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Weaning off of aripiprazole (Abilify)
My doctor wants me to go cold turkey off Abilify 10mg. I'm terrified to do it. I've tried twice and gave up. She won't prescribe it for me again. But, I do have 3 months of refills left. I'm thinking of splitting the pill in half for 5mg. Then try that for a month or so and then splitting that 5mg in half and then go from there. Has anyone had any experiences doing this? The doc thinks the Abilify is making my shopping addiction worse. I agree. I'm on so many drugs. I feel like a walking pharmacy. I'm so tired all of the time and I've gained a ton of weight as well. Sux.
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I've been told to never get off a psychotic drug all at once, but gradually
My psych thinks going off at 10mg will be just fine. I'm not going to do it. I'm going to snap pill in half to 5mg and take that for several weeks and then cut that in half and try that for a few weeks and then go off.
@u2luvr, I'm thinking that @paulaselbe @jakedduck1 @hopeful33250 may have some thoughts on the concept the doctor mentioned of going off of aripiprazole (Abilify) cold turkey.
Were you saying you tried twice before to go off this medication cold turkey and gave up? If so, were you having symptoms that were difficult?
What is Abilify for? Thanks!
Hello, @etreyz07 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Aripiprazole (Abilify) is described in this Mayo Clinic information https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/aripiprazole-oral-route/description/drg-20066890
It says this medication is used alone or together with other medicines to treat mental conditions such as bipolar I disorder (manic-depressive illness), major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. It is also used in children to treat irritability associated with autistic disorder and Tourette syndrome.
Have you had any of these diagnoses or symptoms, @etreyz07?
Thanks for sharing I don't have what others thought in my town but would never judge someone regardless : )
Hello!
Can anybody help me??? Per our daughters psych… Take my daughter off abilify. Her taper schedule isn’t working. She has been on it years. It’s doing more harm than good. She’s is only on 1/4 of a 2mg pill 1x day. I’ve tried to taper & stop several times but haven’t been successful.
What is the update on your daughter's weaning off of Abilify? I have been on it for 11 years only as an adjunct to an anti-depression med. I didn't know or realize exactly what the dr. was giving me and here I am on my 6th try to get off of it. I am down to a very tiny piece of a 2 mg. pill and will continue to take that every other day for another month then every 2 days etc. I was watching this dr. today explaining how difficult it is to get off of it and I'd like to share this with you. There is an alternative way to do this, and a place that can possibly help, which is holistic recovery. If I go into a horrible withdraw again, I will be calling this place. It's in Arizona. Also, he says that diet, exercise, and positive surroundings are major to get better. Please comment on how she is doing.
Don't ever go off of any drug cold turkey. It is very dangerous.
I took abilify for over 6 years then took 2 mg every day then 1mg every morning then 1 mg every other day then stopped. I had a breakdown fir stopping as i am bipolar and labeled for life. It never goes away