Question 1

on average, how long will abilify (aripiprazole) take to work?

Accepted Answer

Varies: It depends upon individual circumstances and adequacy of dose but Abilify (aripiprazole) usually begins to work in the first 1-3 weeks followed by continued improvement in responders. The prescriber should monitor your response and side effects to determine dose increases and adequacy of response if any. If no response, or if not tolerated, then prescriber may consider an alternate medication.

Question 2

should abilify (aripiprazole) be taken in single dose or divided doses?

Accepted Answer

once daily: It is usually prescribed once a day, in the morning for adults.

Question 3

what are the most common side effects present when using abilify (aripiprazole) at high doses?

Accepted Answer

Parkinsonism: Abilfy is less likely to cause side effects than any of the older meds it replaces. Still, at high doses you start to see some parkinsonism (stiffness, decreased blinking) also you can see restlessness (akathesia) GI symptoms, sedation, dizziness. Best to review this with your doctor. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) has potentally a lot of side effects too.

Question 4

hello, i have been on 15mg of abilify since 2008. same dose now. i had no symptoms at all for years. can i hope to get off abilify?

Accepted Answer

Abilify: Never start or stop prescription medication without first asking your General Physician. He/she is the practitioner most familiar with you physiologic needs.

Question 5

is weight gain from abilify (aripiprazole) just temporary when you up a dose? or do you continue to gain weight as long as you take the meds?

Accepted Answer

Gain can continue: Although Abilify (aripiprazole) is less likely than some others in this class ( atypical antipsychotics) to cause weight gain, it certainly can do it, presumably by increasing resistance to Insulin in part. You need to watch this closely, watch diet and try to exercise. It can be very helpful so try to weigh risks and benefits. You can lose the weight if you get off it but it's not all that easy.

Question 6

walgreen says current dose for abilify (aripiprazole) is 15mg rather than 5 and that lamotrigine is 100mg rather than 150 (which i am cut in half). which is correct?

Accepted Answer

I would: Contact your physician to find out how s/he wrote the prescription and to clarify that it is correct. I can't coment on cutting the Lamictal -i would check with your pharmacist to ensure that it can be safely cut. Take care.

Question 7

my dr is lowering abilify from 10mg to 5mg due to weight gain. should i have any significant dose reduction withdrawal?

Accepted Answer

Little withdrawal: Many medications can have side effects that are both dose &amp; not dose dependent. The causes of weight gain often seen with atypical antipsychotics is not clear.  Decreasing dose from 10 to 5 generally does not produce withdrawal symptoms but may have impact on the weight issue but may also have an impact of the symptoms that were treated by the medication .Good luck and good follow up with your doc

Question 8

is weight gain typical for such a low dose of abilify (aripiprazole)? only on 5 mg worried it's making gain. worried about the whole sugar thing i read about abilify (aripiprazole)

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, yes: There is some research to suggest that the weight gain associated with antipsychotics is independent of dose.  Talk to your prescribing physician about your options if this continues to be an issue for you.  Stay safe!

Question 9

is there a difference in taking abilify (aripiprazole) and seroquel, one pill in the morning and another pill at night for both, between taking them as a single dose of 2 pills together all at night ?

Accepted Answer

Yes!: These are in the same class but they are NOT interchangeable! You cannot safely pick the dose and timing of either. Work closely w/ the prescribing doctor who is exploring fairly new terrain to find the best way to help you. Don't do it alone - it can be very risky!

Question 10

can both risperdal low dose 0.25 and abilify (aripiprazole) 1mg combined with cymbalta? ?

Accepted Answer

Yes: You might try all sorts of combinations under the watchful guidance of your psychiatrist. In your case the difficult decisions will have more to do with the Ativan (lorazepam) (1 mg twice a day) as you might be experiencing problems with rebound anxiety and precipitation of depression.  Don't make any medication changes without consulting with your doctor.

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Doctor answers about:

Average dose of abilify

A member asked:

On average, how long will abilify (aripiprazole) take to work?

A member asked:

Should abilify (aripiprazole) be taken in single dose or divided doses?

A member asked:

What are the most common side effects present when using abilify (aripiprazole) at high doses?

A member asked:

Hello, i have been on 15mg of abilify since 2008. same dose now. i had no symptoms at all for years. can i hope to get off abilify?

A member asked:

Is weight gain from abilify (aripiprazole) just temporary when you up a dose? or do you continue to gain weight as long as you take the meds?

A member asked:

Walgreen says current dose for abilify (aripiprazole) is 15mg rather than 5 and that lamotrigine is 100mg rather than 150 (which i am cut in half). which is correct?

A member asked:

My dr is lowering abilify from 10mg to 5mg due to weight gain. should i have any significant dose reduction withdrawal?

A member asked:

Is weight gain typical for such a low dose of abilify (aripiprazole)? only on 5 mg worried it's making gain. worried about the whole sugar thing i read about abilify (aripiprazole)

A member asked:

Is there a difference in taking abilify (aripiprazole) and seroquel, one pill in the morning and another pill at night for both, between taking them as a single dose of 2 pills together all at night ?

A member asked:

Can both risperdal low dose 0.25 and abilify (aripiprazole) 1mg combined with cymbalta? ?

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