The Dangers of Stopping Abilify Cold Turkey

Abilify (aripiprazole) is an atypical antipsychotic medication that is commonly prescribed to treat bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, and other mental health conditions. It works by adjusting the levels of certain chemicals in the brain like dopamine and serotonin. While Abilify can be very effective when taken as directed, quitting it abruptly or “cold turkey” can lead to some significant withdrawal symptoms. In this article, we’ll explore why you should never stop taking Abilify cold turkey and how to safely taper off the medication if needed.

How Abilify Works in the Brain

To understand why suddenly stopping Abilify is risky, it helps to first understand what this medication does in the brain. Abilify is what’s known as a “dopamine system stabilizer” meaning it binds to dopamine receptors and balances dopamine activity. Dopamine is one of the “feel good” neurotransmitters responsible for motivation, pleasure, and emotional regulation

Abilify is also a partial agonist at serotonin receptors Serotonin is the key neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, appetite, and cognition By modulating serotonin, Abilify can lift depression and stabilize mood in bipolar disorder.

When you take Abilify regularly, your brain becomes accustomed to these effects on dopamine and serotonin. If the medication is suddenly removed, it can throw your neurotransmitters out of balance, leading to withdrawal symptoms both physical and psychological.

Why You Should Never Quit Abilify Cold Turkey

It’s understandable that some people taking Abilify may eventually want to stop using it. Perhaps it’s causing unpleasant side effects, or they feel like they don’t need the medication anymore. However, it’s crucial to emphasis that quitting Abilify or any psychiatric medication cold turkey is never advisable.

Stopping Abilify abruptly can trigger symptoms like:

• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Irritability or agitation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Insomnia
• Confusion and cognitive issues
• Hallucinations or delusions
• Suicidal thoughts

These effects can range from mild to quite severe depending on the person. For someone who has been on Abilify for a long time or at a high dosage, suddenly quitting can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Even if withdrawal effects seem relatively mild at first, they can worsen over the following days and weeks without medical oversight.

It’s also critical to note that abruptly stopping any antipsychotic medicine can trigger neurological side effects like involuntary, jerky muscle movements. Called tardive dyskinesia, this condition can be permanent in some cases. To avoid this serious risk, psychiatrists stress that antipsychotics must always be slowly tapered under medical supervision.

The Safest Way to Stop Taking Abilify

Now that we’ve examined why it’s critical not to stop this antipsychotic medication cold turkey, let’s discuss the safe way to taper off Abilify if desired. This process should always be undertaken with the guidance and monitoring of the prescribing doctor. They will create a customized schedule for slowly lowering the Abilify dose over a period of weeks or months until you can safely stop the medication entirely.

Exactly how long this tapering process takes varies from person to person and depends on factors like:

• How long you’ve been taking Abilify
• The dosage you were on
• Your age and overall health
• Other medications you may be using

For example, someone who has been on a low dose of Abilify for 6 months may be able to taper off within 4-6 weeks. On the other hand, discontinuing after taking a higher dose for several years requires a much slower taper of 2 months or longer.

During the Abilify tapering period, your doctor will closely monitor you for any withdrawal symptoms and can adjust the pace as needed. They may also recommend coping strategies to ease this transition. Getting enough rest, eating nutritious foods, staying hydrated, exercising, and using psychotherapy can all help manage discomfort and avoid complications.

Have an honest discussion with your psychiatrist about why you wish to stop taking Abilify, and voice any concerns about the process. With their guidance, patience, and the right taper schedule for your situation, you can successfully discontinue Abilify without the dangers of sudden withdrawal.

