Attn: aripiprazole users

For those on Abilify, Abilify Maintena or Aristada: does it cause you to be impulsive and reckless with money? Or any similar side effects?

Perhaps the only significant side effect I get from aripiprazole is that I’m way too impulsive with my money. Like when I bought a brand new car three years ago, even though at the time I could barely afford the payment. I get myself in trouble sometimes, though I always manage somehow.

Lately I’ve been spending a lot of money I don’t really have yet. Like putting an expensive festival ticket on layaway, make my first payment soon, or ordering a laptop off Amazon using a credit card because I don’t currently have the money unless I dip into the little bit of savings I have. I mean, my laptop very badly needs replaced, not canceling the order.

I just hate how reckless and irresponsible I am with money. For someone who spends money like I do I really don’t have much of a savings account.

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Im on Rexulti and have yet to experience impulsive spending.

It’s a little difficult to determine if it’s the drug or just you spending impulsively. A lot of people are impulsive spenders without pharma cause.

If you were always that way , that is one way to rule it out.

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That’s just it; I wasn’t like this before Abilify. I used to spend very little. I used to be pretty cheap.

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It can really loosen your purse strings so I’ve heard. If you are concerned talking to a dr is advisable before you are in debt.

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Is lowering the dose an option? I still spend, but not as much as before. I’m on 300mg at the moment (depot) which works out to be about 10mg per day.

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I’ll be okay, just feeling a major pinch right now, with over a week until my next payday. I’m not in significant debt other than my student loan and my auto loan.

Plus I’ve been getting fcked on hours at work, lowering my income significantly, so I stress about this stuff sometimes.

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I’ve been on this med for 2 years… I haven’t been reckless with my money… no

Sounds like mania, but I’m doctor… I’d talk to my psychiatrist about it

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Yes I became a bit reckless at first. But now it is under control. Actually before Abilify I had a lottery addiction and would spend all my spare money in it. Now things are under control and I no longer play the lottery or am reckless with money.

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On abilify and spending only on the bare necessities. Not gambling either.

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Before ability I would hardly ever spend money or gamble for that matter.

Now I am as you put it….impulsive with money. I have also gambled heavily.

I do often wonder if it’s the abilify.

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I experience this every day and I’m not on abilify

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When I was on abilify, I was extremely impulsive. It is stated as one of the possible side effects. I developed two addictions while on abilify. Both I did get over with a lot of time and help.

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Thanks for this thread it’s definitely true !

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I had very activated mind on that drug

Did not help me but it may help you!

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It’s the abilify. My friends on it and he has a case- worker taking care of his money and bank account. Otherwise he’d spend it on buying sh-it and he’d gamble his money away.

But he can work 100% which is awesome.

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Oh it helps me a ton, the most effective AP I’ve ever been on. The most effective for me, I mean. That’s why I put up with this side effect.

@Speedy I’ve never cared to gamble, thankfully. It doesn’t appeal to me. A couple times a year I might blow $10 on lottery tickets, but that’s typically the extent of my gambling. I just tend to spend a lot more freely than I did before aripiprazole.

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one of the abilify function is help to money management but in some people act opposite.in my case i m quite happy with my money management.i don t buy unless necessary

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i was spending alot of money but after prucalopride intake i became aware of my spendings and this effect seems permanent even after discontinuation which is good thing

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I had to go off Abilify because it turned me into a gambler when that is not me.

There has been a class action lawsuit against the pharma company for turning people into gamblers.

Definitely think it’s the Abilify after my experience - I couldn’t stop when it never crossed my mind before then.

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