The TOP 5 Things you NEED to KNOW about ABILIFY (Aripiprazole)

In today's video, we are going to discuss the atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole and how it revolutionized the treatment for schizophrenia and treatment-resistant depression.

🚑 If you are in a mental health crisis, please dial 9-8-8 from the U.S. Or text HOME to 741741 and connect to a crisis counselor.

Intro 00:00
1. What is aripiprazole 00:35
How it works 00:55
2. What is it used for? 02:22
injections 02:57
off-label uses 03:34
3. How long does it take to work? 05:22
4. Is this medication addicting? 07:35
5. Side Effects/Drug Interactions 08:50
Activating side effects 09:10
other side effects 10:00
Rare/dangerous side effects 12:57
Drug interactions 15:03

Resources:

Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes only and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice or substitute for diagnosis and treatment of any conditions discussed herein. Furthermore, watching these videos or getting answers to comments/questions, does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Please consult with your own health care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

References:

Stahl, S. M., Grady, M. M., & Muntner, N. (2021). Stahl's essential psychopharmacology: Prescriber's Guide. Cambridge University Press.

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[LevelheadedMind]

Not sure if this medication is right for you? Contact me so we can discuss treatment options for your unique needs.

[Mika.]

Anxiety/depression/OCD/BPD diagnosis and just began this a week ago along with my Zoloft and bupropion. I’ve taken the other two around 8 years and started this after I had several outbursts and depression worsened. With that said, it’s been amazing for me! I wake up in the morning and I’m actually ok with being up. My thoughts are more organized, and scary to say but I might actually feel happy. Good!

[PenguinPower]

(Long rant) I had an absolutely HORRIBLE experience with Abilify, the first psychiatrist I was referred to wasn’t even the one my doctor intended, I was then diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder (was never told me which type) and the psychiatrist just prescribed me Abilify immediately after talking for like a minute. She told me too check back in every two weeks except that month bc she was going on vacation for six weeks, and I’m like okay, I take the pill (I forgot the dosage) at night like she told me too every night, and then I started feeling so weird, like heavy and dizzy and I went to school like that. Then I got scary mood swings which I’ve never experienced before, I got hangry, irritated, sleepy, enraged all at once, it really showed when me and my partner were at my college finally eating (I was super shaky) and he made me laugh to feel better and I laughed really loud and then I couldn’t control it but it turned into crying. I was so confused and shaken up because that’s never ever happened to me before, I was scared. Then later in the month in a college class, I started feeling really not okay at my desk, like I was out of breath and my legs were restless and weak, like mania but stiffening my joints, I had to hang onto the walls, I met my partner sitting in the food court and I told him I didn’t feel good and I called my brother if he could pick me up to go home (he didn’t believe me and thought I was trying to ditch) and I needed to lay down, so I went to the student lounge and laid down on a couch alone, in fetal position, and my whole body hurt, and I just started crying. I made the earliest appointment with my primary doctor, she said my pupils were dilated I was diagnosed with Serotonin Syndrome and I stopped taking the Abilify. Then I called to schedule an appointment with the psychiatrist and the receptionist said she resigned weeks ago, so I’m pretty sure it was mostly her fault for maybe giving me too high of a dose and not being available.

Also it wasn’t after I got my (later on) psych ward documents back, they told me I have Bipolar II 😐

[kendalgroner]

I just recently started abilify for aggression and irritability related to sensory issues with autism and ADHD. I've been using it along with my ADHD medication and it's honestly been such a lifesaver. I was afraid of the med for awhile due to the drug class it's in, but I honestly wish I tried it way sooner. I've not had any side effects other than a little harder time going to sleep at first, but it's done wonders for me with a lot of issues other meds haven't helped with.

[AProudCitizen]

Thank you Doctor, for all the explanation. Your explanation gave me hope.
You are an angel. Watching another Doctor that don’t make me feel more frustrated because any treatment had worked, it’s like finally breath & have my life back. After Covid, it’s been not possible to leave home. Almost 3.5 years….in this loop🫥
Starting today taking Abilify + my regular Auvelity dose.
Blessings

[adrianaslund]

Its strange how some people have positive responses to this. My response was nightmarish. It made existence sluggish and painful with an inability to enjoy anything in life.