What to Expect When Stopping Abilify

Even with a gradual taper, some people will still experience some Abilify withdrawal effects. However, properly discontinuing Abilify under medical supervision can help minimize discomfort. Here’s a general timeline of what to expect when stopping this medication:

First 1-2 Weeks

In the first couple weeks of tapering Abilify, some common symptoms can include:

• Mild anxiety, irritability or agitation
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Light dizziness
• Fatigue

Weeks 3-4

During this time frame, possible Abilify withdrawal effects might include:

• Worsening anxiety or depression
• Problems concentrating
• Insomnia and sleep disturbances
• Lack of motivation

Weeks 5-6

In the later stages of Abilify discontinuation, some people experience:

• Mood swings or emotional instability
• Panic attacks
• Paranoia or suspicious thoughts
• Tremors or muscle spasms

Again, sticking closely to the tapering schedule and getting medical support can keep these withdrawal effects minimal and manageable. Be very open with your doctor about all symptoms you’re experiencing so they can make adjustments as needed. With their guidance, you can get through the process smoothly and transition to a medication-free treatment plan if that’s your goal.

Seeking Medical Help for Abilify Withdrawal

If you have stopped taking Abilify abruptly, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical assistance. Suddenly quitting Abilify can have serious health risks that require monitoring and treatment. Inform your psychiatrist about stopping the medication and the withdrawal symptoms you’re experiencing.

Be very honest about any unusual physical or psychological changes. Don’t hesitate to call emergency services or go to an ER if you have severe symptoms like:

• Extreme anxiety, agitation, or panic
• Suicidal or violent thoughts
• Hallucinations or delusions
• Uncontrollable muscle movements
• Racing heartbeat, hypertension

Your doctor can provide medications and therapy to stabilize your condition and safely restart Abilify or another antipsychotic medication to avoid prolonged withdrawal effects. They will create a proper tapering schedule for you to follow going forward.

There are also some remedies that may help relieve mild Abilify withdrawal discomfort under medical guidance:

• Staying hydrated and eating nutritious foods
• Avoiding caffeine and other stimulants
• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers as needed
• Using antiemetic medicine for nausea/vomiting
• Trying relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing
• Getting psychotherapy and participating in support groups

However, these will not be sufficient if you are experiencing moderate to severe Abilify withdrawal. Professional treatment is required for a safe recovery. Be honest with your doctor about all of your symptoms and the fact that you quit Abilify abruptly so you can get the help you need.

How to Avoid Triggering Withdrawal Side Effects

Once you have safely tapered off of Abilify, there are some important steps you can take to avoid experiencing recurrences of withdrawal symptoms:

• Don’t miss doses when tapering or restart Abilify – Skipping doses can trigger withdrawal.

• Communicate with your doctor – Discuss any uncomfortable effects promptly so they can adjust your tapering schedule.

• Make lifestyle changes – Eat healthy, exercise, and use stress-relieving strategies to help minimize symptoms.

• Consider psychotherapy – Counseling can provide support in managing mood or behavior changes.

• Avoid drugs and alcohol – These substances can worsen withdrawal effects.

• Ask about medications – Your doctor may prescribe non-addictive medications to briefly help with specific symptoms like insomnia or nausea during withdrawal.

• Check in with your doctor – After stopping Abilify completely, follow up regularly to discuss your mental health and any medication needs.

By closely following your doctor’s advice and not stopping Abilify suddenly, the tapering process should go smoothly. However, if you do experience withdrawal effects, don’t hesitate to call your doctor so they can adjust your treatment plan and get your symptoms under control.

The Takeaway – Don’t Quit Abilify Cold Turkey

While Abilify can improve many psychiatric symptoms, it does require careful attention when discontinuing the medication to avoid withdrawal risks. Stopping Abilify abruptly can cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe – and in rare cases – even life-threatening. To safely taper off this antipsychotic, have an open discussion with the prescribing psychiatrist to create a customized discontinuation schedule that’s ideal for your situation. Stick closely to the tapering regimen, report any discomfort, and get medical help immediately if you experience severe reactions. With your doctor’s guidance and oversight, you can successfully transition off of Abilify. Just remember – quitting cold turkey should always be avoided with psychiatric medications.