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How does Aripiprazole (Abilify) work?
I'm a student psychiatric nurse in the UK and I've noticed that quite a few clients are treated with Aripiprazole if they haven't had success with the standard atypicals (Olanzapine, Risperidone, etc.). However, looking at the pharmocology of this drug, I can't understand why it would work for individuals suffering from psychosis.
As I understand it, both typical and atypical APs work as an antagonist at various dopamine receptor sites (specifically D2). However, Ariprprazole acts as a partial agonist of the D2 receptor.
Isn't an agonist a chemical that binds to a receptor site and acts like a naturally occuring chemical, in this case it would be dopamine. Surely then Ariprprazole would not lower psychotic symptoms, or does it work by mimicking dopamine but not having the result i.e. hallucination, delusions, etc..
4 Answers
- DrGaellonLv 51 decade agoFavorite Answer
It's a partial agonist; it doesn't stimulate the receptor as strongly as the natural agonist does, so you only get a percentage of the response. Since it also blocks the natural agonist from accessing the receptor, it effectively reduces the signal, just like lowering the level of the natural agonist would.
- myraLv 45 years ago
I actual have been on Abilify for a splash over 4 years now. i've got self belief that it has helped stabilize my moods, yet I do could desire to take an anti-depressant alongside with it, in any different case i've got self belief "down" each and every of the time. As for part effects, it has raised my suger levels in my blood and has probably made me strengthen borderline diabetes and poly-cystic ovarian syndrome. I purely say "probably" with the aid of fact the medical doctors are nevertheless undecided if it strengthen into from being on Abilify for see you later and are nevertheless testing to work out if I actual have those 2 circumstances.
- 1 decade ago
Hello. I was treated very briefly with Abilify in 2003 -- it was an absolute nightmare. I had previously been on Seroquel (300 mg) for about a year and had complained of light-headedness so the psychiatrist suggested I try Abilify instead. Abilify was much, much worse...I felt like my mind was in a dense and impenetrable fog. Subsequently I switched back to Seroquel and have been on around 350 mgs every since.
