Has anyone successfully withdrawn from Abilify?

Ketamine can be taken in multiple ways, some of which are FDA-approved and others that are not. It is my understanding that all methods of delivery are usually done in a clinical setting for monitoring.

EXCERPT from https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/ketamine-for-anxiety
- Intravenous (IV) ketamine infusions: A slow, constant IV drip of ketamine is delivered directly into your bloodstream. This can only be done in a hospital or clinic setting.

- Intramuscular (IM) shots: Shots are injected into a large muscle, such as your thigh or arm, in a hospital or clinic setting.

- Sublingual tablets: This form of ketamine is prescribed for at-home use as a stand-alone treatment or for maintenance in between IV or IM treatments. You put a tablet under your tongue and allow it to dissolve slowly. It takes longer for your body to absorb this type of ketamine, so it’s generally considered to be less effective than other forms. Keep in mind this form of ketamine isn’t FDA-approved, so insurance likely won’t cover the cost.

- Nasal spray: Sprovato (esketamine) can only be administered at a hospital or doctor’s office because someone will need to monitor any side effects. You’ll use the spray once or twice weekly for the first 8 weeks, and then only once every week or 2 in the maintenance phase. Sometimes, Spravato is prescribed in combination with traditional anti-anxiety medication.

@joy1976, your questions lead me to additional questions that you may wish to confirm with your doctor.

"Ketamine, a drug available in intravenous (IV) and nasal spray (esketamine) forms, is being actively studied for treatment-resistant depression treatment. Both ketamine and esketamine are given in a doctor’s office or a clinic, and each is typically used alongside another antidepressant." Read more from Mayo Clinic:
- Ketamine for treatment-resistant depression: What you need to know https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/living-well/ketamine-for-treatment-resistant-depression-what-you-need-to-know/
- Treatment-resistant depression https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/treatment-resistant-depression/art-20044324

Do you have treatment resistent depression? Is your doctor suggesting ketamine instead of Abilify (aripiprazole)? Or is it being suggested to help taper off of Abilify (aripiprazole)? I've not heard of using ketamine as a crisis or bridge treatment.

Thanks for responding. You did 16 infusions at home with a nurse or it was a pill?

Hi, I’m on a few medications…lamictal and trintellix are the big ones. Yes, treatment resistant. I want to get off abilify due to side effects (mainly weight gain). Ive been on it 15 years. I’ve done tms recently and ect about ten years ago. Absolutely I’ll be discussing this at my doctors appt :).
Honestly? I guess my question or the information I’m seeking is if any others have found it helpful for medication withdrawal or at times of crisis/high emotion. I don’t want to make things worse, right? But I’ll do what I can to get thru this. I want off the abilify.

Thanks. Should be a money back guarantee. If ketamine worked more often, then maybe they can stand behind their product and stay in business.

I tried ketamine, 6 sessions major depression 3 months ago. It didn’t help me, but I have been told it helps others with depression. It’s off label though you’re so right. The anesthesiologist gave to me. I am wondering if it’s more effective with debriefing after or psychiatric practitioners involved? It unregulated as clinic practice in MN. It is also expensive. There are sublingual doses and nasal route, but very low absorption in the body. Not sure if it helps like IV does for many.

My 11 year old is having horrible side effects and we would like to wean him off of 2mg. Have you had any success?

@fay3
I have not had a child on abilify (aripiprazole) but I have taken it. I was put on 2 mg and then 5mg and had horrible side effects, especially increased pain. I do not know if there is a 1 mg dosage but you may want to ask your pharmacy. I weaned off 5mg to 2 mg and then every other day 2 mg to every 3rd day and then stopped. I did this over several weeks to a month.

Beside the side effects, it wasn’t helping me with difficult to treat major depression. You definitely want to work with your son’s doctor to wean off and see if there is an alternative drug to treat your son’s condition. Weaning off these drugs for teens it’s really important to stay close to any major side effects.

I’m in protracted withdrawal from Paxil.My dr wants me to try oral ketamine.I’m afraid it’s going to make me worse. Has anyone had success with ketamine during withdrawal?

Hi @mlpbob,

I combined your discussion with another discussion titled:

"Ketamine infusion therapy during medication withdrawal (abilify)"
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ketamine-infusion-therapy-during-medication-withdrawal-abilify/

This discussion was started by @joy1976 and they may be able to update you on their experience with working with their provider to try ketamine during their withdrawal from abilify.