babyboome...I take Wellbutrin & Cymbalta, still having depression & anxiety. I've tried Efexior, prozac, cellexor... only thing that helped was the prozac but after a while it mad me very tired in the afternoon.
How does Abilify work and why is it so expensive?
- Posted:
- 15 Apr 2010 by babyboomer53
- Topics:
- abilify, depression, anxiety
Details:
Answers (10)
Sideffects215 Apr 2010
Can't tell you how it works and neither can the drug company.It is one of the atypical & newer antipsychotics. That means it tends to give you metabolic side effects rather than movement ones. It is not on generic hence the high price. All the side effects suck. It's just a matter of finding the best ones for yourself. Cheers.
Anonymous 15 Apr 2010
I found Abilfy and it sounds scary,
What is Abilify?
Abilify (aripiprazole) is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.
Abilify is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression). It is also used together with other medications to treat major depressive disorder in adults.
Abilify is also used to treat irritability and symptoms of aggression, mood swings, temper tantrums, and self-injury related to autistic disorder in children who are at least 6 years old.
Abilify may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Notthatbad
20 Oct 2010
Isn't this from patient info insert?
harleybluz
18 Aug 2011
Abilify for depression is the only drug that worked for me and being extremely sensitive to side effects, it was great. It's not as scary as it sounds. They have to tell you everything about the drug now days even if only one person has had that reaction. I have not gained weight, sleep better and panic and depression are gone. I'm actually laughing again. And... all this on a low dose.
smarba481
kellyandt...
shelard
7 Aug 2010
My doc said he'd order stronger ones and I could cut them in 1/2 's to save $. Also try to write,e-mail, or call manufacturers 7 ask for help. even if you have insurance the copay is too high. SharonH
norton3
needadrive
14 Aug 2010
I'm sorry to hear you had to stop the Abilify, since it was obviously working for you. My fiance is taking Lexapro, but is still struggling with anxiety. He also gets VERY anxious if things aren't 'in their place' (maybe a little OCD). Do you know if the Abilify was interacting with the Lexapro or the Xanax individually or bc you were taking them in combination? I wonder if adding the Abilify to his Lexapro would help...
SiaameezKat
1 Apr 2013
I've been on Lexapro for over 4 years and I just started taking Abilify with it and it is amazing. I haven't experienced any of the side effects. I have more energy than I used to and I'm actually happy almost all the time! I actually want to go do things and I have more motivation than I've had in a long time. I feel like I'm going back to the girl I used to be when I was younger.
cspecialm...28 Apr 2010
I took abilify for 6 years and now suffer from permanent severe side effects. While the drug did it's job, it left me damaged for the rest of my life! If I were you, I would weigh out the benifits vs. the risks!! You can also join the Abilify support group here on drugs.com and see what people are saying. Please be very cautious in your decision. Good Luck.
marybjones
13 May 2010
Special Mom, I agree with you. I was on abilify for 1 week, I had slurred speech, irregular movement in my face, dizzieness. I thought it was horrible. I would reccomend it to anyone
Anonymous 1 Aug 2010
cspecialmom... Please please tell me the permanent side effect that you have now from the drug. My doctor took away Tegretol and back on 10mg of Abilify. I'm scared now. I have diebites in the family to and I am already overweight as well. "mom" please get back w me. I have to know. And I am bipolar2 and do not have mixed episodes anymore in years or mania.
lisajznj28 Apr 2010
No one here cares about spelling :) BUCKY found you the info... the next 2 answers had good effects from it, and SPECIALMOM has big issues with this medication. So I guess it all depends on the individual and how they react to it. But to be honest with you, I have heard more bad stories than good about this medication. Talk with your doctor about your concerns. Good luck to you!
Chris
Thebyrdman
7 May 2010
LOL... it attaches to several different receptors on the surface of nerve cells in the brain. This disrupts signals transmitted between brain cells by ‘neurotransmitters’, chemicals that allow nerve cells to communicate with each other. I think Abilify works mainly by being a ‘partial agonist’ for the receptors for the neurotransmitters - dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (a.k.a. serotonin). This means that abilify acts like dopamine and serotonin by activating and utilizing these receptors, but not as much as the actual neurotransmitters would. Since dopamine and serotonin are involved in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, abilify helps to normalize the activity of the brain, reducing psychotic or manic symptoms and preventing them from returning. So basically, abilify balances and stabalizes your dopamine and serotonin levels over time which could result in both positive and negative side effects.
Thebyrdman
7 May 2010
BTW, if you are taking abilify, simply ask your doctor for samples. They are free. Abilify is expensive and you can't get it internationally. If your doctor is being a turd, and won't give you samples, then go to patientassistance.com and see if you qualify with their abilify program. Later
christineATU
Hannah1961
kytteneyes22 May 2010
I have am using abilify and have been for over 2 yrs. I really loved it. It has made me feel more normal then ever. I am bipolar with schizo affective disorder. But I have developed trouble swallowing where there is like a clicking sensation in my throat and I am not sure but think this was caused by it. It shows that if you have hx of trouble swallowing not to take. I also know that it has raised my sugar levels and I have hx of diabetes in my family and now am borderline to becoming diabetic. So now I have to find some other combo of drugs to take. Every med is different for everyone so just be careful and look into what you are giving before just taking it. I was never told by psych that I had to look out for these things. My psych always has samples to give me when I can not afford them and there is this link you can look at to see if you qualify for assistance. http://www.bms.com/products/Pages/programs.aspx. Hope this has helped you in some way.
