[chris1964]

Hi,
18 months ago I was diagnosed with having type bipolar after and epic mixed event.

I am currently taking:
200mg of Lamictal
1mg of Clonozapam

I recently moved to a new state and started seeing a new PDOC.
He has given me a prescription for Abilify.
I have had no manic or depressive episodes since being diagnosed and taking the current medication I listed above.

Does anyone have any experience with Abilify?
Thank you,
Chris

[hamster-bamster]

You are taking a benign cocktail, except I would try to take Klonopi PRN (as needed) because some people build up benzos addiction, and if you take Klonopin PRN, you won't be at risk for that. Abilify is a heavyhitter antipsychotic drug which causes akathisia (an extremely bothersome side effect) in 25% of uses while lifting depression in only 13% of users, so the cost benefit analysis does not support its use, although if an individual patient lucks out and gets a relief from depression without akathisia, then for that person the drug makes sense. Its main marketing claim is relief from depression when added to an antidepressant, which is an exaggerated claim (13% is too low a figure), plus, you are not suffering from depression so the point is moot. It can protect against mania, and, another marketing spiel is that it is weight neutral, but several people on this board have reported major weight gain on Abilify. One person got tardive dyskinesia on Abilify, and that is probably the worst side effect because it is for life even after treatment is discontinued.

The new pdoc is probably of the overinsure everything persuasion, meaning that you have to challenge him with questions such as: "I am stable on my current drugs and I have never been psychotic. Why do you want me to take a major antipsychotic with many known side effects?"

Also, in case that matters, Abilify is very expensive.

[wildflowerchild25]

I agree with hamster. If you're stable there is no reason to add anything. I would politely refuse.

Abilify caused a mess for me mood wise. Plus, $650 a month until I met my deductible, and then $60 a month after that. No thanks.

Abilify seems to be the new go-to wonder drug for everything from Depression to bipolar to schizophrenia. Some people it helps and others it doesn't but bottom line is you don't sound like you need it.

[chris1964]

Thank you for taking time to answer. I just got home and checked and saw that two people had responded and what you said makes total sense. The Pdoc stopped listening after I told him What meds I am on and why I was on them. He started writing another prescription.
After doing some searching on Google I decided to not take the drug at least until i got a second opinion. Without my copay it was 991 per month. with the copy it was 841.
I talked with the pharmacist and he said about the same thing you did. The good does not seem to outweigh the bad.

Thank you for a detailed and well written response.

Chris

[chris1964]

The pharmacist said the same thing you did. If I am stable with what I am taking then i should just stay the course. HE said I should have some blood work done and I have that scheduled for next week.

I read the phamplet (book) that came with it. The side effects are scary and some of the studies seemed like they did not last very long.

Thank you so much.
Chris

[Victoria'smom]

My husband "feels human" on abilify. My son our right refuses to take his abilify but doesn't know how to express why.

[~Christina]

I tried it .. Made me want to eat my Sofa I quit it day 6 ...Its very expensive .. If your stable why rock the boat I say.

Good luck