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Is It Safe To Stop Abilify Abruptly Without Tapering It?
Question: My father is in a VA nursing home . When he first came there he was exflexline with abilify sometimes. They changed him to Cymbalta in a days time without any tapering. Then they changed him back to exflexine with abilify and remron to bridge him back to the exflexlor. Just the othe day they took him off the abilify without tapering. /I am so concerned about all of this.
Brief Answer:
it could cause destabilisation of illness.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I understand your concerns for your father.
Dear,
In my opinion, this abrupt switching of drugs can destabilise his illness.
Switching abruptly between antipsychotics and antidepressants can lead to agitation, irritability, insomnia and mood swings.
It would be great if you could describe his symptoms here. This would help me to guide you better.
What reasons are his doctors giving for change of drugs?
Hope to hear from you soon.
Take care.
Thanks.
it could cause destabilisation of illness.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I understand your concerns for your father.
Dear,
In my opinion, this abrupt switching of drugs can destabilise his illness.
Switching abruptly between antipsychotics and antidepressants can lead to agitation, irritability, insomnia and mood swings.
It would be great if you could describe his symptoms here. This would help me to guide you better.
What reasons are his doctors giving for change of drugs?
Hope to hear from you soon.
Take care.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello, thank you for your response. My father was on Effexor 225 and abilify 22.
n January he was changed tocymbalta30mm because he was still complaining about being depressed. My father said it wasn't really helping and he didn't like how it was making him feel. They changed him back to Effexor with remoran and abilify as briges to get him back to 225. they took him off the abilify a few weeks ago His behavior has become aggressive, seems paranoid, saying " I have to protect myself".My brother is his executor and is threatening to call his lawyer and take him off and put me first. He called the bank and had his account closed and opened a new one with a new atm card, that he plans to keep in a lock drawer in his room, tho he can't open it because of his hands . He said he would have a friend to help him...remember he is in a nursing home. It all just doesn't make sense . ....yes he and my brother had a falling out, but his behavior just doesn't make sense ... making rash decisions
n January he was changed tocymbalta30mm because he was still complaining about being depressed. My father said it wasn't really helping and he didn't like how it was making him feel. They changed him back to Effexor with remoran and abilify as briges to get him back to 225. they took him off the abilify a few weeks ago His behavior has become aggressive, seems paranoid, saying " I have to protect myself".My brother is his executor and is threatening to call his lawyer and take him off and put me first. He called the bank and had his account closed and opened a new one with a new atm card, that he plans to keep in a lock drawer in his room, tho he can't open it because of his hands . He said he would have a friend to help him...remember he is in a nursing home. It all just doesn't make sense . ....yes he and my brother had a falling out, but his behavior just doesn't make sense ... making rash decisions
Brief Answer:
probably psychotic symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
Thanks for the details.
He is not responding to effexor. He did not like cymbalta. Now When abilify is stopped, he has become paranoid and aggressive. He is talking things which does not make any sense.
I think he illness more than just depression.
At late ages (say after 70s), psychotic symptoms develop commonly.
Paranoia and aggressiveness point towards psychotic behavioral agitation.
In my opinion, he needs antipsychotic drugs more than effexor or cymbalta.
If his symptoms were improving with abilify, he must continue with it.
Otherwise, drugs like risperidone (prescription drug) should be given.
No psychotropic medication should be stopped abruptly.
Kindly discuss this with your doctor.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Regards.
probably psychotic symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
Thanks for the details.
He is not responding to effexor. He did not like cymbalta. Now When abilify is stopped, he has become paranoid and aggressive. He is talking things which does not make any sense.
I think he illness more than just depression.
At late ages (say after 70s), psychotic symptoms develop commonly.
Paranoia and aggressiveness point towards psychotic behavioral agitation.
In my opinion, he needs antipsychotic drugs more than effexor or cymbalta.
If his symptoms were improving with abilify, he must continue with it.
Otherwise, drugs like risperidone (prescription drug) should be given.
No psychotropic medication should be stopped abruptly.
Kindly discuss this with your doctor.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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