30 May 2010
abilify is made to "boost" the drug your on, like prozac. Just a new way to rip you off.
I am shocked you are on cymbalta, and for anxiety, WTF? Docs are so great about giving anti dep for anxiety, they do nothing for it! Adavan, clonazapam, valume and xanax are for anxiety..(sp?).OMg, and they write you abilify so they can fly off on vacation via the drug companies,asit is new! it's BS!
Prozac, that comes generic, add that with clonazapam (cost about $16.00 per 50, 2 mg, strong dose) would work better.Hell buy it from mexico, canada if your doc won't give you it. xanax is the strong one, but clonazapam, you should get that easy.
!0 years plus I have been stuck in the system, I have a fake spine, and hurt so much even with meds like the fent patch, percs, I hate my life! tried to die, but failed.
Anywho... not about me, get some clonazapam, or valume for that anxiety!
And for gods sake keep far away from cymbalta! Bad stuff.
choirdogsplace@yahoo.com
26 Jun 2010
yes, I agree,Cymbalta is terrible withdrawal if you do not wean from it slowly-my psychiatrist started me on pristiq and told me it would be fine for me to make the switch and I have been trying to recover from depression and anxiety for 6 weeks now-I am now getting bad side-effects from Wellbutrin xl and am getting off of it slowly-on prozac 20mg to help all this misery-good luck-Sandy
jk13
4 Jul 2010
I also have to agree, I find it very strange that there is no usage of any benzo. While everyone knows about benzo withdrawals, and that they're a scheduled substance - thus often making the doctor a bit skittish about prescribing things like that - however, just about anything that truly affects your brain chemistry is going to cause withdrawal systems 99% of the time. A simple SSRI plus a Benzo as coloradochick mentioned above is my understanding the standard as how to treat your symptoms. The benzo would depend totally if you're continually anxious, thus a long acting benzo taken every day - if you're triggered by social events, then a short acting one taken when needed like xanax is what is needed. Regardless, it sounds like you're going to a general doctor, when you should be going to someone who specializes in this field, such as a psychologist. If you are in fact going to a psychologist, then personally, I'd switch doctors, cause what's going on just isn't right.
Anonymous 31 Jul 2010
Fist, interesting observation about the Prozac and making you tired in the afternoon. I take too many meds to pick one out, but I find once most meds stop working, then they do make me tired. Thank you, I'll look into it and do a test. Anyway, Abilify is an adjunct to SSRI's SNRI's, etc. It is supposed to "even you out". Kind of like a bi-polar or manic depressive med but not as heavy duty. It's expensive because it's new, BRAND ONLY, until their patent runs out. I think it's the only one out there like it. Everyone's pushing it. So you should definitely get FREE samples from your Doc or even the company. I asked my Psychiatrist about it - but Doc didn't think I was a candidate. I use Xanax BRAND and Prozac BRAND for my Panic/Anxiety/Depression. Wish I could go up on Prozac but too many side effects since I have Endocrine Disorders too.
arcanoidc...25 Aug 2010
I just went to see my NEW SHRINK today and he put me on Lexapro 10mg 1X a day in the AM,and 2mg of ABILIFY 1X a day in the AM along with my Lexapro.I wasn't even told what I was diagnosed with.Is that even legal??Not telling you what you are diagnosed with??The Local Pharmacy I went to get my medication today.Charged my Insurance Company $608.99 cents for a 30-Day Supply of Abilify,and said that my Lexapro was pending.(Otherwise waiting for insurance approval.)How is it that the Pharmacutical Company's are getting rich off of us.It's not right!!! They even gave me the Real Bottle that the Abilify came in when the Pharmacutical Company shipped it to the Local Pharmacy.I looked on the bottle and there is a generic.My doctor put on the 2 Scripts"Brand Name Neccesary."What does he think I am rich too??This was my first visit seeing him now.I just want some feedback about this visit.
jk13
25 Aug 2010
The thing that sucks about Abilify, is that there is a generic, but it is not legal to be given in the USA due to patents and such, I don't get it... and the second thing that sucks about Abilify is that it is the only one that acts the way it does, and there are drugs similar, but with very very bad side effect profiles, such as being extremely tiered (and Abilify practically knocks me out as it is), or a risk to your overall health (forgot the details). But, I too can't afford the stuff, but did needed it for a while, and actually still use it for emergencies (C-PTSD flash backs that I can't handle)...
stopdruggingkids
25 Aug 2010
If you want to stay really healthy and have a good life then AVOID psychiatrists at all costs. If they label you with any condition ask for a test which proves you have this condition before you succumb to a lifetime of dangerous addictive drugs which may cause irreversable side effects. Have you read the book "Mad in America" by Robert Whittaker. It is a real eye opener? I think its so sad that so many people are having their lives destroyed by psychotropic drugs. If your having problems in your life, change your lifestyle. Drugs are not always the answer to lifes problems!
marsha79
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i added you as a freind if that,s all right.Glad the pristq is working for you.
I was on abilify for a couple of years. While in my pain management Dr's office, there was an ad for Abilify with all of the terrible side effects that I was seeing the pain Dr. for. When I realized that I was seeing him for the Abilify side effects (not knowing this) joint stiffness ( which included not being able to pet my dogs by the end of the night because I was unable to open my hand all the way because of pain and stiffness) I stopped the Abilify and those side effects went away.