Introduction: An Unexpected Antipsychotic
Abilify, also known as aripiprazole, is an atypical antipsychotic medication that is used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. As a patient, I first came to know about Abilify, or aripiprazole, as an "antidepressant amplifier." Back in 2002, my psychiatrist introduced it without any mention of it being an antipsychotic, a term which often brings to mind images of severe side effects like "the Thorazine shuffle." Maybe this new class of drugs could leave behind the stigma.
The High Cost of New Medications
During the time I started on Abilify, the drug was still under patent protection, making it costly with no generic or substitute available. As a patient, I was mainly left in the dark about the effects or side effects of this new, expensive medication.
A Personal Struggle with Side Effects
As per the manufacturer's site, my dosage was 30mg, which is the maximum. While on this regimen, I experienced tremors in the mornings that were so severe they caused difficulty in basic tasks like lighting a cigarette or getting the coffee in my mouth. One particularly bothersome side effect of Abilify was a constant muscle spasm in my diaphragm, which made me sound elderly and a tiny muscle under one eye, leading to widespread rumors i could be terminally ill.
The Mechanism and Side Effects of Abilify
Abilify, a dopamine agonist, works by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. However, it carries potential side effects ranging from dizziness, headache, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, restlessness, sexual dysfunction, and weight gain, and it goes on to more serious conditions like tardive dyskinesia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. If you don’t know what those terms mean, you should be an informed psych patient. Tardive dyskinesia didn’t start for me with this drug, nor was I on this drug when I had a neuroleptic malignant syndrome. I will write about both of those in later posts.
The FDA's Warning on Abilify
In 2015, the FDA added a black box warning to Abilify, its most robust advisory, due to the much more “colorful” side effects. 2800 lawsuits were filed against Bristol Squibb for their drug having caused compulsive behaviors like pathologic gambling, binge eating, sex addiction, and excessive shopping. I developed a love-hate relationship with blackjack.
The Principle of Informed Consent: A Patient's Right
Patients have the right to understand the implications of treatment to make an informed decision - a principle known as "informed consent." It's crucial for patients to feel empowered to ask questions about their medication, its side effects, or its purpose.
Speaking Up: The Role of Accountability in Prescription
Concerns about personal experiences with any medication should be communicated with the healthcare provider. Patients also have the right to seek a second opinion and the option to report their experiences to the FDA or a local health regulatory body.
Navigating Mental Health: A Complex Task
Treating mental health often requires a comprehensive approach combining medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and other interventions. As mental health problems plague larger groups of society, people are beginning to be more transparent about their mental struggles and changing social norms, psychedelics are on the very near horizon of mental health treatment.
Conclusion: A Call for Transparency and Patient Empowerment
The three-month injection of Abilify is a newer drug formulation designed to be more convenient for patients. However, it is essential to note that the injection has no new warnings or safety information. The same risks and side effects associated with the oral form of Abilify also apply to the injection. Medications like Abilify can be a complex and personal journey for you and your healthcare provider to work through. As my experience shows, transparency about medication and its effects is vital, and patients must be empowered to take an active role in their treatment decisions.