What is the difference between Depakote and Abilify. I am currently on Abilify (5mg) for Bi-Polar I and I also take Adderall (10mg tri daily) for ADD. I am Just curious if there is a big difference due to the fact that Abilify is so darn expensive, but my mom gets Depakote for free through work... is it the same thing? Or at least something that would be worth trying out?
Depakote VS Abilify?
Question posted by kfeld on 23 Feb 2010
Last updated on 8 March 2010 by Chris12345
Answers
Chris12345
9 March 2010
Depakote is a mood stabalizer, to keep you balanced. I used it as a base medication for bipolar for several years. Abilify in low dosage is a mood stabilizer. In higher dosages Abilify is meant to bring down a person from mania (anti-psychotic). 5mg would be a low dose. I've taken 30mg in the past. Make sure you take blood tests for your depakote level periodically.
Everyone responds to bipolar drugs differently. You can't say that depakote and abilify are the same. I believe they are in different classes. There's always a base medication that you don't alter (unless you really have to). To fine tune, you add meds on top of the base med. If you're not responding to the abilify any different than when you were just on depakote only, you and your doctor should re-think your meds.
Good Luck,
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abilify, adderall, depakote, bipolar disorder
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