Aripiprazole Side Effects

Medications
1

I am wondering if anyone else who also takes Aripiprazole/Abilify experiences both ankathisia and sedation from the medication?

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2

Very normal, it can improve though. I’ve been on it, for over a year. I only have occasional akithisia, but im i do get somnolence enough to not be able to work

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3

Also, do you find the benefit of the medication improves over time? I’ve heard that it takes like two weeks to reach a steady state in our system, but does a few months worth of medication therapy yield different results from what I’m experiencing these first couple weeks? I just increased from 10 mg to 15 mg two weeks ago. I also take 75 to 100 mg of Seroquel at bedtime.

4

I had to start taking the Abilify at night time because it was knocking me out mid day before. It definitely gives me an inner restlessness, and then I also find myself needing to rest or relax deeply a couple of times throughout the day. The two side effects seem contradictory, one activating, and one sedating… Hence, I wanted to ask here to see if anybody else had the same experience. Thank you.

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5

Abilify was my second ever AP I tried
Was not bad but yep, caused akathisia. So much so I was very uncomfortable and pdoc changed medication

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6

I so wanted it to work for me and got off zyprexa to give it a try. Akithesia was horrid early but it passed pretty quickly. Just never did work as well so after 2 years on it I went back to zyprexa. It was worth a try but zyprexa works well for me.

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7

The akathisia stinks. I am taking cogentin to help, but admit I hate having to take another med to counteract the first one.

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8

I am doing my best to hang tough to see if it will work for me, as I do want to find the one that will be best for me. I hate making medication changes. I will see my psychiatrist again this week to review my labwork, so will be able to discuss again how things are going.

9

I was on Abilify when it first came out and I remained on it for many years.
It caused lots of akathisia for the first couple of months then it pretty much subsided.
For me the big issues with Abilify was the mania and anxiety it caused.
It became unbearable after a while.
Also it worsened my paranoia and it didn’t work like it should but overall it did keep me out of the hospital.

I had to stop taking it because of the side effects, I’m now on risperidone

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10

I had akathesia for the first 4 months or so and I was only taking 5mg as a add on to my current meds

That restless feeling has completely gone away

Now I am taking 7mg and no restlessness

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11

I had ankathisia for few months and used to sleep for long hours, now on 15 mg and all good,

Its been almost 3 years on this or 4 not sure but the meds needs to be varied its dose up and down for me to work at its best.

Now a days i work and seep for 5 hours.

This med is really works well for me.

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12

Thank @Wave @Dude1 @An_the-c-ology It helps to hear from others. I think I am going to hang in longer to see if the akathisia and anxiety/parnoia improves, but will also be talking to my psychiatrist this week, so will see.

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13

I have no side effects from abilify. No akathisaia, costipation nothing but an intense medicated chemical feeling thag goes away aftef a out five hours after taking it. I still want the injection its my only hope for sex after the invega plastercine loins i not live with that i hope will strenghtne and release once the invega is out

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14

Abilify seems to make me more sensitive to coffee. If I drink coffee I get really anxious :coffee::cold_sweat:.

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15

I am experiencing suicidal thoughts and my psychiatrist does not want to change it.

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Hmmm… My anxiety does seem to ramp up in the morning, during/after coffee intake, but I never suspected the coffee “may” be causing the increase in anxiety as it has never caused this before. I don’t know how I would live without coffee as it has been a major staple in my life, but it is worth my considering trying to go without it to see if I have improvement.

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17

I hope the suicidal thoughts diminish and that your doctor will be helpful.

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18

I’m on Clozaril
I noticed the last 2-3 times I had coffee , I started panic attacks
So no more coffee for me lol

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19

Things seem to be leveling out for me with the Abilify. I am glad. I think I am just sensitive to medication/ dose adjustments.

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20

The akathisia went away.

I do feel lethargic. And sort of sedated though

Good luck.

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