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chrisva51 Son had to to increase from 2.5 mg back to 5 mg Abilify

chrisva51

By chrisva51
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chrisva51 Newbie

chrisva51

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My son was on 2.5 mg Abilify for about 3 months and then felt he needed to go back to 5 mg Abilify. He said his work shift was stressful and the increased dosage calmed him down. How he has a slightly less stressful work shift. I wonder if going from 5 mg down to 2.5 was too big a jump to begin with. ( I'm his mom )

Cymbalta (from 10 mg to 60 mg at times )  and Abilify ( from 2 mg up to 15 mg ) from January 2008 to December 2012

July 2012  stopped the then 5 mg Abilify and just took the 30 mg Cymbalta

October 2012 resumed taking 5 mg Abilify ( continued the 30 mg Cymbalta

December 2012 to September 2013 stopped both medications cold turkey

September 2013 resumed Abilify at 5 mg building up to 15 mg by October 2013

January 2014 reduced to 10 mg Abilify

July 2014 reduced to 7,5 mg Abilify

July 26 2014  reduced again now to 5 mg Abilify

Dec 10, 2014  reduced to 2.5 mg Abilify

Mar 6, 2015  back up to 5 mg Abilify due to agitation

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Fresh Newbie

Fresh

Posted
  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Hi  chrisva ,  welcome to the site.

 

I think you're right - a 50% decrease was too much for him and he began to have withdrawal symptoms.

This site recommends decreases of no more than 10% in order to try and avoid this happening.

See the section on Tapering , "Why Taper by 10%".

 

As your son has a long history with medications , It's going to be important to go very slowly - small cuts with long holds  (4 to 6 weeks at each level).

 

Best wishes ,  Fresh

1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg

2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg

Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta

Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months.

July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months.

Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg.

October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive.

March 2016 , 21mg

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Altostrata Grand Master

Altostrata

Posted
  • Administrator
Posted

Welcome, chrisva.

 

Please see Tips for tapering off Abilify (aripiprazole)

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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