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Does Abilify And Lunesta Taken For Swollen Hands,feet And Legs Have Any Side Effects?

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Posted on Mon, 20 Jan 2014
Question: I have had swollen hands, feet & legs since taking Abilify & Lunesta. Should I be concerned or is it a side effect?
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Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer: May be due to hypertension, need to revise drugs Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX I have read your question carefully and can see that you are 69 yrs old, known hypertensive and are on multiple drugs ( doses are not mentioned). Currently you are concerned about swollen legs, hands and feet and you relate that with side effect of ablify or lunesta. You have mentioned that you have these side effect since you started with these two medicines. The symptoms you have mentioned- swelling in hands , legs and feet: are commonly related to either some cardiac cause ( eg. hypertension ) or may be kidney problems ( and a hypertensive patients can have one). It is usually unlikely to be seen with the use of the two medicines you suspect. They might have started with the use of Ablify or lunesta, but it can be a coincidence. I have seen that you are on 2 medicines for controlling blood pressure ( triamteren, bystolic). Firtsly- I suspect that may be the blood pressure is still not controlled properly and you are having water retention- swelling in these parts of body. So, I would suggest you to please get your BP checked, and also get the kidney function test done. Secondly, I would like to point out that you are on imipramine. This is a Tricyclic antidepressant and not preferred for someone of your age, and it is best avoided in cardiac patients ( like the one who has hypertension). This can be one of the reasons that there are problems. So, please see your doctor and discuss these points, get investigations. #### Ablify is a good antipsychotic, has fewer side effect and even weight gain is also less with it. Such side effect are not seen with its use and eszopiclone ( lunesta) is a mild sedative, dosent look like to be related to theses side effects. Seroquel , is also a good antipsychotic, may cause weight gain... I also cannot understand why you are on two antipsychotics ( ability and Seroquel), you should also discuss it with your psychiatrist- -- if it is possible for you to be on any one, and --regarding continuation of imipramine. He would know how to move ahead. Hope the reply helps you in getting well. Please feel free to ask more questions if you need clarification for something. If you are satisfied, kindly rate the answer. Dr. Manisha Gopal MD Psychiatry
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Dr. Manisha Gopal

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 947 Questions

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Does Abilify And Lunesta Taken For Swollen Hands,feet And Legs Have Any Side Effects?

Brief Answer: May be due to hypertension, need to revise drugs Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX I have read your question carefully and can see that you are 69 yrs old, known hypertensive and are on multiple drugs ( doses are not mentioned). Currently you are concerned about swollen legs, hands and feet and you relate that with side effect of ablify or lunesta. You have mentioned that you have these side effect since you started with these two medicines. The symptoms you have mentioned- swelling in hands , legs and feet: are commonly related to either some cardiac cause ( eg. hypertension ) or may be kidney problems ( and a hypertensive patients can have one). It is usually unlikely to be seen with the use of the two medicines you suspect. They might have started with the use of Ablify or lunesta, but it can be a coincidence. I have seen that you are on 2 medicines for controlling blood pressure ( triamteren, bystolic). Firtsly- I suspect that may be the blood pressure is still not controlled properly and you are having water retention- swelling in these parts of body. So, I would suggest you to please get your BP checked, and also get the kidney function test done. Secondly, I would like to point out that you are on imipramine. This is a Tricyclic antidepressant and not preferred for someone of your age, and it is best avoided in cardiac patients ( like the one who has hypertension). This can be one of the reasons that there are problems. So, please see your doctor and discuss these points, get investigations. #### Ablify is a good antipsychotic, has fewer side effect and even weight gain is also less with it. Such side effect are not seen with its use and eszopiclone ( lunesta) is a mild sedative, dosent look like to be related to theses side effects. Seroquel , is also a good antipsychotic, may cause weight gain... I also cannot understand why you are on two antipsychotics ( ability and Seroquel), you should also discuss it with your psychiatrist- -- if it is possible for you to be on any one, and --regarding continuation of imipramine. He would know how to move ahead. Hope the reply helps you in getting well. Please feel free to ask more questions if you need clarification for something. If you are satisfied, kindly rate the answer. Dr. Manisha Gopal MD Psychiatry