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What Is The Dosage Of Saphris For Bipolar Disorder?

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Posted on Thu, 5 Feb 2015
Question: Hi I have been on saphris 10 mg at night for a couple of years but this last month I stopped, after I stopped I didn't do so well, I still have the medication, can you please suggest the recommendations for me to take this medication so I'm back on track,
Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You should start with half tablet a day

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

Saphris is Asenapine and the drug is an antipsychotic drug with mood stabilizer effects. Abrupt stoppage of drug results in withdrawal symptoms and also relapses of symptoms.

If symptoms become severe and result in impairment of functioning then best thing is to start drug again. As you were taking 10 mg a day so you can start with half tablet a night (5 mg) for about a couple of weeks and then can increase the dose depending upon clinical symptoms. This will prevent any withdrawal symptoms and will also improve sleep. This will bring you back on track.

Don't forget to take detailed prescription from your psychiatrist before making any change.

Thanks, don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (8 hours later)
After I stopped taking the medicine I stopped doing good and my whole body aches is this a sign of medication withdrawl, Are you sure I should only take a half tablet daily because once before I was off my medication and I remember my Dr. saying to take a large amount of the medicine because she wanted it to boost my brain.
Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Doses should be increased slowly

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking a follow up question

No taking large amount of drug will not be beneficial, instead high doses may result in side effects. Every psychoactive drug doses should be upped slowly and in the similar fashion should be tapered gradually. So as per my opinion you should start with low dose again and then gradually increase the dose as per prescription if needed. There is nothing like boosting brain with high dose with this drug. Going up slowly will not result in side effects of drug and it will also reduce withdrawal symptoms.

Hope this helps, please ask again if you have more doubts.

Thanks, take care.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5192 Questions

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What Is The Dosage Of Saphris For Bipolar Disorder?

Brief Answer: You should start with half tablet a day Detailed Answer: Hello thanks for asking from HCM Saphris is Asenapine and the drug is an antipsychotic drug with mood stabilizer effects. Abrupt stoppage of drug results in withdrawal symptoms and also relapses of symptoms. If symptoms become severe and result in impairment of functioning then best thing is to start drug again. As you were taking 10 mg a day so you can start with half tablet a night (5 mg) for about a couple of weeks and then can increase the dose depending upon clinical symptoms. This will prevent any withdrawal symptoms and will also improve sleep. This will bring you back on track. Don't forget to take detailed prescription from your psychiatrist before making any change. Thanks, don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.