Abilify: anti schitsophrenic drug and side affects?

Question

Is there any side effects to drinking alcohol with this drug, or how does it way up to similiar drugs in it's field. I am new to taking it and it doesn't actually mention alcohol on the product information page. I also have weak eyes is there any better drug to take as it also says "may cause blurrred vision" on same page. xxx Buddy

Answer 1

I recently went to a talk on this drug from one of the people from the pharmaceutical company that makes it. The real name for this drug is Aripiprazole. It has been compared to other anti-psychotics and is proven to be more effective. There is also a lower risk of weight gain. I personally believe that it is one of the better anti-psychotics on the market. There is only 1 problem with it. Its very expensive.



28 pack - 5MG - £101.63

To

28 pack - 30MG - £203.26



I would not suggest that you drink alcohol ever with any anti-psychotic.



The blurred vision side-effect does not effect every one. If you do experience this and it persists, contact your doctor.

Answer 2

I wrote a chemistry report on this drug, but I have never taken it and I am not a doctor. I would suggest talking to a doctor who has experience with several of these drugs to get his/her opinion. The product information says that people taking Abilify should not drink alcohol, I suspect this is the case with most of these types of drugs.



Here is the product information (very lengthy/science type information):

http://www.bms.com/cgi-bin/anybin.pl?sql=select%20PPI%20from%20TB_PRODUCT_PPI%20where%20PPI_SEQ=101&key=PPI



Here is another page with simplified information and user comments:

http://www.iddb.org/drugs/abilify/



^a note about the above user comments the first few are pretty bad, but keep reading for more opinions, but they just go to show sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't..



Anyway, I'd say talk to your doctor and remember that not all drugs work the same way for all people!

Answer 3

I know very little, and can't answer the alcohol bit, but abllify has been cmpared to haliperidol, and from the little I read it gets a higher score on all counts and seems to be a more effective medication.



Your best bet is to speak to those who prescribed it, you have every right to be fully informed about the treatment you are undertaking.



You could also try NHS direct (0845 45 45) and (depending on how many other more urgent call they are answering) they will probably be able to answer your questions from an evidence based point of view.

Good Luck!!

Answer 4

you dont mention that ifits the first anti psychotic u have taken...but yr gp must believe it is the best 1 for you hewever it can all be hit and miss at first..also they may need updating if symptoms persist....try....http://www.bnf.org gives all medicines currently dispensed by gps in uk..my partner doesnt drink at all..but it isnt recommended xx

Answer 5

Your dosage could be decreased and better SLOWLY. If the dose is already low - you may renounce it NOW and touch your prescriber - IMEDIATLY! it won't bypass away with this dosage!