![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by banga on January 25, 2005, at 11:43:42
Do people ever combine antipsychotics--say, instead of a higher dose of geodon, they take low-dose Geodon and low-dose Abilify together? Sort of like you augment antidepressants? Are there contraindications for this?
Posted by SLS on January 25, 2005, at 13:39:25
In reply to Combining APs, posted by banga on January 25, 2005, at 11:43:42
> Do people ever combine antipsychotics--say, instead of a higher dose of geodon, they take low-dose Geodon and low-dose Abilify together? Sort of like you augment antidepressants? Are there contraindications for this?
It is done fairly often, although I am not always sure what the rationale is in many cases. Certainly, it is a practice that is justifiable when treating otherwise refractory schizoid disorders. I know someone who is doing very well using a combination of Abilify + Seroquel. Abilify is sometimes referred to as a DSS dopamine system stabilizer. It has both anxiolytic and antidepressant properties, but I am not sure how well it works compared to Zyprexa in psychotic states.
It might not be pretty, but I can't think of any reason why APs can't be combined when titrated carefully. I'm sure it has been a life-saver for some.
- Scott
Posted by banga on January 25, 2005, at 15:46:20
In reply to Re: Combining APs, posted by SLS on January 25, 2005, at 13:39:25
> It is done fairly often, although I am not always sure what the rationale is in many cases. Certainly, it is a practice that is justifiable when treating otherwise refractory schizoid disorders. I know someone who is doing very well using a combination of Abilify + Seroquel. Abilify is sometimes referred to as a DSS dopamine system stabilizer. It has both anxiolytic and antidepressant properties, but I am not sure how well it works compared to Zyprexa in psychotic states.
>
So you have indeed heard Abilify can have anxiolytic effects??? As of last night I am trying it for precisely that effect, it after all affects 5ht2a.....but my pdoc wasnt excited about the idea, warned me that people can get agitated and akasthisia even at low doses, and others here have claimed it actually increases anxiety.Hence my q. Geodon helps with my anxiety, but higher doses make me foggy. Abilify, if it does help, may make me agitated at too high a dose. So --> I thought what if I took a small dose of each, perhaps then i would have all the effect, but less the side efects? Just musing now, I of course have to see how the Abilify and I get along......
>
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by SLS on January 25, 2005, at 16:37:18
In reply to Re: Combining APs » SLS, posted by banga on January 25, 2005, at 15:46:20
I am taking Abilify. For me, it does help with anxiety, and even at 20mg has not caused the fogginess I experienced with Geodon. Yes, there is a strong possibility that Abilify will produce agitation during the first few weeks. However, it seems to disappear completely. At least it did with me. Abilify + Zyprexa would make a very interesting combination.
I would recommend trying Abilify in place of Geodon if you feel 5-HT2a antagonism is important. Remember that Abilify, like Geodon, also acts as a 5-HT1a agonist, which, if located in the right places can also have anxiolytic effects. It is the partial DA2 agonism that might confer some of the antidepressant effect.
- Scott
Posted by banga on January 25, 2005, at 17:01:38
In reply to Re: Combining APs, posted by SLS on January 25, 2005, at 16:37:18
Thanks for the info and encouragement! I am only at 5mg Abilify; I am also taking 100mg desipramine....my pdoc is QUITE conservative and is worried about the fact that these meds use the same liver enzyme, thus may potentiate effects. But aren't these quite low doses to worry about it? if you know this fact, you simply keep it in mind, no?...
The best part of stopping Geodon is that I hate the name :) sounds like a space-age geriatric med.
Posted by Sebastian on January 25, 2005, at 20:00:06
In reply to Combining APs, posted by banga on January 25, 2005, at 11:43:42
I combine AP's! Right now I take geodon and zyprexa. I also tried abilify and zyprexa. Yes take less of each. Its a totaly different effect. Better probably. Less side-effects.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.