Abilify Withdrawal

What is Abilify withdrawal?

Abilify is an antipsychotic medication that is used to treat bipolar disorders, Schizophrenia, severe depression, etc. Aripiprazole is the common medicine that is sold under the brand name of Abilify. It works as a partial dopamine agonist and in cases where the medication has been taken for a long period of time, the brain gets used to it and cannot cope with a sudden absence. In such cases abilify withdrawal is observed. A psychiatrist must be consulted whenever the consumption of the medication is to be started or stopped to avoid it.

Abilify image source – drugs.com

Abilify Withdrawal Symptoms

An individual may be subject to few or more of the following side-effects while experiencing abilify withdrawal:

• Appetite changes
• Confusion
• Concentration problems
• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Depression Diarrhea
• Excessive crying
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Suicidal tendency
• Sleepiness
• Psychosis
• Insomnia
• Panic attacks
• Joint pain
• Headache
• Hallucinations

Assessment

Patients suffering from the condition are assessed based on the following criteria:

1. Dosage – It is important to know the quantity in which the medication has been consumed over time. If the patient has been consuming high doses of the medication, withdrawal process will be more difficult.
2. Quitting – Abilify is a strong anti-psychotic medication. It is advisable to quit the addiction by tapering off or gradually reducing its use rather than quitting it suddenly and abruptly. Symptoms are more severe in cases when the patient quits the habit suddenly.
3. Individual physiology – Experience of this condition differs from a person to person. This happens because the medication reacts differently to the nervous system and physiology of various individuals.
4. Time span – A person who has been consuming the medication for a longer period will experience the condition more severely as compared to those who have consumed it for a shorter period.
5. Lab testing – Tests are administered to the patients so that toxins causing the addiction may be identified and the underlying reasons may be known.

Treatment

• Neurotoxins are purified
• Natural substances to stabilize neurochemistry
• Peer support is helpful in boosting the morale of the individual
• Intra venous amino therapy Directed nutritional therapy
• Increase comfort through activities such as yoga, exercise, massage and personal training therapies

Prevention

• Avoid abilify when they are not prescribed
• In case a pattern of dependence, consult the doctor to change the medication
• If a pattern of dependence has been established, taper the use rather than quitting suddenly

How long does it take for abilify withdrawal?

Abilify remains in the system for 34 days after the last dosage. However, the body and the brain require more time to get rid of the effects of the medication. Withdrawal symptoms are experienced severely for the first 90 days.