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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is It Advisable To Replace Lexapro With Abilify For Spasmodic Depression?

My 17 year old daughter has off and on depression. She began therapy about 6 weeks ago and finds it helpful. The nurse practitioner (without talking to the counselor) prescribed 10 mg abilify and says he wants her tested for Add. I am not comfortable with this. He had her on Lexapro and she feels better, but is it due ti the therapy or the Lexapro/ I do not know. She also has had trouble sleeping for years. She is a great student and likes school. Am I wrong to have a problem with this new prescription?
Thu, 4 Jun 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from Health Care Magic for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Abilify or Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic drug. The drug is also used as mood stabiliser and sometimes in patients of ADD for control of impulsive symptoms. Lexapro is Escitalopram and the drug is a one of most commonly used antidepressant drug. The drug is known to reduce depressive symptoms but if she has ADD then I am afraid the drug wouldn't help much. Aripiprazole can also help in depression but it is not a first like antidepressant drug. So I would advise you to take her to a psychiatrist as soon as you can to confirm her diagnosis of depression or ADD and then she can be treated accordingly. Till then in my opinion you should give her Abilify as per prescription.

Thanks, I hope this helps you. Take care

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi,
Psychiatrist
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Is It Advisable To Replace Lexapro With Abilify For Spasmodic Depression?

Hello thanks for asking from Health Care Magic for your health related queries I can understand your concern. Abilify or Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic drug. The drug is also used as mood stabiliser and sometimes in patients of ADD for control of impulsive symptoms. Lexapro is Escitalopram and the drug is a one of most commonly used antidepressant drug. The drug is known to reduce depressive symptoms but if she has ADD then I am afraid the drug wouldn t help much. Aripiprazole can also help in depression but it is not a first like antidepressant drug. So I would advise you to take her to a psychiatrist as soon as you can to confirm her diagnosis of depression or ADD and then she can be treated accordingly. Till then in my opinion you should give her Abilify as per prescription. Thanks, I hope this helps you. Take care Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, Psychiatrist