Aripiprazole Yea or Nah?

[Palmtreemetrocuth]

Hello, I’ve just had 5mg of Aripiprazole added to my 20mg of CItalopram for depression not psychosis.

Does anyone have any experiences of Aripiprazole they could share please?

I’m concerned about some of the reviews about weight gain, compulsive gambling and shopping. Is 5mg a high dose?

Thanks

I’ve got the muscle stiffness, sweating and uncontrollable movements that are mentioned too.
Not sure whether to stop taking them now.

Yeah I’d definitely call someone. My psychiatrist said I could call my gp for physical things so might be worth a try if you didn’t want to ring psychiatrist… but sometimes they tell you to speak to the prescriber anyway.

I know what you mean, I don’t like to keep bothering them. I rang them for the blurred vision and then felt I couldn’t ring again for the depression so have waited it out. I wouldn’t wait out yours, nhs website had it listed under serious side effects.

Have you got a high fever?

I figured it out lol. This is from my leaflet that comes with the tablets.

@Palmtreemetrocuth please call 111 tonight and tell the your symptoms and that you recently changed medication. There is a rare response to antipsychotics that needs urgent treatment and presents with symptoms including those you have listed. It is rare, but it can't wait until Monday to rule it out. Better to get checked.

Hi @Antagonishy I’ve decided to stop taking these meds now due to the side-effects. I’m not bothered what happens if I do get the serious response though.

@Palmtreemetrocuth
So sorry that you are struggling with the side effects!
I hope coming off of the meds is straight forward and you find other things to help.
It must feel so hard when you try so much and nothing seems to help.
Hang in there and don't lose hope though you probably are fed up of hearing that.
Xx

@Palmtreemetrocuth
Wondering if you are still reading MN threads.
Just wanted to ask how it wrnt after you dropped aripriprazole.
I hope you are better!

Much against my wishes, we had to start DD on it. She was fine on 2.5mg but when we upped to 5 we saw the same side effects such as not being able to sit or lie down or sleep.
I spoke to doctor who advised to drop back to 2.5mg this morning.
I am still very very nervous about this medication.
Unfortunately it seems to be a choice between this and suicidal watch and I feel so helpless.

Xx

Hi @DarkChocHolic I’m so sorry to hear that your DD is still struggling, it must be really difficult for you too.

I have been very low since stopping the Aripiprazole and actually agreed only yesterday to increase my antidepressant to the maximum dose and go back on a lower dose of Aripiprazole, starting at 2.5mg.

My psychiatrist said that the side effects are less common below 10mg so I’m interested to hear that your DD experienced them at 5mg.

Sending you and your DD best wishes xx

@Palmtreemetrocuth
So sorry to hear you are still very low.
I hope increasing the AD helps you.

The movement and restlessness stopped yesterday with the dropping back to 2.5 mg. It was awful the previous night seeing how distressed she was.
I guess we can only tell as the weeks go by how DD is coping and whether something needs tweaking further.