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Suggest Treatment For Depression While On Aripiprazole
Question: I am feeling depressed. I am already on Aripiprazole 20 mg. Please advise.
Brief Answer:
Please let me know details of symproms
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query understand your concerns.
Before moving to advice part please provide details of your symptoms as word depression is often used loosely in different contexts. I need t clarify here that aripiprazole is not an antidepressant medication and not much role of it in treatment of depression.
1. What are the problems you are facing like sadness, decreased sleep, appetite suspiciousness, fearfulness, restlessness, etc?
2. How long you have problem?
3. If it is for long duration let me know number of episodes till date and current episode duration.
4. What other medication you received till date and their response.
5. Do you have any other medical illness, if yes details
Once this information received I will advice you accordingly.
Thanks and regards.
Please let me know details of symproms
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query understand your concerns.
Before moving to advice part please provide details of your symptoms as word depression is often used loosely in different contexts. I need t clarify here that aripiprazole is not an antidepressant medication and not much role of it in treatment of depression.
1. What are the problems you are facing like sadness, decreased sleep, appetite suspiciousness, fearfulness, restlessness, etc?
2. How long you have problem?
3. If it is for long duration let me know number of episodes till date and current episode duration.
4. What other medication you received till date and their response.
5. Do you have any other medical illness, if yes details
Once this information received I will advice you accordingly.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Doctor I am undergoing treatment for schizophrenia also because of which I am taking the Aripiprazole. Now I am feeling depressed and sad and as if 'erazed'. I have been feeling like this for the last week. This is the worst depressed I have felt in a long time. I am 53, male, and have no other problems. Thanks.
Brief Answer:
There is option of increasing the dose or combining antidepressant
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back to me and sorry for delayed reply.
From the provided information it appears that you are suffering with post psychotic depression. First of all I like to tell you that it is part of schizophrenia to some extent and similarly treatable.
There are two options in its management.
First is use of antidepressant at therapeutic dose. The commonly employed antidepressant in this regard are escitalopram 10 mg or sertraline 100 per day although almost all antidepressant can be used for this purpose for a duration of 4-6 weeks and than a call for discontinuation can be taken.
The second option is to increase the dose of existing antipsychotic. In your case we can increase the aripiprazole to 30 mg per day from current level of 20 mg per day.
Since both the options need prescription from a local doctor you are requested to see your doctor and discuss the available options.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.
There is option of increasing the dose or combining antidepressant
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back to me and sorry for delayed reply.
From the provided information it appears that you are suffering with post psychotic depression. First of all I like to tell you that it is part of schizophrenia to some extent and similarly treatable.
There are two options in its management.
First is use of antidepressant at therapeutic dose. The commonly employed antidepressant in this regard are escitalopram 10 mg or sertraline 100 per day although almost all antidepressant can be used for this purpose for a duration of 4-6 weeks and than a call for discontinuation can be taken.
The second option is to increase the dose of existing antipsychotic. In your case we can increase the aripiprazole to 30 mg per day from current level of 20 mg per day.
Since both the options need prescription from a local doctor you are requested to see your doctor and discuss the available options.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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