off lamictal once and thought I was going to twitch into space.
There are ways to manage this illness- I do it every day- you can do it too. Julie
i am on the abilify. my worst side effects come from the lithium. i have bad hand tremor, 80 pd weight gain, excessive thirst and urination. its not fun!
Julie,
My family feels that if I just watch what I eat and exercise that I can avoid the weight gain that comes from lithium. I think that I can maybe limit the weight gain, but not completely. What do you think?
Holland
Hi Holland,
There is NO question that many of the meds use to manage bipolar disorder can cause weigth gain with no change in a person’s eating or exercise- this is especially true with anti-psychotics. Lithium can cause weight gain in a few ways- it acutally puts weight on the body -and it can increase the appetite so that a person eats way more than normal. It can also cause you to retain water. So, there is no question that the more you watch what you eat, the better you will feel when you’re on these drugs. But it’s also true that they can cause significant weight gain with no change in your eating habits. The more you watch what you eat, the better. It’s definitely a problem for me- and I have struggled with my weight ever since starting meds. oh how I wish they would cause weight loss! So, your family is right in some ways and misguided in others- the best solution is to watch what you eat no matter what medications you take. That is the only way to be sure you are doing the best you can for your body.
If you have tips for all of us, please send them along and I will make sure they get on the blog.
Julie
just thought you might want to check out this blogger’s blog on abilify and why she is stopping it.
nodifyouhearme.blogspot.com/2010/12/abilify.html
Hi Julie,
I am again late on my post. But I have been wanting to ask this question and no doctor has been able to help me. Abilify was a life saver for me, really a miracle drug. I took it for almost 4 years. Initially I had Akathesia so bad it was absolutely unbearable for me and everyone around me (especially sitting near me!) I was put on the Cogentin which helped the akathesia but it made me literally foam at the mouth. Ugh! Finally, after decreasing the Abilify to only 10mg daily I was ok. I have recently (June this year) quit taking the Abilify and I, strangely enough, have what I call ‘akathesia of the toes’. Weird, I know. But I curl and stretch my toes and they are so bad in my shoes, sometimes I can’t keep my foot on the gas pedal! The tips of my toes are callused and my nails bend and break. What is the deal? I have been to a neurologist and tested for bilateral venous blockage in my legs, but that wasn’t the problem. After much research, I have diagnosed myself with the problem being the Abilify. Is this permanent? What do I do? I am really going crazy!
Hi Heather- I will put this on my Ask Julie list and get to it soon. Julie