Two antipsychotic meds together?

xRavenx · May 13, 2019, 08:36 PM

I'm just wondering if anyone else is on 2 AP's? I am on Latuda with Seroquel. However, my Seroquel was lowered ever since beginning Latuda. There's information out there that only one antipsychotic is recommended (typically). I'm also on a mood stabilizer and benzo.

Did you notice any significant side effects, or is that combo overall working out well for you? How effective has it been? I'm a little nervous and would like to hear experiences from others.

Thanks.

splitimage · May 14, 2019, 08:26 AM

I'm on 2 AP's. I take 800 mg of Seroquel, and 5 mg of Risperidone daily. I've been on this combination for 6 years, and it really helps me. Each drug has its own effect on me.

The risperidone mainly helps as a booster to my Anti-d's and with stopping dissociation.

The Seroquel does more for anxiety.

The only complaint I have about being on two is the EPS side effects I get from them, seem to be worse. I find my muscles are really stiff, and the combo is sedating.

Hope this helps.

splitimage

TicTacGo · May 14, 2019, 12:57 PM

Hi and thanks for the question!

I have been on two APs before and did not, at that time, experience any issues. I think it really depends on the combination. For example, two APs that cause drowsiness may have a compounded sedating effect.

As splitimage has said, the one drug (risperidone) has its benefits from helping the antidepressants and Seroquel has a good effect on anxiety because it happens to target both dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain.

Splitimage has also raised a very good point- using two antipsychotics at once may be causing EPS, though a doctor would know for sure. It may also be the high dosages of each medication.
I was once on the Seroquel, as well as a typical antipsychotic, flupentixol. Seroquel was more for mood stabilising, but the flupentixol at low dosages acts as an antidepressant.

I'd say see how it goes and contact your doctor if anything comes up~
Good luck!

xRavenx · May 14, 2019, 08:25 PM

Thanks for your responses!! I am willing to continue to see how it goes. It's been nearly 2 weeks since being on this combo, and I did not notice any major side effects yet. Hopefully that will continue.

WastingAsparagus · May 14, 2019, 10:48 PM

I am on Zyprexa and Abilify at the same time (as well as two antidepressants: Effexor XR and mirtazapine), and I notice some side effects. The first main concerning one is shakiness. There's no way I've found not to be on the combination of meds I take though. So I have to live with the tremor. It's terrible because it flares up in situations that make me nervous.

sarahsweets · May 15, 2019, 02:18 AM

I take Latuda and geodon and its been ok for nearly a year.

Blue_Bird · May 15, 2019, 11:13 AM

Yes, I'm on two and haven't had any problems, good luck

May 16, 2019, 01:09 PM

xRavenx, perhaps you recall that I now take Seroquel XR (600 mg) with a starter dose if Latuda (20 mg), plus others. It's too soon for me to know how they'll work together, but I have no complaints after two Latuda doses.

I think that ideally it is good to only need one antipsychotic, but sometimes more is what it takes. In the past, I took as many as three antipsychotics at the same time, along with other moodstabilizers. At that time I took a full dose of Geodon (160 mg), a small dose of Navane (5 mg), and maybe 150 to 350 mg Seroquel XR. I was being weaned off Navane and having my Seroquel XR dose increased.

I have needed fairly high doses of antipsychotics partly because I am vulnerable to mania and mixed states, and partly because my Tegretol XR (carbamazepine ER) affects their effectiveness, making me need more. If a highest recommended or tolerated dose (i.e. Geodon 160 mg) doesn't do the full job, I need a second one.

still_crazy · May 17, 2019, 04:15 PM

hi. i think if its short term, that's different. the information ive read looked at -big groups- of people and found more problems than benefits, but i think those people were being treated with 2+ tranquilizers over the long haul. and of course... as the saying goes...'your mileage may vary.'

back when i was goin thru it, id take risperidone on top of abilify, now and then. id wake up with a stuffy nose, all sortsa groggy...and not so agitated. success!

Bird Feeder · May 17, 2019, 06:39 PM

I take 2 anti-psychotics, Abilify and Clozaril. Actually I have been on at least 2 anti-psychotics for the past 20 yrs. I like this combination the best:-). I take the clozaril at night and the Abilify in the morning.

Good luck to you.....

Seqoya · Jun 05, 2019, 11:58 PM

I am on the abilify shot once per month and rexulti pills daily. It helps but I would like to go off the shot if ok. I'm also on a mood stabilizer and a anti depressant. I have schizoaffective disorder and ptsd with dissociative features.

Guiness187055 · Jun 06, 2019, 12:24 PM

I was taking 20mg of abilify in the morning and 200mg of seroquel at night with no issues.

xRavenx · Jun 10, 2019, 09:25 PM

Sorry that I'm late to responding again to this... thanks for your input and for sharing your experiences! So far, I am not noticing anything significant on Latuda with Seroquel, except sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night. But it's only for a brief second (strangely, like being shaken out of sleep... not sure if I'm describing it accurately), but then I go right back to sleep. I'm not even 100% sure if that's due to the Latuda, but that's when I noticed it. However, I don't think it's a real concern. I think the 2 AP's are definitely needed at this time for me, because I felt some relief after the add-on and Seroquel is the one medication that helps me with sleep. Hopefully, this will continue.

Seqoya · Jun 30, 2019, 10:10 PM

I am now trying to wean off of the Abilify.

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Two antipsychotic meds together?

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