Difference between abilify and the rest of the atypical antipsychotics

Medications
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I have only ever been on abilify and am concerned about possibly going on a new atypical antipsychotic because of the difference in the way they work:

Abilify is a partial dopamine2 agonist and all the other atypical antipsychotics are dopamine2 antagonists.
So I am guessing that maybe experience of abilify is different to all the other atypical antipsychotics?

Did you notice differences in experience with abilify compared to the rest of atyipcal antipsychotic/s that you have been on? What about similarities?

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I’ve been on lots of other medications and they were all very sedating.

Abilify is different in a lot of positive ways,

With the exception of my hair falling out,

Which is a huge deal.

Are you looking to switch meds?

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Abilify, rexulti and vraylar act in similar ways. Yes they act differently to other APs.

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I am actually in the process of weaning off abilify atm.
But if my positive symptoms return then I need to immediately have an antipsychotic prepared to go on. And the hair thinning is an issue with me too so I don’t know my best option yet.
I have to weigh out the pros and cons

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Would you say there is another main difference except for sedation?

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dopamine is used to connect between brain cells
chemicals either be agonist +++ or antagoist —(block the receptor )
dopamine in the receptor is agonist
drugs of AP are antagoist
abilify is partial agonist occupy the receptor and decrease activity less than dopamine
when receptor is blocked AS antagonist brain makes new receptor and symptoms r back
when partial agonist may be better so it considered third generation
2nd generation (atypicalsss) respiradone and paliperidone r just less side effects than first generation
first generation (typicalsss)like haloperidol and pimozide r most potent most side effects

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I’m asking my doctor for a medication change tomorrow on account of the hair thing,

I’ll let you know what he recommends so you can look into it.

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Thanks I appreciate that

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How long have you been on Abilify?

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1.5 years, and you?

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About 6 months,

I’m on the 400mg shot.

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Ok I take pills

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So with the partial agonist the symptoms dont come back as easily?

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they think so
so that they made them partial agonist

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15

You are smart! I didn’t know this
Thanks

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I think @saynow explained it well.

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17

thank you
pleased to hear that from you

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18

Partial dopamine agonists like Abilify and Vraylar make me crazy!

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In what way? I’ve heard that abilify makes a minority of people more psychotic

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Abilify and Vraylar made me more psychotic.
I don’t think they worked for me.

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