Expert: Ivan Goldberg, M.D. - 5/10/2011

Question
my niece is affraid to take abilify for bi polar 2mg. as prescribed by her physciatrist because she is allergice to serotonin, and she has had so many bad experiences with other drugs.  she is looking for some reassurance that abilify won't flip her out like some of the otherones

Answer
Hi Gloria . . .

I have never heard of anyone being allergic to serotonin but I have treated many patients who cannot take SSRIs (such as Prozac) because they became agitated, anxious or manic when they take them.

Abilify is an antipsychotic drug that reduces hallucinations and delusions. I would not prescribe such a drug for a patient without those symptoms. The major reason to avoid antipsychotic medications is their ability to induce a movement disorder known as tardive dyskinesia. You might Google "tardive dyskinesia" to learn more about this side effect.

For the control of the mood swings caused by bipolar disorder some combination of lithium, Depakote, Tegretol, Lamictal and or Trileptal is usually used.

Best regards . . .

Ivan
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