I just took my first Abilify 5mg tablet last night around 9:30 before bed. I have had an awful headache since. And everytime I try to get moving I get nauseated, lightheaded and have to lay back down. I've been in bed all day - just trying to get up now and I feel the headache coming back on. Supposed to start Lamictal next week then add an antidepressant in 1 month. Thing is if it's going to be this hard..... I don't know if I can stand it. Silly but I want to take my kids to see Shrek tomorrow and if I can't even get out of bed...ugggh. I took Zyprexa before at bedtime and it did knock me out the first day after but no headache and no nausea and then the next day I was fine. How quickly will these go away?
2007-05-25 11:05:30 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
Its probably not from the Abilify. It takes a month for Abilify to even start working. There must be some other reason for your headache. Dont blame it on Abilify until you reallly know. It takes 30 days for enough of it to build up in your system to start working.
2007-05-25 11:15:26 · answer #1 · answered by brandontremain 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Abilify is an antipsychotic that was first developed to treat schizophrenia, but in November 2009, the FDA approved Abilify to be used by children ages 6 to 17 with Asperger Syndrome and other autism spectrum disorders. Studies have shown that it is also effective in treating irritability in adults, and there are many on the spectrum who take the drug.
Abilify was approved for treating depression in adults in November 2007, which not only means that it can be prescribed to anyone on the spectrum who may see benefit from it, but depression is also another common effect of any Autism Spectrum Disorder. Abilify has the unique ability to help reduce irritability and meltdown severity while also helping to treat one of the most common co-morbid disorders that accompany Asperger Syndrome.
Abilify works by blocking receptors in the brain's dopamine pathways, which reduces the overall levels of dopamine in the brain. It is theorized that many mental disorders like schizophrenia and autism may be due to high levels of dopamine.
The medication's most common side effects for both children and adults are weight gain and increased appetite. Adults may also feel restless or anxious, or develop diabetes. Children, on the other hand, may feel lethargic. There are some more worrisome and even potentially permanent or fatal side effects, however, and a psychiatrist should always work to ensure that the potential benefits outweigh the risks, as well as monitor the patient for side effects.
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Abilify is most often taken as a pill, though it can also be injected. Finding the right dosage is a trial-and-error process. Psychiatrists will often under-prescribe patients at first, and then bump them up only if need be. It can take the body some time to adjust to the medication and respond. That's why it is important to not stop taking it, despite feeling better or like it's no longer necessary.
Treating depression and decreasing irritability and meltdown severity have been two major challenges of treating Asperger Syndrome. That's why Abilify has been a great boon to the autism community.
2014-05-04 22:20:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Abilify Headache
2016-10-14 10:39:13 · answer #3 · answered by cefferillo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's a suggestion -- break your abilify in half or smaller. Ease yourself in increasing the dose every 2 or 3 days. Work your way up to a full one. Hopefully you won't see anymore of the adverse side effects.
Having tried all the other ones out there - and they didn't work out for me, Abilify is a godsend. It covers 98% of all my symptoms, something none of the other meds did.
Good luck !
2007-05-25 11:59:19 · answer #4 · answered by Hope 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I took Abilify (20 mg daily) I had no side effects.
If you stopped another medication in the past 6 weeks you may be experiencing withdrawal.
2007-05-25 18:02:15 · answer #5 · answered by skanktale 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All the medications in this category have side effect and yes they can be immediate. Your doctor should find the medication that has the least side effects with the best benefits. This is a trial and error process.don't wait 4 weeks if you are feeling this bad this soon!
2007-05-25 11:53:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, these are some of the possible side effects with the drug. If it's causing you to not be able to function, you may want to contact the doctor and explain the problems, just to be sure you're not having an adverse reaction. Better to be safe than really sick.
2007-05-25 11:12:11 · answer #7 · answered by kiki 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