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What Is The Half Life Of Vraylar?
Question: I have Bipolar I, mixed and am trying the new drug Vraylar. Not many people have tried it. 2 weeks ago, my pdoc started me on Vraylar at 1.5, then 3 mg the next day. At first I took it in the morning and discovered that I was tired and lethargic and unmotivated during the day. I switched to taking it at night, and I felt better during the day, but was still having some anxiety and depressed mood. It seems that I was experiencing what the medicine is suppose to address: agitated depression. I felt irritable and depressed some. I was also taking clonazepam 2mg at night and Adderall 15 mg 3 - 4 times a day. I have Zyprexa 5 mg as a rescue drug and have had to take it. I hate the way Zyprexa makes me feel, but it does help so much with the irritability and depression. I don't know what to do. I don't know how long to stick it out with the symptoms I am having. It seems that I would be getting better and moving towards not feeling depressed and agitated. I know it has a long half-life. How long is the half-life? And what do you recommend I do? Stick with it longer? or try something else? Or add something to it for now until it kicks in?
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
It will take about 4 weeks for Vraylar to take full effect. Until then, anything you experience could be an early side effect of your body adjusting to the medication. I would continue taking it at night. If after 4 weeks you are still not feeling better, you can consider switching to a different atypical antipsychotic such as Latuda or Saphris. I will also add that your agitation and irritability could well be caused by the Adderall you are taking. I would strongly encourage stopped the Adderall until your mood stabilizes. Furthermore, Klonopin can cause depressed mood, fatigue, and lethargy when used at high doses such as the dose you are taking. I would talk with your doctor about discontinuing Klonopin to avoid feeling tired, lethargic, and depressed.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
It will take about 4 weeks for Vraylar to take full effect. Until then, anything you experience could be an early side effect of your body adjusting to the medication. I would continue taking it at night. If after 4 weeks you are still not feeling better, you can consider switching to a different atypical antipsychotic such as Latuda or Saphris. I will also add that your agitation and irritability could well be caused by the Adderall you are taking. I would strongly encourage stopped the Adderall until your mood stabilizes. Furthermore, Klonopin can cause depressed mood, fatigue, and lethargy when used at high doses such as the dose you are taking. I would talk with your doctor about discontinuing Klonopin to avoid feeling tired, lethargic, and depressed.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Dr. Sheppe!
Thank you for advising me. I have really struggled with bipolar mixed for 30 years now. The meds have improved quite a bit over the years. I want this Vraylar to work. Thank you for helping me think in ways that will help me give the drug a chance and for the advice on Adderall and clonazepam.
XXXXX
Thank you for advising me. I have really struggled with bipolar mixed for 30 years now. The meds have improved quite a bit over the years. I want this Vraylar to work. Thank you for helping me think in ways that will help me give the drug a chance and for the advice on Adderall and clonazepam.
XXXXX
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer: XXXXXXX you are very welcome!
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Followup
Detailed Answer: XXXXXXX you are very welcome!
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Answered by
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