Taking Antidepressants with Abilify
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Taking Antidepressants with Abilify
Adults with major depressive illness may require more than just antidepressants. Antidepressants and aripiprazole (Abilify) can be used together to treat depression symptoms. Anxiety and depression are frequently treated with antidepressants, which are among the most commonly prescribed medications.
An estimated 13.2 percent of American adults have taken antidepressant medication in the last 30 days, according to the CDC (CDC). Anxiety and depression can be effectively treated with antidepressants, although this may not be sufficient for everyone.
While taking antidepressants, some people experience a relapse in their depression symptoms. More than a third of those on antidepressants suffer from this side effect. As part of your treatment, you may benefit from taking Abilify in addition to your antidepressants.
What is Abilify?
Prescription medicine aripiprazole goes by the brand name Abilify. According to the FDA, it is an atypical antipsychotic medication (FDA).
Second-generation antipsychotics include atypical antipsychotics. In some cases, they function by preventing dopamine from binding to specific receptors in the brain.
There may be fewer side effects with second-generation antipsychotics. Lower neurological side effects may be connected to the 5-HT-2a receptor impact of second-generation antipsychotics.
When antidepressants alone aren’t enough for individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD), the FDA has approved Abilify as an additional therapeutic option.
Antidepressants are frequently used with Abilify. As a result, when medications are combined, it is often included in augmentation therapy. It’s not safe for youngsters to use this product in this way.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, schizophrenia is treated with the primary active ingredient of Abilify, aripiprazole (NAMI). FDA-approved for the following conditions:
- Bipolar disorder
- Tourette syndrome
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Abilify can be taken in a variety of ways, but the most common form is a tablet that is eaten whole. It’s normally possible to take Abilify without food.
How does Abilify work?
The effect of neurotransmitters on the brain is controlled by Abilify.
It’s best recognized as a dopamine modulator. Even when dopamine levels are low, it has a limited ability to stimulate dopamine receptors. When activity levels are low, it helps to maintain a healthy balance of dopamine.
Abilify is a partial agonist of serotonin receptors, much as it is for dopamine receptors.
Can Abilify work alone for depression?
Abilify can be used as a stand-alone treatment for other conditions, but for depression, it is most successful when used in conjunction with other treatments.
The primary treatment for depression is antidepressant medication, but just one-third of patients would achieve remission with their first dose, according to a 2008 study. As for the other two-thirds, they’ll have to keep looking for a successful treatment plan.
The addition of Abilify to an existing treatment plan can have better results than monotherapy in treating depression one drug at a time.
According to a 2007 trial, aripiprazole increased the efficiency of the antidepressant medicine mirtazapine compared to mirtazapine monotherapy. Patients with treatment-resistant depression may benefit the most from this therapy, according to the researchers.
In addition to the placebo, the aripiprazole group was more likely to be discharged from the study. According to a clinical trial conducted in 2009, it was proven to be safe and well-tolerated.
When treatment for depression fails to bring about remission, patients may try a different antidepressant medication.
A recent study indicated that adding aripiprazole to an existing antidepressant was more beneficial than switching to a different medication. Using aripiprazole as an add-on therapy helped bring 29% of patients with the resistant major depressive disorder into remission.
What other medications can be taken with Abilify?
People suffering from depression often combine Abilify with other medicines.
Antidepressants consist of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as well as norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (SNRIs).
Antidepressants that are commonly prescribed include:
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- Vilazodone (Viibryd)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)
- Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
- Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
Abilify may interact with other medications, so be aware of this. A doctor will be able to tell you if Abilify will interact with other medications.
Aripiprazole’s effectiveness, when coupled with certain antidepressants, has not been extensively studied. However, a few studies have shown that Abilify and Lexapro are effective therapies for depressive disorders.
When used in conjunction with escitalopram (Lexapro), a 2009 trial showed that Abilify was both effective and safe for the treatment of serious depression.
Is Abilify safe to take with other medications?
Aripiprazole can interact with a wide range of other medications, resulting in serious side effects.
The following medications and Abilify may interact:
- Metoclopramide
- Adderall
- Clarithromycin
- Itraconazole
- Quinidine
- Prozac
- Paxil
- Carbamazepine
- Rifampin
- Lorazepam
Abilify may interact with a variety of other medications, and this list is by no means comprehensive. Before taking Abilify, you should inform your doctor and pharmacist of any other medications you are currently taking.
Questions to ask a doctor
Prior to taking any new drug, you should consult with your doctor. A wide range of adverse effects are commonly associated with antipsychotic medications. Numerous documented medication interactions exist for Abilify.
Before taking Abilify in conjunction with an antidepressant, you may wish to discuss these matters with your physician:
- Does Abilify interact with any medications I’m currently taking?
- Should Abilify be taken with food or on an empty stomach?
- How long until I see results with Abilify?
- What are the short-term side effects of Abilify?
- What are the long-term side effects of Abilify?
- Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Abilify?
- How and when should I take Abilify?
- When do I stop taking Abilify?
- What foods or drinks should I avoid while taking Abilify?
- How do you monitor Abilify?
- How will we know if the dose needs to be changed?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
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