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Q: Doc' Wants Her to Try Abilify
What do you know about changing out a long term bipolar patient that was on
lithium and then Prolixin. Manic 16 months ago. Western Psych left her on the
old drugs. They appear to be doing well, but sleeps a lot. Doctor in Erie now
wants to try ABILIFY because of signs of more Tardive Dyskinesia and lack of
energy and sleeping?
Not another miracle drug? Who knows if this is any good? Thanks
Dear Jim --
Lithium still has more data supporting its use than anything else, but the other
common mood stabilizers are catching up (see a
Table of them,
with links to more info' on each). Abilify isn't even on the list yet under
case reports or open trials. However, so far everything I hear about it sounds
pretty darn good, and if your doctor has a lot of experience with it, she/he may
know enough more about it than I to justify its use.
Dr. Phelps
Published September, 2003 |