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Are Fluoxetine And Abilify Right Choice Of Medicines For Depression?
Question: Hello,
I am a 67 year old male. What can I take besides abilify? I t is around $500 each perscription. I also take 60 mg fluoxetine. There has to be something cheaper. What would 80 mg fluoxetine do?
I am a 67 year old male. What can I take besides abilify? I t is around $500 each perscription. I also take 60 mg fluoxetine. There has to be something cheaper. What would 80 mg fluoxetine do?
Brief Answer:
Limited options
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns. You have been diagnosed with depression that is not fully responding to Fluoxetine, You are currently at maximum dose of fluoxetine. the reason for adding abilify is that the combination works well to reduce depression. there are other medication that are similar to ablify but they are all very expensive.
Instead of using medications I might recommend that you do something called Cognitive behavioral therapy. This is a type of positive thinking that helps reduce what we call distorted thinking and helps reduce the symptoms of depression. It has been shown in numerous studies that doing CBT is as effective as adding medication to current therapy. I recommend for my patients the "The Feel Good Handbook" by Dr. Burns. I have used it with numerous patients and it does help. You must do the handbook and use the techniques in it to get benefit. You can't just read the book you need to actually do the assignments and do the home work. Give it a try.
Your other option is to talk to your provider about changing your medication to an SNRI like Effexor or Cymbalta. These work in the brain on different neurotransmitters and may help your depression too.
In summary
1. Abilify options are just as expensive
2. Stop abilify and try CBT
3. Get the book "The Feel Good Handbook" by Dr. Burns
4. Try switching to and SNRI like Effexor or Cymbalta
I hope I answered your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care concerns or questions. You may contact me again if you have any additional questions or comments
Limited options
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns. You have been diagnosed with depression that is not fully responding to Fluoxetine, You are currently at maximum dose of fluoxetine. the reason for adding abilify is that the combination works well to reduce depression. there are other medication that are similar to ablify but they are all very expensive.
Instead of using medications I might recommend that you do something called Cognitive behavioral therapy. This is a type of positive thinking that helps reduce what we call distorted thinking and helps reduce the symptoms of depression. It has been shown in numerous studies that doing CBT is as effective as adding medication to current therapy. I recommend for my patients the "The Feel Good Handbook" by Dr. Burns. I have used it with numerous patients and it does help. You must do the handbook and use the techniques in it to get benefit. You can't just read the book you need to actually do the assignments and do the home work. Give it a try.
Your other option is to talk to your provider about changing your medication to an SNRI like Effexor or Cymbalta. These work in the brain on different neurotransmitters and may help your depression too.
In summary
1. Abilify options are just as expensive
2. Stop abilify and try CBT
3. Get the book "The Feel Good Handbook" by Dr. Burns
4. Try switching to and SNRI like Effexor or Cymbalta
I hope I answered your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care concerns or questions. You may contact me again if you have any additional questions or comments
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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