Aripiprazole (Abilify) question.

Hi folks.

I am currently taking Olanzapine at 5mg which I’ve dropped to as I was on 15mg but I’m sick of the weight gain as I have gained so much weight even though I exercise and watch what I eat.

I want to change to Aripiprazole which I’ve heard is the antipsychotic which causes the least weight gain but was just wondering if anyone here has been on it? And how do you find it?

Hibee

I have been taking it for a few years. It really helps with the moods. I haven't gained weight on it.

Best wishes Hibee, hope it helps.

Hugs, Karen...

I take trintellix 20 and Abilify 2
Since I've been on both I've gained about 30 lb so it's possible to gain weight I've read that Abilify can cause weight gain and read that trintellix usually doesn't. No other side effects for me other than that good luck

That's good Hibee.

Nice and Easy Does It Every Time.

webmd.com says:

"Olanzapine (your old medicine) is used to treat certain mental/mood conditions (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder). It may also be used in combination with other medication to treat depression. This medication can help to decrease hallucinations and help you to think more clearly and positively about yourself, feel less agitated, and take a more active part in everyday life. Olanzapine belongs to a class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics."

"Aripiprazole (your new medicine) is used to treat certain mental/mood disorders (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Tourette's syndrome, and irritability associated with autistic disorder). It may also be used in combination with other medication to treat depression. Aripiprazole is known as an antipsychotic drug (atypical type). It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters).

"This medication can decrease hallucinations and improve your concentration. It helps you to think more clearly and positively about yourself, feel less nervous, and take a more active part in everyday life. Aripiprazole can treat severe mood swings and decrease how often mood swings occur."

You said in your first post that you were trying to get off of your old medicine of Olanzapine because it made you gain too much weight. (My Mirtazapine anti-depressant does the same thing to help treat my bipolar along with the Lithium, which caps the antidepressant from getting me manic and possibly anxiety attacks.)

And now you're trying to get on your new medicine of Aripiprazole, which you are now 4 days on.

Keep checking in.

YA DOING GOOD MATE. SLOW AND STEADY. HT

Hibee:

You said you were trying to get off Olanzapine (your old medicine) because it made you gain wait.

And you've been on your new med of Aripiprazole (Abilify) for about a week, hoping it does not cause weight gain.

Net says both are antipsychotics which treat bipolar (manic depression), etc. I have bipolar for which I take Mirtazapine antidepressant and Lithium stabilizer, with the Lithium holding the antidepressant in place to that it does not cause mania and sometimes panic attacks.

In your latest post you said, "The only side effect I’m getting (from the new medicine Abilify) is increased heart rate but I’m hoping this will be temporary?"

I did not see any side-affects for Abilify saying that, but I did see in webmd.com:

"Before using this medication (Abilify), tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: problems with...cerebrovascular disease, stroke...heart problems (such as low blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeat)...."

mayoclinic.org also did not list those type side affects, but did see under Other Medical Problems for Aripiprazole (Abilify):

"The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially...:
• Heart attack or stroke, history of or
• Heart disease or
• Heart failure or
• Heart rhythm problems or
• Hypotension (low blood pressure) or....

For the antidepressant I'm taking, Mirtazapine, webmd.com says:

"Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: fast/irregular heartbeat."

Rxlist.com under "Cautions" says, about Mirtazapine, "...use caution in patients with history of... "cardiovascular disease."

(I went to the net under the names of your medicine(s), and found these above websites and others which I would encourage you to do.

(Doctors and pharmacists are also good sources which with pharmacists, the ones closest to you will probably be helpful, just call them up and asked about medicines.)

So we're in the same boat. I went to my psy. about a week ago and she said to keep taking the Mirtazapine. The only thing I knew to do in my case was to try to slow down my pace.

So I don't know what the situation is over there with your meds. I would try to keep a record of what the numbers are. Maybe use a heating pad to slow it down. I use one at night for the same basic reason. I keep it plugged into my wall by my bed and use it every might to also help me sleep.

Oh, I also, put a small towel between me and the heating pad, even with the setting on "1," to reduce the heat to about 1/2.

I take Halperidol. Currently I'm taking 1 dose a day by mouth, but had some luck taking 150mg shot once per month for a while...only drawback was some swelling at the injection site. One dose a month is about as good as it gets!