Can Abilify (aripiprazole) actually worsen depression?

1. 72

   stanwshuraposted 11 years ago

   Can Abilify (aripiprazole) actually worsen depression?
   
   I've read the pamphlets and even bought The Pill Book (I swear that every pharmacy sells this!) and so I know the answer, but can anyone explain how this med, technically an antipsychotic, yet prescribed not just for schizophrenia, but bipolar disorder, major depression, and "irritability" for those people on the autistic spectrum.  I just don't get how a med can either or both improve or worsen the same damned thing.  My hunch for me is that, even though it is prescribed as a "piggyback" antidepressant, it's making things worse.
   
   What are some people's thoughts (and/or experiences?), please.

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2. 60

   duffsmomposted 11 years ago

   I have never taken the drug so I likely shouldn't answer this. But any drug who cautions that suicidal thoughts or actions can be a side effect scares me to death. I just do not understand how it can benefit people.

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   1. 72

      stanwshuraposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I actually understand this effect, at least for a straight-up antidepressant.  Some folks are sooo depressed that they can't even plan a suicide or motivate themselves to carry it out.  Once the med starts to work, they pass through that danger zone.

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3. 55

   Frank Menchiseposted 11 years ago

   I have reasons to believe that Abilify can work both ways, because I have seen a member of my family taking it with disastrous effects to the patient.
   My theory is this; Abilify as the name suggests it is a drug that pushes the patient to do things or to think many things, so in a way it motivates the patient and it could be helpful if the patient is only unwilling to get motivated, but here the benefit stops!
   It stops because Abilify can damage the patient by making him/her to do a lot more that would be able to physically do; in other words patients that are already exhausted  take Abilify and try harder to do things that their body cannot afford to do without harming itself, and thus the patient can burn completely out and could become very ill indeed; I hope that this answers your question and helps you to make the right decision. I really hope that this answer is read by doctors of the mental health, so that they are more careful to prescribe Abilify. 
   One day I am going to write a hub about what happened to my family member that took Abilify, but this is going to happen when I feel more comfortable to talk about it all.

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   montylynposted 11 years ago

   This is what has happened with me...I suffer from Severe Clinical Depression and I was on Cymbalta and Forconcerta 54mg...and I was still very depressed with much anxiety and suicide tendencies..well the Dr  placed on Abilify tabs 10mg...and it's the best thing that could of happened to me...I can actually feel happy and have very good days. I am very a happy now and see life for what it really is ...so i would highly recommend it to anyone that feels liked I did ....hope this helps you some...huggies, Linda

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      Frank Menchiseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi montylyn, I am glad that Abilify has helped you, it seems that what you are taking is the right amount, but be warned from somebody that has seen its effects. Do not let your doctor increase this dose and thus drive you to the extreme? Good luck.

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   Kerry R Caronposted 11 years ago

   I have read in a website that "Abilify is an antipsychotic drug prescribed to treat mental disorders such as schizophrenia. It may be taken along with antidepressants to obtain additional relief from persistent symptoms of depression."
   Source: internationaldrugmart.com/abilify.html

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6. 64

   artist101posted 11 years ago

   
   
   A good source for information concerning side effects of medication includeing depression. Reference: drugs.com/ablify: Psychiatric side effects have frequently included depression, schizophrenic reaction, hallucination, hostility, paranoid reaction, suicidal thought, manic reaction, delusions, and abnormal dream. Emotional lability, panic attack, manic depressive reaction, and visual hallucination have been reported infrequently. Obsessive thought and derealization have been reported rarely. In addition, at least one case of worsening psychosis has been associated with aripiprazole (the active ingredient contained in Abilify).
   A medication can work for one person, and the next person can have a bad experience. Each of us are different, and react differently . Seems to be that women have more of a problem with side effects than men do. My thoughts are meds should be prescribed by weight of the patient, not the symptoms, and by age. It also should be taken into consideration the duration of the illness Finding the right physician that is willing to work with you is the first step. As well as a compassionate pharmacist. If anyone experiences worsening symptoms such as is described here they should consult a physician. Nine times out of ten, its the meds. DO NOT stop meds cold turkey, they should be dosed down, under the care of a physician. Most of the mental illnesses are a chemical glitch, or nutrient deficiency. Either not utilizing or receiving adequate nutrients. 
   There are numerous natural supplements, and approaches to mental illness, with fewer side effects, and very effective. I am not a doctor, but I would turn to natural approaches first. For mild symptoms, for moderate to severe consult a physician.
   This approach applies to all medications, not just abilify.

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   Kevin Goodwinposted 9 years ago

   It all depends on the person and how they react to the drug. In my case I did actually got worse but I do not jump to the conclusion that this medicine will make all people worse while being on this drug. Everyone reacts differently to these type of medications.

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   beckysue33posted 8 years ago

   It is possible. There are a lot of side effects of this medication.

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