Antipsychotics-Maintenance vs. Stopping Episode

[dragonfly79]

Hello, all.

 

I have a general question about antipsychotics, specifically regarding their use managing Bipolar 1 with psychotic features, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia.

 

I have read that some antipsychotics have a stronger antipsychotic effect than others. Which meds are stronger for this, and which ones weaker?

 

I have responded very well to most antipsychotics I have taken, including Abilify twice when I was slowly transitioned from Risperdal to Abilify. However, once when I was switching from Seroquel XR back to Abilify, my doctor instructed that I stop the Seroquel XR and take the Abilify with no titration. I quickly went into a manic and psychotic episode. We kept raising the dose of Abilify, but to no avail. I ended up being hospitalized for ten days.

 

I am wondering if sometimes certain medications work better at maintaining a balanced state than they do at ending severe symptoms during an episode.

 

I have heard that Abilify can take longer than other antipsychotics to work, and I think having no cross-titration was a bad idea. I no longer have that doctor, and my current doctor does not want to make a judgment call on that.

 

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

Thank you!

[CeremonyNewOrder]

I think it all depends on how you individually respond to the drug.

For instance, some people only take zyprexa during episodes because they get bad side effects but I get no side effects from zyprexa and can use it as a maintenance drug.

[crtclms]

I use risperdal in crises only. Then after I am more stable, I usually stay on it a couple more months, then titrate off of it.

[melissaw72]

Abilify took about 7-8 weeks to work for me and it works really well.  My pdoc titrated up to my current dose.

 

But as to which works better/stronger, I think it depends on the person.