Question posted by seren75 on 16 Aug 2022
Last updated on 18 August 2022
... other day) as paroxetine, which I'm also on, increases blood levels of aripiprazole.
The headache has passed but I have loads of other side effects: nausea, slowed digestion, forgetfulness, tearfulness, increased depression.
Just wondering if anyone struggled like me at first and then had things smooth out? I'm about ready to give it up. It's been a long line of trying to find things which will help and I'm at the end of my rope
I’m on 5 mg and no real side effects that are too bothersome. I’m restless, but once I settle down at night I’m actually sleeping BETTEr on abilify . It took 3-4 weeks to get used to. I like it so far.
Can I ask what effects you had in your adjustment phase?
I had some constipation and the restlessness. Also very hungry at night but not during the day. Nothing too terrible though. I’m also taking it to augment an SSRI and it seems to really get rid of the lows of my depression very well. I guess side effects can be different for everyone but for me I have found it to be not too bad.
Abilify made me sick insomnia was so bad all I did is pace all night that stuff is like poison.
Unfortunately, psychotropic medications just take time to become fully effective and most come with side effects for some people. They generally only last a few days to a week or two and then it's smooth sailing!
Talk to your friend the pharmacist/chemist about remedies for the nausea. Also try eating a small frequent snack of bland foods like yogurt, soda crackers, and ginger tea or ginger ale.
Be patient and hang in there. You're well on your way and you'll likely find it was well worth the time and effort.
PS, Also a remedy for the headache!
Also, remember that only a very few people have side effects serious enough to cause them to stop the medication.
For most of us Abilify was a life changer and a life saver! I took it for over 7 years and it was fantastic.
Thanks. I'm really hating it at the moment!
I agree with this. Side effects MAY go away after a bit but the worsening depression is concerning. The every other day thing seems like it might have your levels petering out to nothing and then going up again. I’m just wondering about that. I started on 2.5 every day for a week and then went to 5. I’m taking with Trintellix .
I hope you get some relief soon. Best of luck to you.
Nausea has passed but I am just so depressed and irritable all the time. I emailed my psychiatrist and he has given me no clear guidance. I asked him if this was normal for aripiprazole and he didn't answer. I asked if it was worth giving it another week and he didn't give me a clear answer.
I think you still need to give it more time to become effective. Keep a positive outlook and look for beneficial changes... they're easy to overlook when you're depressed and thinking it'll never work. You need to try to work with the medication instead of against it.
"You can expect aripiprazole Abilify to start working in 1 to 2 weeks, but it may take several weeks until it takes full effect."
I've been advised to stop it as the worsening depression is not normal. There are no positive effects for me with this drug. I've been on many and know when they are helping.
I'm really sorry to hear this. I hope that you can find a better option for your treatment.
Best wishes and good luck to you.
This evening, things started to lift a bit. I'm going to give it another week in the hope it helps things. I HATE starting new meds!!
Give us an update on you do, okay?
Will do thank you for your kindnesses
abilify, headache, nausea/vomiting, aripiprazole, paroxetine, side effect, dosage, ssri, digestion disorder, digestion
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