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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Taking Abilify. Difficulty Concentrating. Side Effects Of Long Term Usage?

yes! I have been on abilify for a few mnths now, and was wondering does this sort of drug reduce balance in the mind and slow down certain functions within the brain. reason being... I have had great difficulty concentrating on my swimming . I think:- this causes me to slow up on certain aspects of exercise, knowing that this is one of the key needs for me trying to control my weight. Knowing this is an anti psychotic drug i was wondering what side effects this tablet may have within the long course of me taking this? I also, have my own psychiatrist , nurse etc! and they see me on a regular basis, i am not sure this tablet is fit for me taking, abut they have assured me that it will do some good in the near future. I keep on taking a chain the abilify, roughly approx:- 28 tabs to the box and once i finish taking one course i continue to have repeat prescriptions to follow on the course with full effect. I think this tablet plays havoc with the functions of the brain. And i would like to get some expert advice as to why this drug is so enhanced, and what gives you this sort of unstable effect.
Mon, 18 Mar 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Abilify is Ariprazole, an atypical antipsychotic drug used to treat conditions like Bipolar disorder & Schizophrenia. This drug acts on areas in brain responsible for behavior & psychosis. Compared to other drugs of this group, it results in minimal side effects & so don't worry.
Long term treatment is needed for effective management of symptoms. So, prolonged treatment is necessary for you.
It has vey low propensity to cause side effects that are commonly seen with other atypical antipsychotic drugs like weight gain, sedation, parkinsonism like symptoms & low BP.
Though it is supposed to improve some domains of cognition like memory, attention, learning & reasoning, this ability of Aripiprazole, in improving cognition is not seen in all individuals taking it & in them it does not improve the impaired performance and judgement that's why you feel this way.
Slowing of movements is one of its therapeutic benefits. By slowing the movements in helps in greater synchronization of activities & in that way it may actually help you to concentrate better in your activities like swimming.
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Taking Abilify. Difficulty Concentrating. Side Effects Of Long Term Usage?

Abilify is Ariprazole, an atypical antipsychotic drug used to treat conditions like Bipolar disorder & Schizophrenia. This drug acts on areas in brain responsible for behavior & psychosis. Compared to other drugs of this group, it results in minimal side effects & so don t worry. Long term treatment is needed for effective management of symptoms. So, prolonged treatment is necessary for you. It has vey low propensity to cause side effects that are commonly seen with other atypical antipsychotic drugs like weight gain, sedation, parkinsonism like symptoms & low BP. Though it is supposed to improve some domains of cognition like memory, attention, learning & reasoning, this ability of Aripiprazole, in improving cognition is not seen in all individuals taking it & in them it does not improve the impaired performance and judgement that s why you feel this way. Slowing of movements is one of its therapeutic benefits. By slowing the movements in helps in greater synchronization of activities & in that way it may actually help you to concentrate better in your activities like swimming.