Anyone have good experiences/results taking Abilify for Bipolar I?

Question

I've heard a lot of bad things about Abilify, has anyone had any success with it? If so, what's your diagnosis and the dosage that you take?

Answer 1

personally no, I did have a bad reaction to it but I have other friends in my women's bipolar support group that have found it to be very helpful. as for the dose that really is a one to one thing as we are all different and the medications work different for us all. good luck take care

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

I am bipolar and had a bad experience with Abilify. It gave me akathisia and made me very agitated and really worsened my anxiety and panic attacks.

I take low dose lithium and have no side effects, and really believe in lithium as still being the best bipolar treatment.

However, I also know we are all different and have heard of some good results for Abilify so it is probably worth a try.

Good luck - it is SO worth it to find the right treatment!

Answer 4

Abilify is not for use in psychotic conditions that are related to dementia. Abilify has caused fatal heart attack and stroke in older adults with dementia-related conditions. Stop using Abilify and call your doctor at once if you have the following symptoms: fever with stiff muscles and rapid heart rate; uncontrolled muscle movements; symptoms that come on suddenly such as numbness or weakness, severe headache, and problems with vision, speech, or balance. Abilify can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Abilify.

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Abilify.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking Abilify.

Abilify is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

Abilify is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression).

Answer 5

I've had a great experience with it but I'm diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder (depressive type). I take 30mg a day. It keeps away the crazy thought patterns, hallucinations and some OCD tendencies I have. I also take effexor for my major depression and klonopin for my anxiety.

Answer 6

BPII - gave me akathisia, but I have heard success stories for others (I and II) in the depressed phase, just not as monotherapy.