[LuckyDalton]

Just started Abilify today ( 1mg ) ..I'm a 38 year old male with autism & ADHD ( AuDHD)
Thanks for the video

[Hermesxthegreat]

Good for you guys….. It made me feel horrible. Whats the purpose of life if you feel like a zombie

[shoaibibrahim]

My autistic son uses Abilify, and it has improved his life. We just don't know how much more of an increase would be beneficial or even detrimental. The concern is we don't want to see any negative side effects and for it to stay negative.

There is always the concern of fine-tuning medicine and the negative impact.

[forg]

I’m trying to pluck up the courage to go pick up my Abilify prescription today. I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder and I just can’t shake the internalized stigma I feel about being on an antipsychotic

[empireravenshadow]

Abilify changed my life. I wouldnt be able to survive in this world without it

[claudiabenavente]

I am taking 15 mg Abilify for schizophrenia and I have never felt so peaceful, but I am sleeping really bad on it. I wouldn't be sleeping at all if it wasn't for my Zyprexa. It has been three days since I have been on it.

[matmalette]

Starting today to help with PTSD. I'm positive after having answers to my questions with this great video.

[tammypearson]

I've been on this twice and got very aggressive and violent. I have worked hard not to be that person for 20 years. I will never take it again.

[TAG_Underground]

Just had my dosage increased to 20mg for a schizophrenia spectrum disorder and MDD. If I get stable on this they'll start giving me injections which apparently last about a month or so.

Not having to take antipsychotics every day sounds like a dream.

[serenitydimitroth]

The miracle med for my TBI child. He was so mean and angry before we found this medicine. He told me "thanks mom, now my brain stopped racing so I could think!". I felt bad for not doing meds sooner. It is trial and error for right medication. Good luck all!

[darkrose]

I suffer from bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms. I have been taking Abilify for 5 years. (5mg at bedtime) Feeling very good, no weight gain, but some muscle stiffness in the morning

[robertt]

I took Abilify and developed akathisia and also randomly bought a truck

[mcpeepantz]

i just switched to it from zyprexa and depakote, before that i was on haldol and lithium and geodon and lithium, i got fat as hell on zyprexa and tires, i got akhatesia from geodon and haldon. with abilify i have no side effects what so ever, feel more motivated and im actually loosing weight, i love it. i take 15mg and 150 of lamicatal, i hope i can take this for the rest of my life.

I also used to self medicated with alcohol and drugs, i have no desire to do so on this combination, i love it.

[tanakkusai]

Hi Dr, I just want to share that this medication has been a life saver for me against the intrusive thoughts that came with Bipolar type 2. But here's a little story I'd like to share. I was on Abilify 10mg since February + Lamictal 100mg with my first psychiatrist to treat my Bipolar, however sometime in October, my new psychiatrist abruptly stopped my Abilify saying that it was a child's dose and she prescribed me Concerta in place of Abilify and oh my Lord, my hypomania swung so high I was pacing through the universe then came the horrendous crash which resulted in a very severe depression which led to an "attempt", I was immediately rushed to meet my old psychiatrist and he was so mad that my new psychiatrist was so negligent to put me off my Abilify as there is no such thing as a "child's dose" in psychiatry and he was also mad that my new psychiatrist did not gave proper supervision (weekly reviews) to see how the Concerta affected my mood swings. Safe to say, I went back to my old psychiatrist for good and I've restarted my Abilify and I no longer have those intrusive or suicidal ideation anymore. I'm also off Concerta with immediate effect with options to consider non stimulant ADHD meds such as Strattera which is relatively safer than stimulants for Bipolar + ADHD comorbidities. Thank you for this reaffirming video on how much this medication can save so many lives including the Bipolar community! Truly a life saver for me.